Lead Inpatient Coding Specialist - REMOTE

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health is seeking an experienced HIM coder leader to oversee the accuracy of inpatient and outpatient coding, including DRG assignments and denials management. You will guide staff and ensure compliance with regulatory standards across Vanderbilt Health’s clinical coding operations.

The role requires 5 years of coding experience, CCS certification, and strong communication with payers and clinical teams.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant work experience in health information management and coding.
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or equivalent AHIMA/AC credentials.
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates coding workflow and handles complex accounts.
• Organizes and prioritizes coding work to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and hospital targets.
• Assigns the most appropriate diagnosis and procedures to reflect the utilization of resources during the patient encounter.
• Recognizes documentation clarification opportunities to ensure it supports all codes and designation assignments.
• Serves as a clinical coding subject matter expert.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance

Medical Terminology

Medical Coding

Critical Thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

HIM - Coding Job Summary:

Job Summary

Provides leadership in reviewing, accurately assigning, and abstracting diagnostic and procedural codes to inpatient encounters using designated coding classification. Leads on-going development of staff. Expert in DRG Downgrade/Denials/Appeals and payer communication..

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinates coding workflow and handles complex accounts.

• Organizes and prioritizes all coding work to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and hospital targets.

• Assigns the most appropriate diagnosis and procedures to reflect the utilization of resources during the patient encounter.

• Recognizes documentation clarification opportunities to ensure it supports all codes and designation assignments.

• Serves as a clinical coding subject matter expert.

Technical Capabilities

• COMPLIANCE (Advanced): Understanding the rules, regulations, sanctions and other statutory requirements, guidelines and instructions relating to governing bodies and organizations, both internally and externally.

• MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY & DOCUMENTATION (Expert): The ability to comprehend medical terminology and documentation in an office, or surgical setting.

• CRITICAL THINKING (Expert): The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

• MEDICAL CODING (Expert): The transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes.

• PEER LEADERSHIP (Intermediate): The ability to show leadership and influence people of equal rank in an effort to accomplish team goals.

Certification: CCS

Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more.

At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Delivers projects/assignments that have a direct impact on goals/objectives of the unit/department that the job is in.

Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Conducts extensive analysis of situations or data to resolve numerous, complex issues; may involve the input/work of others.

Breadth of Knowledge: Has in-depth level of knowledge within a professional area and working knowledge of other areas.

Team Interaction: May lead mid-sized projects; coaches and guides team members.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues

• Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
• Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's communication style to suit different situations and audiences.

Delivering Excellent Service

• Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
• Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
• Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.

Ensuring High Quality

• Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
• Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
• Fulfils Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.

Managing Resources Effective

• Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing and driving critical issues to closure.
• Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
• Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.

Fostering Innovation

• Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
• Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.
• Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications

Responsibilities

Certifications

Certified Coding Associate - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Certified Coding Specialist - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Certified Coding Specialist - Physician - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Certified Outpatient Coder - American Academy of Professional Coders, Certified Professional Coder - Outpatient - American Academy of Professional Coders, Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience Experience Level

5 years

Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive

EEO/Vets/Disabled.