CDI Specialist Hybrid Northern 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 Documentation Improvement Practitioner - (CDIP) is responsible for providing CDIP program oversight and day to day CDIP implementation of processes related to the concurrent review of the clinical documentation in the inpatient medical record of Optum clients’ patients. The goal of the CDIP 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 collaborates with providers and other healthcare team members to make improvements that result in accurate, comprehensive documentation that reflects completely, the clinical treatment, decisions, and diagnoses for the patient. The CDIP 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.

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

If you are located in California, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides expert level review of inpatient clinical records within 24-48 hours of admit; identifies gaps in clinical documentation that need clarification for accurate code assignment to ensure the documentation accurately reflects the severity of the condition and acuity of care provided
  
• 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 rationale 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
  
• Performs regular rounding with unit-based physicians and provides Working DRG lists to Care Coordination
  
• Provides face-to-face educational opportunities with physicians on a daily basis
  
• Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
  
• Leads the development and execution of physician education strategies resulting in improved clinical documentation
  
• Provides timely feedback to providers regarding clinical documentation opportunities for improvement and successes
  
• Ensures effective utilization of Midas to document all verbal, written, electronic clarification activity
  
• Utilizes only the Optum approved clarification forms
  
• Proactively develops a reciprocal relationship with the HIM Coding Professionals
  
• Coordinates and conducts regular meeting with HIM Coding Professionals to reconsolidate DRGs, monitor retrospective query rates and discuss questions related to Coding and CDI
  
• 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
  
• Actively engages with Care Coordination and the Quality Management teams to continually evaluate and spearhead clinical documentation improvement opportunities

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:

• 5 years acute care hospital clinical RN experience OR medical graduate with CDI experience and CDI certification (CCDS, CDIP)
• 1 years of experience as a clinical documentation integrity specialist
• Experience communicating & working closely with Physicians
• Proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and electronic medical records
• Onsite requirement of up to 25% annually

Preferred Qualifications:

• BSN degree if a RN
• CCDS, CDIP or CCS certification
• CAC experience (Computer Assistant Coding)

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $71,600 to $140,600 annually based on full-time employment. 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.

Salary : $71,600 - $140,600