Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist - Sacramento CA

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

The Clinical Document Improvement Specialist - (CDS) is responsible for providing CDI program oversight and day to day CDI implementation of processes related to the concurrent review of the clinical documentation in the inpatient medical record of Optum 360 clients’ patients.  The goal of the CDS oversight and practice is to assess the technical accuracy, specificity, and completeness of provider clinical documentation, and to ensure that the documentation explicitly identifies all clinical findings and conditions present at the time of service. 

This position reviews all clinical information and documentation to make improvements that result in accurate, comprehensive documentation that reflects completely, the clinical treatment, decisions, and diagnoses for the patient.  The CDS utilizes clinical expertise and clinical documentation improvement practices as well as facility specific tools for best practice and compliance with the mission/philosophy, standards, goals and core values of Optum 360.  In this position the CDS will utilizing the Optum™ CDI 3D technology that is assisting hospitals to improve data quality to accurately reflect the quality of care provided and ensure revenue integrity. 

Our three-dimensional approach to CDI technology, paired with best-practice adoption methodology and change management support, is helping hospitals make a real impact on CDI efficiency and effectiveness.

• Increase in identification of cases with CDI opportunities, with automated review of 100% of records
• Improved tracking, transparency and reporting related to CDI impact, revenue capture, trending, and compliance
• Easing the transition to ICD-10 by improving the specificity and completeness of clinical documentation, resulting in more accurate coding

This position does not have patient care duties, does not have direct patient interactions, and has no role relative to patient care.

Qualified candidates must live in the Sacramento, CA regional area to be eligible for consideration (this position is full time onsite at a hospital location and not eligible for remote work)

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Perform concurrent and retrospective chart reviews for improving the overall completeness of clinical documentation
• Keep abreast of current coding trends and maintains up to date knowledge of Medicare rules and regulations regarding diagnosis coding and CDI current trends
• Effectively utilizes ICD-10 and related materials to investigate coding issues and produce accurate results
• Conducts daily follow-up communication with providers regarding existing clarifications to obtain needed documentation specificity
• Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient level review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement, and the rational for the recommendations
• Actively communicates with providers at all levels, to clarify information and to communicate documentation requirements for appropriate diagnoses based on severity of illness and risk of mortality
• Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
• Ensures effective utilization of Optum® CDI 3D Technology to document all clarification activity
• Utilizes only the Optum360 approved clarification forms
• Proactively develops a reciprocal relationship with the HIM Coding Professionals
• Engages and consults with Physician Advisor /VPMA when needed, per the escalation process, to resolve provider issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation improvement process

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 3+ years of experience in clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
• 3+ years of experience with ICD-10 coding, coding conventions, and guidelines
• Proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point
• Experience using Electronic Medical Records (specifically Cerner, Meditech, and/or Epic) 
• Reside in the Sacramento, CA regional area (not eligible for remote work)
• Able/willing to work full time onsite at a hospital location in Sacramento, CA

Preferred Qualifications: 

• BSN degree if a RN
• CCDS, CDIP or CCS certification
• 5+ years of acute inpatient hospital coding with certifications
• 5+ years acute care hospital clinical RN experience OR medical graduate with CDI experience and CDI certification (CCDS, CDIP)
• 3+ years of CDI experience for an acute care hospital
• CAC experience (Computer Assistant Coding) 

California Residents Only: The hourly range for this role is $33.75 to $66.25 per hour. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.    

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.