Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Specialist

Meritus Health; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

401k Plan

Education Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Shift Differential

Job summary

Meritus Health is seeking a Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Specialist to serve as a clinical expert, educator, and trusted resource for providers and care teams. You will lead CDI initiatives to enhance documentation accuracy, support quality outcomes, and optimize SOI and ROM capture across the organization.

You will collaborate with physicians, nursing leadership, care management, utilization review, quality teams, and other professionals to drive continuous improvement and ensure

Qualifications

• RN license in Maryland or eligibility via Nurse Licensure Compact
• CCDS or CDIP certification preferred upon hire; requires within three years
• Broad-based clinical knowledge and strong understanding of healthcare documentation practices

Responsibilities

• Conduct concurrent and retrospective medical record reviews for accuracy and compliance
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical documentation reflecting patient acuity, SOI, ROM, and outcomes
• Partner with providers and clinical teams to clarify documentation and support proper clinical representation in the EHR
• Promote documentation practices that support regulatory requirements and reimbursement integrity
• Coordinate and evaluate CDI and clinical quality initiatives across the organization
• Present findings and performance updates to leadership and stakeholders

Skills

Nursing Experience

Care Management

Utilization Review

Quality Improvement

Clinical Documentation Improvement

Acute Care Hospital Experience

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing

Bachelor’s in healthcare-related field

BSN preferred

Master’s preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Clinical software

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Specialist to serve as a clinical expert, educator, and trusted resource for providers, nursing staff, patients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams. In this role, you will lead clinical documentation improvement initiatives that enhance documentation accuracy, support quality outcomes, optimize severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM) capture, and ensure regulatory and reimbursement integrity.

The ideal candidate combines strong clinical expertise with exceptional analytical skills and a passion for improving patient outcomes through documentation excellence. You will collaborate closely with physicians, nursing leadership, care management, utilization review, quality teams, and other healthcare professionals to drive continuous improvement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct concurrent and retrospective medical record reviews to ensure documentation accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical documentation that accurately reflects patient acuity, severity of illness (SOI), risk of mortality (ROM), and quality outcomes.
• Partner with providers and clinical teams to clarify documentation and support appropriate clinical representation within the EHR.
• Promote documentation practices that support quality reporting, regulatory requirements, and reimbursement integrity.

Program Leadership & Collaboration

• Coordinate, implement, and evaluate CDI and clinical quality initiatives across the organization.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for physicians, nurses, leadership, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders to develop strategies that improve documentation performance and patient outcomes.
• Support organizational goals through process improvement and cross-functional partnerships.

Data Analysis & Performance Monitoring

• Collect, analyze, and interpret clinical, quality, and documentation-related data.
• Monitor key performance indicators and identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Develop actionable recommendations based on outcomes and performance metrics.
• Present findings and progress updates to leadership and key stakeholders.

Education & Professional Development

• Design and deliver education programs for providers, nurses, and healthcare professionals regarding documentation best practices.
• Develop targeted action plans and training initiatives based on audit findings and performance data.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, compliance, and clinical excellence.

Process Improvement

• Utilize Lean and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance workflows, quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to initiatives focused on improving value, efficiency, patient outcomes, and service excellence.
• Adapt to evolving regulatory requirements, organizational priorities, and healthcare industry trends.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor's Degree in a healthcare-related field required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Master's Degree in a healthcare-related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in:
  • Nursing
  • Care Management
  • Utilization Review
  • Quality Improvement
  • Clinical Documentation Improvement
  • Acute Care Hospital Settings
• Broad-based clinical knowledge and strong understanding of healthcare documentation practices required.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in Maryland, or eligibility through the Nurse Licensure Compact as applicable.
• CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) or CDIP (Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner) certification preferred upon hire.
• CCDS or CDIP certification required within three (3) years of hire.
• Additional specialty certification preferred.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Expertise in clinical documentation integrity, healthcare quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong critical thinking, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proven ability to influence and educate physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Advanced attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proficiency with EHR systems, clinical software applications, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of data analysis, performance improvement methodologies, and Lean principles.

Why Join Us?

As a Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Specialist, you'll play a critical role in improving documentation quality, advancing patient care outcomes, strengthening provider engagement, and supporting organizational excellence. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working alongside dedicated clinical professionals in a collaborative and innovative healthcare environment.

Join us and help shape the future of clinical documentation excellence and quality patient care!

Caring for Our Team

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well‑being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program. Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role.

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality‑driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.