Clinical Documentation Specialist

Tenet Healthcare; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Abrazo Community Health Network Hospital is hiring a Clinical Documentation Specialist to improve the completeness of clinical documentation and accurately reflect patient severity and risk. You will work with physicians, case management, nursing and coding staff to clarify documentation and educate teams.

This hybrid role combines onsite and remote work, with responsibilities including documentation reviews, DRG reconciliation, and supporting coding accuracy.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of care delivery documentation systems and related medical record documents.
• Detailed knowledge of MSDRGs and OIG work plan as it relates to correct coding and MSDRG assignment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to build relationships with physicians, case management, nursing and coding staff.
• Computer skills and familiarity with basic office equipment; ability to work independently in a time‑oriented environment.
• Self-directed, motivated and positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Initiates and performs concurrent documentation reviews to clarify conditions/diagnoses and procedures with inadequate or conflicting documentation.
• Educates physicians and clinicians on documentation importance to improve code assignment; uses queries and education programs.
• Remains current with coding guidelines to ensure accuracy of codes.
• Performs ongoing CDI Final Review and DRG reconciliation; documents outcomes.
• Monitors queries and outcomes; participates in inter/intra-departmental projects.
• Collaborates with physicians as liaison between coding and clinical teams; mentors new staff.

Skills

Care documentation systems

MSDRGs & OIG guidelines

Written and verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Education

Nursing degree or AHIMA accreditation or equivalent medical education

Job description

Overview

Abrazo Community Health Network Hospital is committed to providing exceptional patient care in a supportive and collaborative environment. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work with advanced technology and be part of a healthcare community dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

At Abrazo Community Health Network, we understand that our greatest asset is our dedicated team of professionals. That’s why we offer more than a job – we provide a comprehensive benefit package that prioritizes your health, professional development, and work-life balance. The available plans and programs include:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status

Job Summary

Position Summary

This is a Hybrid position both onsite and remote.

Under general supervision of the Clinical Documentation Integrity Program Manager, the Clinical Documentation Specialist is responsible for improving overall quality and completeness of clinical documentation to accurately reflect patient severity of illness and risk of mortality through extensive interaction with physician, case management, nursing staff, other patient caregivers and coding staff. Ensures the accuracy and completeness of clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Initiates and performs concurrent documentation review of selected inpatient records to clarify conditions/diagnosis and procedures where inadequate or conflicting documentation is suspected. Meets or exceeds defined performance standards for chart reviews and queries.
• Improves coding specificity by educating physicians, clinicians, and other involved parties regarding the necessity of providing complete and clear documentation of the care provided throughout a patient’s stay. This includes capturing complications/co-morbidities during the patient’s stay. This is achieved via queries, face-to-face communications, and/or other educational programs and tools useful and necessary to achieve this goal. Serves as a resource for physicians to help link ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and medical terminology to improve accuracy of final code assignment.
• Follows guidelines for coding and documentation to ensure physician and hospital compliance. Remains current with coding information to ensure accuracy of codes assigned base on documentation. Participates in educational programs and in-services in order to maintain and exceed excellence in coding skills.
• Performs ongoing CDI Final Review/DRG Reconciliation and reports DRG mismatch disagreements for secondary review as defined.
• Performs ongoing query reconciliation as defined, with regular monitoring of query outcomes for query performance opportunities.
• Supports the Coding Department through communicating with physicians regarding open queries; acts as liaison between coding and physicians.
• Identifies, assists, and participates in inter/intra-departmental special projects involving the accuracy of physician documentation. Participates in precepting and mentoring of new team members.
• Collaborates with the Physician Advisor in identifying patterns of physician documentation issues,
• utilization/follow up of queries and education of physicians at the bedside and/or monthly meetings
• Maintains established hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Maintains confidentiality and security levels to protect medical/legal patient care documentation.
• Participates in precepting and mentoring of new team members.
• Other related job tasks or responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Special Skills
  • Knowledge of care delivery documentation systems and related medical record documents.
  • Detailed knowledge andunderstanding of MSDRGs and OIG work plan as it relates to correct coding and MSDRG assignment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communicationskills, critical thinking skills, and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with physician, case management, nursing, coding, and hospitalstaff.
  • Computer skills and familiarity with basic office equipment required. Ability to work independently in a time oriented environment.
  • Self-directed, motivated, and possess a positive attitude.
• Minimum Requirements
  • Education:Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, AHIMA accredited school, United States or international school of medicine
  • Experience:0-2 years of CDS experience and 2 years recent acute care experience in a clinical or inpatient coding setting
  • Licensure/Certifications:One of the following is required: RN, RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CIC, MD, DO, PA, NP

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Organization Description

Tenet’s hospital operations segment includes 52 acute care and specialty hospitals in nine states, as well as other facilities such as primary and specialty care clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, micro-hospitals and off-campus emergency departments. Our hospitals are well known for delivering excellent medical care and offering a complete range of services tailored to the needs of each community we serve. From preventative and diagnostic services to expertise in some of the world’s leading technologies, we work with multidisciplinary teams of physicians and healthcare professionals dedicated to the good health and well-being of our neighbors. Tenet also offers opportunities to work at the corporate level in Dallas, TX and in the markets we serve. Corporate and executive positions support the mission of the enterprise.

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
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