Lead Coder - Hospital Outpatient

Hospital outpatient coding requires expertise across a wide range of services, specialties, and reimbursement methodologies. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced outpatient coding professional who enjoys solving complex coding challenges, auditing for quality, researching regulatory guidance, and serving as a trusted resource for others.

If you've progressed beyond production coding and enjoy education, mentoring, and helping coders navigate difficult coding scenarios, this role offers the opportunity to apply your expertise across a diverse outpatient environment that includes emergency department services, observation, same-day surgery, interventional radiology, cardiac catheterization, infusion services, and other hospital-based outpatient care.

As the Clinical Coding Coordinator (Lead Coder) for Hospital Outpatient Coding, you will serve as a senior coding resource and subject matter expert, supporting coding professionals across multiple outpatient specialties. Rather than focusing primarily on production, you'll provide guidance on complex coding questions, conduct quality reviews, and help ensure accurate code assignment, charge capture, and regulatory compliance.

In this fully remote role, you will:

• Serve as the primary resource for complex outpatient coding and charging questions
• Perform coding audits and quality reviews to promote coding accuracy and consistency
• Research and resolve challenging CPT, HCPCS, modifier, and regulatory issues
• Provide education, mentoring, and feedback to coding professionals
• Support accurate charge capture and reimbursement through coding guidance and review
• Assist with implementation of coding updates and regulatory changes
• Partner with coding leadership to identify trends and opportunities for improvement

At UVA Health, you'll be part of a nationally recognized academic health system committed to excellence in patient care, innovation, and professional growth. This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced outpatient coding expertise across a broad range of hospital services while working alongside a collaborative team dedicated to coding quality and continuous improvement.

• Work in a premier Academic Medical Center environment with exposure to highly complex outpatient cases
• Collaborate with a team deeply committed to coding quality and professional excellence
• Participate in coding reviews involving advanced treatments and innovative procedures
• Be recognized as a trusted subject matter expert whose guidance influences coding outcomes across the organization
• Join a culture that values education, mentorship, and knowledge sharing
• Receive support for professional development through continuing education opportunities and credential maintenance assistance
• Work alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about quality, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Contribute to an organization where coding accuracy plays a critical role in patient care, research, operational success, and healthcare innovation

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced outpatient coding professional who enjoys being the expert others rely on and wants to make an impact through education, quality improvement, and coding excellence.

• Recent hospital outpatient coding experience in a major academic medical center, with expertise in complex coding and new technologies.
• Experience in coding quality reviews, auditing, or lead/educator roles.
• Advanced critical thinking skills with ability to interpret complex clinical documentation.
• Strong communication skills with ability to provide clear, accurate guidance on coding standards and documentation requirements.
• AHIMA credential of RHIA or RHIT with CCS.

is especially appealing for coding professionals who want to expand their influence, share their expertise with others, and contribute to the development of the next generation of coding excellence.

Education:

High School Graduate or equivalent required. Associate’s Degree preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of 5+ years of relevant hospital coding experience required; significant experience with complex cases required.

Licensure/Certification:
Active professional coding certification required through AHIMA or AAPC, including RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC, or COC.

PHYSICAL…