Director Hospital Coding & HIM

Kootenai Hospital

Coeur d'Alene, Northern (ID, KY)

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan with company match

Wellness program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Kootenai Health seeks a Director of Coding & Health Information Management to lead hospital coding, CDI alignment, and HIM operations in an Epic environment. You will drive accuracy, compliance, and optimal reimbursement while partnering with Revenue Cycle, Finance, Quality, CDI, and Medical Staff leadership.

The role requires seven-plus years of HIM/coding leadership, RHIT/RHIA or equivalent certification, and expertise with Epic (and ideally Meditech).

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management, Health Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 7 years’ progressively responsible HIM and coding leadership experience.
RHIT and/or RHIA required within 1 year of hire; CCS/COC/CIC certification required.
Experience in Epic EHR environment; Meditech experience preferred.
Demonstrated success managing large teams and complex operations.
Strong knowledge of DRG reimbursement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Directs and oversees HIM and hospital coding operations across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, observation, and surgery.
Leads workforce planning, staffing models, productivity standards, and performance management.
Drives continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency.
Provides executive-level reporting to senior leadership and committees.
Ensures accurate ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS coding and oversees CMI performance.
Oversees release of information, documentation integrity, and privacy compliance.
Partners with CDI, Revenue Cycle, IT/Epic teams to optimize coding tools and workflows.
Ensures regulatory compliance with CMS, OIG, state regulations, and payer audits.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Data governance

DRG reimbursement knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management or related field

Master’s degree preferred

RHIT/RHIA certification

CCS/COC/CIC certification

Tools

Epic EHR

Meditech EHR

Job description

Health Information Management - Transcription

Position Summary

The Director of Coding & Health Information Management (HIM) provides strategic, operational, and regulatory leadership for all hospital coding, clinical documentation integrity (CDI) alignment, and health information functions. This position ensures accurate, timely, and compliant coding, complete medical records, data integrity, and optimal reimbursement while supporting organizational quality, compliance, and revenue cycle performance. The Director partners closely with Revenue Cycle, Finance, Compliance, Quality, CDI, Case Management, and Medical Staff leadership to optimize performance in an Epic electronic health record environment.

Responsibilities

Directs and oversees HIM and hospital coding operations including inpatient, outpatient, emergency services, observation, and surgery
Works in conjunction with the professional coding director to ensure correctly and timely coding for PBB and HOD clinics
Develops departmental strategy aligned with organizational financial and quality goals
Leads workforce planning, staffing models, productivity standards, and performance management
Drives continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency
Serves as subject matter expert for coding, documentation, and record management regulations, supporting and monitoring coding operations, quality, accuracy, productivity, and turnaround times
Provides executive-level reporting to senior leadership and committees
Ensures accurate and compliant ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS coding
Oversees case mix index (CMI) performance and reimbursement integrity
Manages coding DNFB and ensures alignment with goals
Coordinates coding audits and education for the coding teams
Maintains compliance with CMS, OIG, and payer regulations
Supports DRG validation and appeals processes
Oversees HIM functions including medical record completion, deficiency management, and record integrity
Ensures Joint Commission, CMS Conditions of Participation, and state regulation compliance
Manages release of information (ROI) operations and privacy compliance
Maintains document management, scanning, indexing, and record retention processes
Ensures data governance and master patient index integrity
Serves as operational owner for Epic HIM modules and workflows, partnering with IT/Epic teams to optimize coding tools, work queues, and automation
Oversees implementation of Epic upgrades and enhancements impacting HIM/coding, supporting best-practice adoption
Partners with CDI leadership to optimize documentation quality and CMI
Aligns coding practices with CDI query processes
Collaborates with Revenue Cycle Operational Leaders on denials management and AR reduction; participates in payer audits and recovery activities
Supports front-end documentation initiatives impacting reimbursement
Maintains effective coding compliance programs, overseeing internal and external coding audits
Responds to RAC, MAC, OIG, and commercial payer reviews and implements corrective action plans as needed
Ensures HIPAA privacy and security compliance within HIM operations
Collaborates with Medical Staff leadership on documentation improvement
Provides education to providers regarding coding and documentation requirements, supporting clinical departments in regulatory readiness
Serves as liaison between HIM and clinical operations
Performs other related duties as assigned
Familiar with standard concepts, practices and procedures within the field
Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function
Competent to meet age specific needs of the unit assigned

Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management, Health Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred
Minimum 7 years’ progressively responsible HIM and coding leadership experience
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and/or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) required within 1 year of hire
Coding Certification (CCS/COC/CIC) required
Previous inpatient coding oversight experience, preferably in an acute care hospital
Experience in an Epic EHR environment
Experience in a Meditech EHR environment, preferred
Demonstrated success managing large teams and complex operations
Strong knowledge of DRG reimbursement methodologies

Working Conditions

Must be able to lift and move up to 10lbs
Must be able to maintain a sitting position
Typical equipment used in an office job
Repetitive movements

About Kootenai Health

Kootenai Health is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving patients throughout northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. We have been recognized with many accolades and distinctions, including being a Gallup Great Workplace, No. 1 Best Place to Work in Large Healthcare Organizations, and Magnet™ Status for Nursing Excellence. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation as an employer and a healthcare provider.

As your next employer, we are excited to offer you:

Kootenai Health offers comprehensive medical plan options, including options for fully paid employer premiums for our full-time employees. For part-time employees, we offer the same plan options with affordable part-time premiums. In addition to medical insurance, we offer many voluntary benefits ranging from dental and vision to life and pet insurance. Kootenai Health also offers well-being resources and telemedicine service options to all employees, regardless of benefit eligibility. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
Kootenai Health’s tuition assistance program is available after 90 days. If you want to further your education, we'll help you pay for it
Kootenai Health sponsors retirement plans for employees that enable you to save money on a pre-tax and Roth after tax basis for your retirement. Kootenai Health will match your contributions based on years of service ranging from 3-6 percent.
An award-winning and incentive-driven wellness program. Including a MyHealth corporate team, onsite financial seminars, and coaching
Robust and interactive employee referral program
Competitive salaries with night, weekend, and PRN shift differentials
Employees receive discounts at The Wellness Bar, PEAK Fitness, and more!
And much more

Kootenai Health provides exceptional support for extraordinary careers. If you want to work on a high-quality, person-centered healthcare team, we can't wait to meet you!

Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.

Why I love my job as a leader at Kootenai Health

Benefits Spotlight

A variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to both full and part‑time employees, with some available at no cost to the employee. In addition, benefit‑eligible employees also gain access to the following: