[Hiring] Lead Clinical Documentation Specialist @Ascension

Role Description

The Lead Clinical Document Specialist (CDS) – Rapid Response serves as a high-level clinical documentation integrity expert, deployed to address urgent, complex, or high-impact issues across the CDI program. This role supports strategic initiatives, facilitates rapid-cycle audits, and investigates documentation and coding anomalies in real-time. The Rapid Response Lead works collaboratively across departments to drive accurate documentation, coding integrity, and risk adjustment capture, while supporting training, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.

• Serve as the primary resource for urgent CDI issues (e.g., payer denials, audits, DRG validation).
• Address immediate system needs (e.g., high denial rates, quality issues, new coding rules).
• Mentor front-line CDSs on complex cases, query framing, and escalation.
• Analyze documentation and coding data for trends and improvement.
• Lead and ensure compliance of strategic CDI initiatives across markets/systems.
• Evaluate strategic results and recommend implementation pathways.

Qualifications

• Clinical Documentation Prof. credentialed from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
• High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 1 year of experience OR 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
• 2 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
• Lead experience.
• Project Management experience.
• CCDS Certified.

Benefits

• Paid time off (PTO)
• Various health insurance options & wellness plans
• Retirement benefits including employer match plans
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance programs (EAP)
• Parental leave & adoption assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ways to give back to your community