RN - Registered Nurse - Senior Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist - CCDS Certification

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. For more information, visit geisinger.org/careers or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Job Summary: The Clinical Documentation Improvement Program (CDI) is designed to improve the physician’s documentation in the patient’s medical record, supporting the appropriate severity of illness, expected risk of mortality and complexity of care of the patient. The role of the Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (CDIS) is to assist the providers with accurately identifying and documenting the healthcare services provided to the patient. This is accomplished with the recognition of complete and accurate diagnoses, procedures performed, and the treatment provided. The core of the program uses highly trained staff members to perform a concurrent inpatient review of the record. This allows the record to be coded post discharge in a timely and accurate manner. A highly successful CDI program is based on a highly interactive process between physicians, CDIS staff and other support services. The program does not challenge the provider’s medical judgement, but rather provides a methodology in which to clarify existing documentation. Acts as a liaison between the clinical and coding functions. Provides education to the medical staff and other clinical professional on documentation relevant to the Revenue Management processes and Discharge Not Final Billed reduction. Provides daily interactions with physicians and clinical professionals regarding documentation clarification and optimization. It is expected that the CDIS have previous clinical skills, including an understanding of Anatomy and Physiology in order to appropriately discuss with the physician such issues as the underlying etiology, principal diagnosis, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, to name a few. The essential focus of this position is to analyze the clinical information, using the documentation as the primary driver for overall System Case Mix Index. Applicants must currently hold the required CDI certification in order to be considered for this position. Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) or Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP). This is a work from home position. The position is full-time, 40 hours weekly; Dayshift; Monday through Friday. Candidates must hold a Registered Nurse license in Pennsylvania or a Multistate License. A minimum of 3 years RN work experience is required; BSN is strongly preferred. The Senior CDI Specialist improves the physician’s documentation in the patient’s medical record, supporting the appropriate severity of illness, expected risk of mortality and complexity of care of the patient. Assists the providers with accurately identifying and documenting the healthcare services provided to the patient. The position will, through ongoing education, support the improvement and continue to sustain clinical documentation related to relative patient acuity, risk reduction, ad overall improvement and accuracy of Case Mix Index. Acts as documentation liaison to physician staff as a means of finalizing information in the medical record.

Reviews inpatient medical records within 24-48 hours of admission for a specified patient population to: evaluate the documentation in order to assign the principal diagnosis, relevant secondary diagnoses, and procedures for accurate DRG assignment, risk of mortality, severity of illness Formulates queries when it is determined there is missing documentation, conflicting documentation or unclear documentation. Attends physician rounds on assigned units, as well as interdisciplinary team meetings as appropriate to daily patient assignment. Provides on-going education to physicians and essential healthcare providers regarding clinical documentation improvement and the need for accurate and complete documentation in the patient’s record. Collaborates with the nursing staff, clinical nutrition, pharmacist, along with the physicians on documentation in an attempt to resolve queries prior to the patient’s discharge. Identifies strategies for sustained work process changes that facilitate complete, accurate clinical documentation. Maintains the confidentiality of all information acquired, pertaining to the patient, physician, associates, and visitors to Geisinger. Promotes a partnership with the Inpatient Coding staff, to provide clinical education, to assure documentation of discharge diagnosis and any secondary diagnoses’ to reflect the accuracy of the patient’s clinical status and care. Acts as a resource person for the interdisciplinary team in order to promote collaboration and coordination of patient care considering age specific, developmental, cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient. Complies with established hospital and Department Policies, Procedures Assists the Director with daily organization of CDI work flow at all Geisinger facilities. Communicates and partners with the CDI Director regarding issues in need of a coordinated resolution. Position Details: Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.