HB Inpatient Coder Senior

BBSS Beyond Blue; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

UK St.Claire seeks an experienced inpatient coder to ensure accurate ICD-10-CM/PCS coding and MS-DRG assignments. You will review complex clinical documents, query providers for clarity, and support audits to reduce denials.

The role emphasizes accuracy, compliance, and timely hospital billing. Requires 3–5 years in inpatient coding, RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CPC credentials preferred, and a commitment to quality in a full-time, on-site position in Kentucky.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive inpatient coding experience in hospital settings.
• RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC-A, CCA, CCS-P certifications preferred.
• Proficiency with ICD-10-CM/PCS coding and MS-DRG assignment.
• Ability to review documentation and query providers to resolve gaps.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex inpatient coding using ICD-10-CM/PCS with Office Coding Guidelines.
• Codes diverse inpatient cases and ensures accurate MS-DRG and POA assignments.
• Maintains productivity and quality standards and prioritizes workload.
• Presents documentation queries to clinicians to improve accuracy.
• Supports audits, denial tracking, and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Inpatient coding

ICD-10-CM/PCS

DRG assignment

Auditing & quality

Provider communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Encoder software

Job description

At UK St.Claire, our staff is our greatest asset in the mission to create a healthier and more prosperous population. We strive to foster the talent and potential of our employees and prioritize safe working conditions and equal compensation rates to ensure that continual growth is possible.

Job Summary

Responsible for performing complex inpatient coding and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness in hospital billing. Provides advanced expertise in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS coding, and DRG assignment to optimize reimbursement and reduce denials. Ensures coding accuracy by reviewing high‑complexity cases and participating in audits. Coordinates with providers, CDI specialists, and revenue cycle staff to improve documentation and coding quality.

Essential Functions

• Performs comprehensive analysis of inpatient clinical documentation to accurately assign ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes in compliance with Office Coding Guidelines.
• Codes a wide range of inpatient cases from moderately to highly complex across all medical specialties and diverse clinical presentations.
• Ensures accurate MS‑DRG, Discharge Disposition and Present on Admission (POA) code assignment.
• Maintains and consistently exceeds departmental productivity and quality standards.
• Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Utilizes encoder software efficiently to support accurate MS‑DRG assignment.
• Reviews clinical documentation for accuracy and clarity and initiates provider queries to resolve discrepancies.
• Serves as a resource for coding staff on difficult or unusual coding scenarios.
• Identifies coding errors and provides feedback to improve accuracy.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives related to coding.
• Tracks and analyzes coding‑related denials and supports appeals processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience Requirement

3‑5 years of progressive inpatient coding experience in an acute care or hospital environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. All experience must be paid and in the same related field. Part‑time and PRN experience will be prorated based on hours worked per week. Volunteer work and internships for academic credit are not counted.

Certifications & Licensures

• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
• Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC‑A)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
• Certified Coding Specialist – Physician‑based (CCS‑P)

Preferred certifications: None specified beyond the list.

Working Conditions

Intermittent lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50lbs. Occasional lifting over 50lbs. Intermittent standing or walking with objects up to 10lbs, occasional with up to 25lbs. Extended computer workstation use, repetitive motions. Occasional risk of back injury, repetitive motion, and exposure to bloodborne/airborne pathogens. No high‑risk or hazardous chemical exposure.

Physical Demands

Intermittent sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods, repetitive typing motions, intermittent standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10lb, occasional standing or walking with objects weighing up to 25lb, occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 50lb.

Location

2201 Lexington Ave, Ashland, Kentucky, United States of America. Shift: Days. Time type: Full time.