Coding Specialist

Overview

University of Utah Health is seeking a patient-focused coding professional to provide inpatient facility coding and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) support within the Health Information Management department. This role supports accurate coding, documentation quality, and compliant reimbursement processes.

The organization is a Level 1 Trauma Center with five hospitals and eleven clinics, known for academic research, quality standards, and strong patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Review medical records to identify relevant clinical diagnoses and procedures.
• Assign appropriate ICD-CM principal diagnosis codes.
• Assign appropriate ICD-CM secondary diagnosis codes.
• Assign appropriate ICD-10-PCS procedure codes.
• Sequence diagnoses and procedures to support accurate MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment.
• Assign Present on Admission (POA) indicators for each diagnosis code.
• Abstract required data elements such as admit type, admit source/point of origin, and discharge disposition.
• Identify opportunities where additional provider documentation is needed for accurate ICD-10 coding.
• Follow compliant provider query practices and procedures.
• Adhere to Health Information Coding policies and Official Coding Guidelines published by CMS and cooperating parties.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiology.
• Familiarity with coding conventions and coding nomenclature.
• Developing knowledge of healthcare quality initiatives.
• Ability to maintain productivity standards and work through increasingly complex service lines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with clinical staff and hospital personnel.
• Knowledge of healthcare IT systems, preferably Epic and 3M 360 Encompass R2.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.