At Houston Methodist, the Lead Outpatient Coder is responsible for administrative support to the department and accurate assignment of diagnostic and procedure codes to outpatient encounters based on electronic medical record documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. This role serves as a liaison between management, staff, and physicians for routine issues, helps organize work schedules, creates assignments, reviews timecards, conducts quality assurance audits, develops quality improvement activities, trains and mentors staff, provides performance feedback, collects and reports data, and prepares performance metrics reports.

Education required includes an Associate’s degree or higher from a CAHIIM-accredited program or equivalent experience. The position requires five years of relevant outpatient coding experience and must hold one of the following certifications: RHIT, RHIA, or CCS from AHIMA.

Key skills include knowledge of coding classification systems, DRG/APC systems, official coding guidelines, electronic medical records and imaging systems, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, proficiency with electronic encoder applications, and advanced office and coding software skills. Strong interpersonal, teamwork, mentoring, and leadership abilities are essential.

Essential functions involve promoting a positive work environment, serving as mentor and resource, coordinating staff schedules, resolving customer and staff coding requests, initiating physician queries, assigning complex diagnostic and procedural codes ensuring compliance, conducting quality audits, supporting coding productivity standards, monitoring staffing and labor costs, and fostering continuous improvement and innovation.