[Hiring] Clinical Documentation Manager @Ascension

Role Description

Drive documentation excellence by analyzing key data to optimize reimbursement, ensure regulatory compliance, and reflect accurate patient outcomes.

• Lead and empower the Clinical Documentation team through effective hiring, targeted mentorship, and continuous performance management to build a high-performing unit.
• Cultivate interdisciplinary partnerships across healthcare teams to pinpoint clinical documentation gaps and implement scalable, quality-driven solutions.
• Standardize clinical review processes to verify that physician documentation accurately supports patient level-of-care and DRG assignments.
• Support in the design and deliver engaging education for clinical and medical staff to elevate organization-wide understanding of documentation standards and compliance requirements.
• Utilize data analysis to formulate plans for increased team performance and support team through mentorship.

Qualifications

• Licensure / Certification / Registration: One or more of the following required:
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credentialed from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credentialed from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Clinical Documentation Prof. credentialed from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Registered Nurse credentialed from the Indiana Board of Nursing obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Reg Health Info Admnstr credentialed from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
  • Reg Health Info Tech credentialed from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
• Education:
  • High School diploma equivalency with 3 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 2 years of cumulative experience OR 7 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
  • 3 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
• Additional Preferences:
  • RN License or CDIP/CCDS Certification: Active Registered Nurse (RN) license or a recognized Clinical Documentation Improvement credential (e.g., Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner or Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist).
  • Two years acute hospital experience or surgical area as a clinical nurse, ICU preferred.
  • Leadership Experience: Two years proven track record managing, evaluating, and developing staff within a hospital clinical documentation (CDI) department.
  • Expert Knowledge of Inpatient Coding Systems: Three years clinical documentation specialist in an acute care hospital setting.
  • Deep operational understanding of MS-DRGs, Case Mix Index (CMI), and value-based purchasing requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options.
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance.
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays.
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning.
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources.
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits.
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more.