Health Information Management Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist

Parkland Health; Texas; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkland Health in Dallas, TX is seeking a Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist (CDIS) to review patient records and ensure complete, accurate documentation for hospitalization and treatment. The role requires expertise in ICD-10, complications/comorbidities, and DRG attribution, with queries to medical staff as needed.

The position is full-time, hybrid (3 days on site, 2 days work-from-home), with flexible start times 5am–9am, Monday–Friday, at the Moody Building.

Qualifications

• Must meet one of the following educational/experience tracks: MD/DO with 2+ years clinical experience; RN with 3+ years in acute care; HIM professional with 2+ years coding experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with physician, physician extender, nurse, case manager/utilization reviewer and HIM coder to identify principal diagnosis options, secondary diagnoses and procedures, to assign working MS-DRGs and or APR-DRG for at least 85% of identified populations.
• Conducts initial and extended-stay concurrent reviews on all selected admissions and documents findings within 3M CDIS software.
• Identifies need to clarify documentation in records and utilizes strong communication skills with physician, physician extender, nurse or other healthcare professionals, utilizing appropriate tools to capture needed documentation.
• Serves as a resource to physicians and administration regarding issues to the appropriateness of inpatient MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment.
• Assists in the development of query response physician reports. Maintains complete confidentiality of patient information, in addition to hospital and individual physician practice pattern data.
• Provides information and in-services as necessary to physician and ancillary staff.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Medical terminology knowledge

ICD-10 and CPT coding knowledge

MS Office suite

Teaching in group settings

Education

Nursing degree

Medical degree (MD, DO)

Master’s degree in Healthcare/Medical field

HIM program certification

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Work Schedule: Dallas, TX (Onsite)

40 Hours: This Full-Time position is a Hybrid position-3 days on site and 2 days work from home.

Work Location: Dallas, TX (Onsite)

The location is Moody Building, 5th Floor. We offer flexible hours (staff start anywhere from 5am to 9am. It is Monday-Friday).

Primary Purpose

The Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist (CDIS) performs patient record reviews to establish complete, accurate and timely documentation of all conditions that support hospitalization and treatment of the patient. Present queries to the medical staff when needed to clarify ambiguous or incomplete documentation. Must have knowledge of ICD-10, Complications/Comorbid Conditions and their role in the final Diagnosis Related Group, Severity of Illness and Risk of Mortality.

Education

• Degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
• A medical degree (MD, DO)
• Master’s Degree in a Healthcare/Medical related field from an U.S. accredited college or university
• Graduated from an accredited Health Information Management (HIM) program.

Experience

For MD or DO

• Must have two (2) years of clinical experience

For RNs

• Three plus (3+) years of clinical experience in an acute care setting (ICU/Critical Care / Surgery Specialty)

For HIM Professionals

• Must have two plus (2+) years of experience working with the coding classification systems, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and disease processes.
• Two (2) years of inpatient coding experience

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

• May have an equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of specified educational and experience requirements.

Certification/Registration/Licensure

Because of the lag in SCCE, HCCA, NCRA, and AHIMA updating the status of certifications, current employees whose certification is granted through one of these associations are allowed up to seven (7) calendar days, after expiration, to provide proof of renewal. Although an additional seven (7) calendar days is allowed to provide proof of renewal, there cannot be a lapse in the certification’s “active” status.

For MDs Only

• Must have graduated from a medical school and obtained a Medical Degree

For RNs Only

• Must have current RN license or valid temporary permit with the Texas Board of Nursing; or, valid Compact RN license.

For HIM Professionals Only

• Must have current Certified Coding Specialists (CCS), or
• Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT), or
• Registered Health Information Management Administrator (RHIA).

Skills or Special Abilities

• Organizational, analytical, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to be comfortable teaching in group settings as a large part of the job is educating healthcare providers about current documentation standards and helping them appreciate their role in documentation improvement.
• Must possess expert knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology and ICD-10 and CPT coding principles.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with physicians, nursing and ancillary staff.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• Must demonstrate knowledge and skill in age specific needs and the elements of disease processes and related procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of MS Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

For RN applicants

• RN applicants must maintain standards of professional conduct and performs all assigned and unassigned duties in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act.
• RN Applicants must pass Medication Examination prior to hospital orientation. Current Parkland employees requesting reassignment to role must have current Medication Examination on file.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with physician, physician extender, nurse, case manager/utilization reviewer and HIM coder to identify principal diagnosis options, secondary diagnoses and procedures, to assign working MS-DRGs and or APR-DRG for at least 85% of identified populations.
• Conducts initial and extended-stay concurrent reviews on all selected admissions and documents findings within 3M CDIS software.
• Identifies need to clarify documentation in records and utilizes strong communication skills with physician, physician extender, nurse or other healthcare professionals, utilizing appropriate tools to capture needed documentation. Works collaboratively with the healthcare team to facilitate documentation within the medical record that supports patient’s severity of illness and risk of mortality.
• Serves as a resource to physicians and administration regarding issues to the appropriateness of inpatient MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment.
• Assists in the development of query response physician reports. Maintains complete confidentiality of patient information, in addition to hospital and individual physician practice pattern data.
• Provides information and in-services as necessary to physician and ancillary staff.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.