Outpatient Coder

Location:

Houston, Texas, United States Company:
Houston Methodist Posted:
At Houston Methodist, the Outpatient Coder position is responsible for ensuring diagnostic and procedure codes are assigned accurately to outpatient, emergency room, therapy, and/or clinic encounters based upon documentation within the electronic medical record while maintaining compliance with established rules and regulatory guidelines.

FLSA STATUSNon-exemptQUALIFICATIONSEDUCATIONAssociate’s degree or higher in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management accredited program or additional two years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of degreeEXPERIENCEOne year of relevant outpatient coding experience or completion of the Houston Methodist Coding Apprentice ProgramLICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Required

Must have one of the following:
• RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA)
• RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA)
• CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA)
• CCA – Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA)
• CCS-P – Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (AHIMA)
• CPC – Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)
• CPC-H – Certified Professional Coder – Hospital (AAPC)
• CPC-I – Certified Professional Coder Instructor (AAPC)
• CPC-A – Certified Professional Coder Associate (AAPC)
• CCC – Certified Cardiology Coder (AAPC)
• COC - Certified Outpatient Coder (AAPC)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Knowledge of coding classification systems, DRG and APC systems, official coding guidelines and coding compliance

Knowledge of an electronic medical record and imaging systems

Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology

Proficiency with electronic encoder application

Extensive PC knowledge - must be able to work effectively in common office software, coding software and abstracting systems ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Interacts and communicates effectively with members of the coding team and the appropriate stakeholders.

Participates and provides good feedback during coding section meetings and coding education in-services as well as takes initiative to assist others and shares knowledge with the appropriate stakeholders.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Responds promptly to internal and external customer requests. Responds promptly and appropriately to requests to code or review coded accounts for accuracy.

Initiates queries with physicians to obtain or clarify diagnoses and/or procedures as appropriate, utilizing the established physician query process.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Maintains and achieves departmental standards of coding quality by assigning accurate ICD-10-CM/ICD-10-PCS and CPT codes and APC assignment utilizing an electronic encoder application in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory body guidelines.

Maintains and achieves departmental standards of abstracting quality by reviewing the discharge disposition entered by nursing and corrects if necessary in order to achieve the highest quality of entered data. Assigns and enters physician identification number and procedure date correctly in the medical…