Associate Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist – Remote

Opportunities at Northern Light Health, in strategic partnership with Optum. Whether you are looking for a role in a clinical setting or supporting those who provide care, we have opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. As a statewide health care system in Maine, we work to personalize and streamline health care for our communities. If the place for you is at a large medical center, a rural community practice or home care, you will find it here. Join our compassionate culture, enjoy meaningful benefits and discover the meaning behind: Caring. Connecting. Growing together.  

  

The Clinical Document Improvement Specialist – (CDS) is responsible for providing CDI program oversight and day to day CDI implementation of processes related to the concurrent review of the clinical documentation in the inpatient medical record of Optum 360 clients’ patients.  The goal of the CDS oversight and practice is to assess the technical accuracy, specificity, and completeness of provider clinical documentation, and to ensure that the documentation explicitly identifies all clinical findings and conditions present at the time of service. 

 

This position reviews all clinical information and documentation to make improvements that result in accurate, comprehensive documentation that reflects completely, the clinical treatment, decisions, and diagnoses for the patient.  The CDS utilizes clinical expertise and clinical documentation improvement practices as well as facility specific tools for best practice and compliance with the mission/philosophy, standards, goals and core values of Optum 360.  

 

Our three-dimensional approach to CDI technology, paired with best-practice adoption methodology and change management support, is helping hospitals make a real impact on CDI efficiency and effectiveness.

• Increase in identification of cases with CDI opportunities, with automated review of 100% of records
• Improved tracking, transparency and reporting related to CDI impact, revenue capture, trending, and compliance
• Easing the transition to ICD-10 by improving the specificity and completeness of clinical documentation, resulting in more accurate coding

 

This position does not have patient care duties, does not have direct patient interactions, and has no role relative to patient care.

  

***Work Location: Remote withing the United States ***

  

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform concurrent and retrospective chart reviews for improving the overall completeness of clinical documentation
• Keep abreast of current coding trends and maintains up to date knowledge of Medicare rules and regulations regarding diagnosis coding and CDI current trends.
• Effectively utilizes ICD-10 and related materials to investigate coding issues and produce accurate results
• Conducts daily follow-up communication with providers regarding existing clarifications to obtain needed documentation specificity
• Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient level review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement, and the rational for the recommendations
• Actively communicates with providers at all levels, to clarify information and to communicate documentation requirements for appropriate diagnoses based on severity of illness and risk of mortality
• Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
• Ensures effective utilization of Optum® CDI 3D Technology to document all clarification activity
• Utilizes only the Optum360 approved clarification forms
• Proactively develops a reciprocal relationship with the HIM Coding Professionals
• Engages and consults with Physician Advisor /VPMA when needed, per the escalation process, to resolve provider issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation improvement process

 

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a Licensed RN OR Medical Graduate with CDI experience and CDI certification (CCDS, CDIP)
• Proven proficiency in clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
• Proven grasp of ICD-10 coding, coding conventions, and guidelines
• Must have proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Electronic Medical Records 

  

Preferred Qualifications:

• CCDS, CDIP or CCS certification
• 3+ years of CDI experience for an acute care hospital
• 5+ years of acute inpatient hospital coding with certifications
• CAC experience (Computer Assistant Coding)

 

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

  

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, or Washington, D.C.   Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $58,300 to $114,300 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

  

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

 

 

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.