Team Lead, Coding Operations- IM

Job Posting Closing Date: Open until Filled

Where do you belong?

Your career is more than just a job, it's part of your life. Whether you’re a clinician, or non-clinical professional,  at USACS you'll feel a sense of connection working with clinicians and office staff who share your interests and values. We want you to love coming to work each day because you believe in what you do and the people with whom you work. We care about your success.

USACS also understands that location is important. We offer  career opportunities for clinicians and non-clinical support staff from New York to Hawaii and numerous points in between. Our supportive culture,  outstanding benefits and competitive compensation package is best in class.

Job Description

The Team Lead, Coding Operations is responsible for daily operations and prioritization of duties for applicable service line coders (ED, OB, UC, SNF or Vendor). Implements proactive actions to reduce or eliminate any potential coding productivity risks/exposures. The lead is expected to maintain a working knowledge of coding process, policy, SOPs, and serves as subject matter expert on assigned EMR’s performance and impact to production coding. The lead is responsible for advising leadership on impacts of regulatory (TJC, Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules & Regs, etc.) and operational changes. Is expected to provide regular coding updates/summaries of productivity metrics and will maintain ongoing communication with coding leadership regarding coding workload and productivity. In addition, the Coding Operations Team Lead is responsible for ensuring coding processes are conducted efficiently and in a high-quality manner to meet overall coding expectations and metrics

Location: Remote

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Running the Business

• Routinely responsible for daily operations and prioritization of duties, including managing work queues, backlog lists, queue clean up (Month-end), and team updates 
• Responsible for verifying, approving and submitting employee time records and expense/reimbursement approvals
• Assists department personnel by providing training, answering operational questions and making recommendations to resolve operational issues
• Assists in monitoring the Pre-bill and post-bill Statuses (Coding active, coding hold, etc.)
• Responsible for coding accounts from applicable service line(s) on an as needed basis
• Oversee service line edits/chart corrections and provide related education when applicable  
• Responsible for monitoring coders’ productivity progress and reports any impediments
• Conducts time-study as deemed necessary for adjustments of productivity standards
• Ensures that coders are adhering to company and department policies and SOPs
• Routinely tracks, trends and corrects any identified outsourced coders’ quality/operational errors 
• Supervises and manages denials in conjunction with denials management (when applicable) and appeals when needed
• Assists with candidate selection/hiring process
• Assists Coding Operations Manager with action plans associated with denials management and appeals
• Responsible for monitoring Milestone Coders progress to goal and proactively remediate any anticipated negative variance to target
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association and American Academy of Professional Coders and adheres to official coding guidelines
• Assists with other department duties and projects as needed
• Assist Coding Manager in validation of outsource coder invoice volumes (if applicable)
• Works with Coding Quality Lead(s) in all human resources matters relating to the department including but not limited to: hiring, performance evaluations, corrective action counseling and employee separations.

Engaging & Developing Employees

• Ensure all direct reports understand performance requirements and production requirements
• Conducts performance evaluation with staff quarterly, at a minimum
• Routinely responsible for coding operational onboarding processes
• Provides and documents orientation and training to new staff members and contract coders
• Sets up new employee workstation with applicable application access
• Assists in ensuring coding staff adherence with coding guidelines, policies and SOPs
• Assists Coding Manager in the review and improvement of policies, workflow optimization, and standards of work

Shaping Team Culture

• Openly communicates issues and opportunities to coding staff
• Assists Coding Operations Manage