Coding Educator (Remote)

Do you want to work at one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation? We are guided by our values of Love and Excellence and are passionate about delivering health, not just health care. Come join us at ChristianaCare!

ChristianaCare, with Hospitals in Wilmington and Newark, DE, as well as Elkton, MD, is one of the largest health care providers in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Named one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report, we have an excess of 1,100 beds between our hospitals and are committed to providing the best patient care in the region. We are proud to that Christiana Hospital, Wilmington Hospital, our Ambulatory Services, and HomeHealth have all received ANCC Magnet Recognition®.

Primary function:

ChristianaCare is searching for a Coding Educator to monitor and validate hospital soft coded/abstracted information for specific hospital patient types and provide education and/or training to coding staff on identified improvement areas. This position will serve in an educator capacity role for the Coding and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) staff as it relates to documentation, coding, and regulatory compliance. The Educator will support coding management by monitoring and updating all operational acute coding policies to optimize the quality and accuracy of the coding services provided by acute coding staff. This position will also analyze data trends from internal and external audits to create and execute education plan.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Plans and conducts audits and reports on the documentation, coding and billing performed at ChristianaCare entities.
• Reviews, develops, and delivers training programs and educational materials to address deficiencies identified in the audits compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Provides written audit guidance.
• Participates with management in the assessment of external audit findings and responds as needed.
• Develops audit detail summary and reports to address any coding, documentation, financial impact and profitability.
• Conducts education/training or works with external resources to present final audit findings to department staff, and appropriate individuals.
• Validates the ICD-CM, ICD-PCS, CPT and HCPCS Level II code and modifier systems, missed secondary diagnoses and procedures and ensures compliance with DRG/APC structure and regulatory requirements. Performs periodic claim form reviews to check code transfer accuracy from the abstracting system and the chargemaster.
• Works with Coding Management to create and monitor inpatient case mix reports and the top 25 assigned DRGs in the facilities to identify patterns, trends and variations in the facilities frequently assigned DRG groups. Once identified, evaluate the cases of the change or problems, and takes appropriate steps to effect resolution.
• Reviews and interprets medical information, classifies that information into the appropriate payor specific groups consisting of ICD-CM ICD-PCS and CPT codes for diagnoses and procedures and calculates the DRG and APC.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required including training/mentoring of new staff, performing audits and research related to special projects and providing coverage for coding management team.
• Provides or arranges for education/training of facility healthcare professionals in use of coding guidelines and practices, proper documentation techniques, medical terminology, and disease processes as it relates to the DRG/APC and other clinical data quality management factors. With technical direction and assistance from management, designs and implements coder education program, continuing education programs and assists Clinical Documentation Improvement leadership with Medical Staff education programs. Establishes and monitors performance and maintains appropriate documentation thereof.
• May assist with inpatient coordinator tasks as needed.
• Assist in supporting coding system testing, troubleshooting, and upgrades.

Education and experience requirements:

• RHIA or RHIT or equivalent certification/degree.
• CCS (Certified Coding Specialist – AHIMA)
• ICD 10 approved trainer through AHIMA preferred.
• CDIP or CCDS preferred.
• College credits in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
• Two years Auditing experience required, preferably in an acute care, teaching hospital.
• Four years Coding/DRG experience required, preferably in an acute care, teaching hospital.

Christianacare Offers:

• Full Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.
• 403(b) with company match.
• Generous paid time off.
• Incredible Work/Life benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial coaching, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and great discounts through several vendors for hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets and much more!

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.