Coding Specialist III - Inpatient

Job Description
- Coding Specialist III
- Inpatient (935620)

The Coding Specialist III is responsible for reviewing and coding inpatient and outpatient University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) medical records. The UTSW medical records are maintained in electronic format and will be coded according to current coding guidelines, and in compliance with organizational, departmental, and regulatory requirements. The Coding Specialist III is identified as the highest level coding subject matter expert due to education, training, and experience and as such will receive coding assignments in accordance with that level of expertise.

Additionally, the Coding Specialist III may be asked to mentor and proctor employees at the Coding Specialist I and II levels.

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

• 3 to 5 years of acute hospital‑based coding experience
• Experience working in a remote environment for PRN Coders
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Licenses and Certifications upon hire: (RHIA) REGD HEALTH INFO ADMINIST, (RHIT) REGD HEALTH INFO TECHNOLO, (CCS) CERT CODING SPECIALIST

• Associate’s Degree in Health Information Management or closely related field
• Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management or closely related field
• Experience working in a remote environment

• Code concurrent or retrospective inpatient accounts using ICD‑10‑CM/PCS, in compliance with official coding guidelines and conventions
• Accurately identify most appropriate Admit Diagnosis, Principal Diagnosis, and Procedure for the DRG, and all secondary diagnoses to accurately reflect all CC/MCCs, POA status, and severity of illness and risk of mortality
• Accurately abstract required data elements including discharge disposition, discharge destination, procedure dates and physicians, and other designated data
• Identify when a physician query is appropriate for clarification, recognize missing or incomplete documentation and route appropriately, and complete review and final coding when query and/or documentation is available
• Maintain the quality standards set by UTSW/HIM Coding
• Maintain the productivity standards set by UTSW/HIM Coding
• Mentor/train on designated coding service lines as requested to ensure quality
• Maintain an expert‑level knowledge of coding related guidelines and practices
• Other duties as assigned

This position is security‑sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal‑opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, citizenship, and veteran status.

The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.