[Hiring] Senior Hospital Coder @Albany Medical Center

Role Description

The Senior Hospital Coder is responsible for performing detailed inpatient coding quality audits, scheduled and random, on staff and providing thorough education and feedback, projects assigned by management, and special requests to review coding for external departments such as quality management and CDI. This is a remote inpatient position.

• Optimize hospital reimbursement by auditing and monitoring inpatient and outpatient records and investigating unbilled cases.
• Understand the hospital inpatient and CBO billing and registration systems.
• Assist with educating providers, clinicians, and others by advocating proper documentation practices.
• Assist in problem-solving processes and workgroups, including developing query policies.
• Assist leadership in team collaboration, leading meetings, and onboarding new staff.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing to physicians, clinical departments, medical coders, and management teams.
• Query and/or consult as needed with the provider for clarification and additional documentation.
• Provide feedback to coding staff on quality scores.
• Communicate with management regarding trends or concerns about poor quality.
• Schedule calls and be available for coding staff questions related to coding.
• Lead a morning huddle one week each quarter in a 12-month calendar year.
• Communicate to Coding Support Specialist on topics for monthly meetings.
• Research new coding clinics, guidelines, and concepts and provide education to staff.
• Advance coding knowledge and practice through continuing education.
• Research coding forums and coding issues related to registration status.
• Work with multiple software systems, including Epic, Solventum 360, Outlook, MS Teams, Word, Excel, and Citrix.
• Assist with organizing the shared drive for the medical coding department.
• Assist in the development and compliance of comprehensive internal coding policies and procedures.
• Participate in discussions and projects to improve turnaround time for coding.
• Participate in daily huddles and LEAN problem-solving activities.
• Demonstrate change-leadership skills and support collaboration among coders.
• Connect with coders when necessary, acting as a mentor and guide.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. - required
• Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or related program - preferred
• 1-3 years experience in a leadership, supervision, or code auditing position - required
• 2 or more years of experience coding ICD-10-CM/PCS coding - required
• Experience with 3M 360 and EPIC - preferred
• Applicants must receive a minimum score of 85% on a coding assessment.
• Expert level with reading a medical record to assign ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and assign DRG.
• Highly skilled in team development, critical thinking, organization, verbal, and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with a team.
• Coding certification/credential through AHIMA or AAPC and be in good standing - required
• RHIT / RHIA - preferred
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Requirements

• Standing - Occasionally
• Walking - Occasionally
• Sitting - Constantly
• Lifting - Rarely
• Carrying - Rarely
• Pushing - Rarely
• Pulling - Rarely
• Climbing - Rarely
• Balancing - Rarely
• Stooping - Rarely
• Kneeling - Rarely
• Crouching - Rarely
• Crawling - Rarely
• Reaching - Rarely
• Handling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Occasionally
• Feeling - Rarely
• Talking - Frequently
• Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Frequently
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Frequently

Working Conditions

• Extreme cold - Rarely
• Extreme heat - Rarely
• Humidity - Rarely
• Wet - Rarely
• Noise - Occasionally
• Hazards - Rarely
• Temperature Change - Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely
• Vibration - Rarely