CODING SPEC III - OUTPATIENT

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas seeks a skilled Medical Records Coder to code retrospective outpatient accounts using ICD-10-CM and CPT in line with Official Coding Guidelines. The ideal candidate has 3 years of acute hospital coding experience and relevant credentials. Licenses such as RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CPC (or equivalent) are preferred.

A related degree (AS/Bachelor in HIM) is advantageous. This role emphasizes accuracy, productivity, and professional mentorship within a collaborative

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: 3 years of acute hospital based coding experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Licenses/Certifications: RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CPC-H or CIRCC or other recognized coding credentials.
• Preferred: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Code retrospective outpatient accounts using ICD-10-CM and CPT in compliance with Official Coding Guidelines.
• Identify the appropriate Reason for Visit, Primary Diagnosis, Procedures, Modifiers, and secondary diagnoses to support medical necessity.
• Abstract required data elements including discharge disposition, procedure dates, and physician information.
• Review denials queues and provide recommendations to Coding Manager as needed.
• Determine when physician queries are needed and route documentation gaps accordingly.
• Maintain quality and productivity standards set by UTSW HIM Coding.
• Mentor/train colleagues on designated coding service lines.

Skills

Acute hospital coding

Remote work experience

Mentoring

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's or Bachelor's in Health Information Management

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education

High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Experience

3 years of acute hospital based coding experience or
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Licenses and Certifications

(RHIA) REGD HEALTH INFO ADMINIST or
(RHIT) REGD HEALTH INFO TECHNOLO or
(CCS) CERT CODING SPECIALIST or
(COC) Certified Outpatient Coding or
(CPC) CERT PROFESSIONAL CODER or
AAPC Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H) or
(CIRCC) Cert Inter Rad Cardio Coder

Preferred

• Education

Associate's Degree in Health Information Management and/or closely related field or
Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Management and/or closely related field

• Experience

Experience working in a remote environment preferred; required for PRN Coders.

JOB DUTIES

• Responsible for coding retrospective outpatient accounts using ICD-10 CM and CPT, in compliance with the Official Coding Guidelines and conventions.
• Accurately identifies most appropriate Reason for Visit, First Listed (Primary) Diagnosis, Procedure(s), Modifiers, and all secondary diagnoses to accurately support medical necessity (LCD/NCD edits) and CCI edits.
• Accurately abstracts required data elements including, discharge disposition, discharge destination, procedure dates and physician(s), Occurrence Codes, and other designated data.
• May be assigned to review accounts in the denials work queues and make recommendations to the Coding Manager.
• a) Identifies when a physician query is appropriate for further clarification. b) Recognizes when the documentation is missing or incomplete and routes appropriately. c) Validates chargemaster driven CPT code assignment and routes appropriately. d) Completes review and final coding when query and/or documentation is available.
• Maintain the Quality and Productivity Standards set by UTSW/HIM Coding.
• Mentor/train on designated coding service lines as requested to ensure quality.
• Maintains an expert level of knowledge of coding related guidelines and practices.
• Other duties as assigned

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.