Clinical Documentation Specialist (Remote) must live in TX, LA, WA, FL – Amazon Store
At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Documentation Specialist is responsible for improving the overall quality and completeness of clinical documentation. This position analyzes medical records for DRG's, complications, and comorbidities; identifies trends; and notes observations and recommendations for documentation improvement. This role also facilitates modifications to clinical documentation through extensive interaction with physicians, nursing staff, other patient care givers, and medical records coding staff to ensure that appropriate reimbursement is received for the level of service rendered to all patients. Additional duties include supporting the accuracy and completeness of the clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician and hospital outcomes and educating all members of the patient care team on an ongoing basis.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- Improves the overall quality, completeness and accuracy of clinical documentation by performing open record reviews using clinical documentation guidelines. Supports the accuracy and completeness of clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician and medical outcomes.
- Seeks additional information regarding clinical condition from appropriate clinical personnel and follows up as necessary. Tracks responses and trends completion of DRG/Documentation worksheets as pertinent to scope of department.
- Conducts follow-up reviews of clinical documentation to ensure points of clarification have been recorded in the patient's chart.
- Demonstrates knowledge of DRG payor issues, optimization strategies, clinical documentation requirements and referral policies and procedures. Requests clarification and/or correction from physicians for unclear diagnoses, complications, procedures, and clinical information. Helps identify appropriate ICD10 codes for diagnoses or procedures related to projects or studies being conducted as needed.
- Promotes clarification to clinical documentation to ensure that appropriate reimbursement is received for the level of service rendered to all patients. Identifies diagnoses and procedures performed and comorbidities and complications. Impacts discharges by updating the DRG worksheet to reflect any changes in status, procedures/treatments, conferring with physician to finalize diagnosis as necessary.
- Educates all internal customers on clinical documentation opportunities, coding, and reimbursement issues, as well as performance improvement methodologies
- Medical School graduate where Western Medicine is practiced
- One year of clinical experience preferred