Director - Coding

Summary

This position is responsible for providing leadership, support, direction and focus for MMC Coding Services in alignment with the MMC values and strategic plan.

Reporting to the HIM Senior Director, the Coding Director ensures accurate and timely coding of inpatient and outpatient records according to MMC Policies and Procedures, provides oversight for all employees involved in HIM record coding, and provides direction for hospital coding activities to include CDI initiatives, coding and compliance audits, education, and productivity standards required to reach unbilled KPIs.

The coding director has a comprehensive knowledge of clinical coding & reimbursement topics, and EMR experience. Also supports quality improvement initiatives such as CQI, ongoing and regular auditing, and addresses compliance issues.

The Coding Director manages and directs a professional staff to ensure the established KPI goals and objectives based on the HIM Inpatient and Outpatient coding dashboards are achieved monthly.

The Coding Director serves as an integral resource and works collaboratively with the Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Cycle Senior Director, Health Information Management Senior Director, Patient Access Senior Director and Care Management and Local Hospital Leadership where responsible for implementing standardized process as part of the World Class Revenue Cycle / Coding department initiative at Maine Health.

The Coding Director mentors coders in maintaining team discipline of Toyota Production Systems Lean processes, such as, work management, SOPs, 5S, daily team briefings, metrics tracking and prompt resolution of IPOs.

The Coding Director monitors the Coding Dashboard, and identifies areas where HIM coding objectives may not have been met;

analyzes data and processes using A3 tools. The Coding Director participates in HIM and Revenue Cycle Leadership meetings for purposes of process improvement, models and develops an environment where new ideas are encouraged with the objective of error and defect elimination.

Provides follow up intervention where corrective action is needed, with prompt escalation of issues, as well as supporting and participating in Kaizen events for process change.

Is responsible for the recruitment, development, coaching, counseling or termination within the coding team to ensure the development of a mature and professionally staffed organization.

Consistently directs and manages the coding team to comply with Federal, State and Local governmental regulations.

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Education : Associates or Bachelor degree in a field of science, health care administration, or business.

Licensure / Certification : RHIA, RHIT, or CCS certification. Six Sigma Green Belt Preferred; Yellow Belt Required (can be acquired post hire).

Experience : 5+ years in a related coding or HIM field. 5 years of HIM leadership experience. Ability to work in a high volume, fast paced work environment, and to successfully prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.

Has analytic abilities with the innovative skills necessary to formulate forecasted growth planning, produce resource staffing initiatives, and staying within budget.

Has the interpersonal skills necessary to interact positively with all levels of intradepartmental personnel, other departments, physicians, team leaders, and individuals outside the Hospital.