HIM Inpatient Coding Specialist I

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits program

Prepaid tuition assistance

Continuing education opportunities

Job summary

A leading academic medical center in Philadelphia is looking for a Coding Specialist to perform coding and abstracting of inpatient records with a strong focus on accuracy. Responsibilities include reviewing medical records, entering data into EPIC, and ensuring compliance with guidelines. Candidates should have a H.S. Diploma, CCS certification, and prior coding experience. This role offers a hybrid work schedule and aims to support high-quality patient care while maintaining productivity standards.

Qualifications

• RHIA or RHIT certification preferred.
• Previous work experience or training in coding inpatient medical records required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs coding and abstracting of medical records accurately.
• Demonstrates 95% accuracy in determining diagnoses and procedures.
• Abstracts and enters coded information into EPIC for billing.

Skills

Inpatient coding fluency

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

H.S. Diploma/GED

Certified Coding Specialist - CCS AHIMA

Tools

EPIC

Job description

Overview

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Entity - Corporate Services

Department - Corporate HIM Coding

Hours: M-F, 8 hour days, hybrid

Location: 150 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA

Responsibilities

• Performs all coding and abstracting by reviewing medical records and selecting the principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, principal procedure, and secondary procedures accurately. Performs analysis of the DRG assigned to produce the highest level of reimbursement to which the facility is legally entitled according to stringent coding and compliance guidelines.
• Examines the complete medical record to accurately determine the principal & secondary diagnoses, procedures, co-morbidities and complications demonstrating 95% accuracy as determined by audits.
• Sequences the diagnoses & procedures to obtain the optimal DRG or APR-DRG assignment and demonstrates 95% accuracy as determined by monthly audits.
• Simultaneously abstracts and enters all coded information into EPIC for timely billing, including the correct discharge disposition verified through the CRM notes available in PennChart.
• Demonstrates a consistent level of performance and strives to maintain a steady level of productivity according to guidelines:
  • HUP - Average of 7.5-11.5 inpatient records coded daily
  • PPMC - Average of 7.5-11.5 inpatient records coded daily
  • PAH - Average of 15 inpatient med/surg charts coded daily
• Refers charts that require clarification of vague or unclear documentation for accurate coding and DRG assignment to a Coding Quality Specialist to query the physician for the needed documentation.
• Promptly and accurately assigns Coding Hold reasons to records that cannot be completed immediately due to missing notes and reports (e.g., Missing Operative Notes, Missing Pathology Report, Physician Query Needed, Death Review, Discharge Disposition, Missing Other Reports).
• Identifies and applies Present on Admission indicators to all applicable diagnoses according to guidelines; accuracy impacts reimbursement and quality metrics.
• Prioritizes coding of older cases and high-dollar cases to meet deadlines.
• Is willing to adjust schedule to complete workload and meet pivotal revenue cycle deadlines when requested by management and cooperates with departmental work volumes.
• Strives to become fluent in inpatient coding at all UPHS facilities.
• Maintains continuing education inside and outside the organization and tracks Continuing Education credits to maintain professional credentials.
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health system organization.

Credentials

• RHIA or RHIT (Preferred)
• Certified Coding Specialist - CCS AHIMA (Required)

Education or Equivalent Experience

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• Previous work experience or training in coding inpatient medical records (Required)
• Bachelor's degree (Preferred)

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.