Director HIM/Medical Records

Silver Cross Hospital is an extraordinary place to work. We’re known for our culture of excellence and delivery of unrivaled experiences for our patients, their families, the communities we serve…and for each other. Come join us! It’s the way you want to be treated.

Position Summary:

The Director of Health Information Management (HIM) is responsible for directing operational, financial, programmatic, and personnel activities across HIM functions, including Coding, Release of Information, and Document Imaging, leading to successful outcomes in compliance, coding accuracy, efficiency, and employee engagement.

This role is accountable for implementing, maintaining, and continuously monitoring HIM goals and objectives while ensuring alignment with the strategic priorities of Silver Cross Hospital. The Director serves as both a hands-on operational leader and a strategic partner, driving performance improvement, leveraging technology and vendor relationships, and ensuring the organization is appropriately reimbursed through accurate and compliant coding and documentation practices.

The Director of HIM reports to the Vice President of Finance and provides leadership across hospital and affiliated settings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as the system subject matter expert for HIM operations, advising executive leadership on coding accuracy, documentation integrity, regulatory compliance, and health information governance.

• Provides direct oversight of Coding, Release of Information, and Document Imaging functions, ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality operations across the system.

• Establishes themselves as a system leader in HIM best practices and partners with clinical, operational, and revenue cycle leadership to optimize workflows and performance.

• Drives coding accuracy and documentation quality to ensure appropriate reimbursement, minimize denials, and reduce compliance risk.

• Leads initiatives to improve operational efficiency and staff engagement, including optimizing internal resources and effectively leveraging outsourced partners to manage volume fluctuations.

• Develops and executes strategic and operational plans focused on performance transformation, including technology optimization (Oracle platform, Optum tools) and process improvement.

• Creates and governs HIM policies and procedures to ensure alignment with federal, state, and regulatory requirements, including Joint Commission standards and applicable Illinois regulations.

• Monitors key performance indicators (e.g., coding accuracy, DNFB, turnaround times, productivity, quality scores) and takes proactive corrective action when needed.

• Serves as the system subject matter expert for HIM operations, advising executive leadership on coding accuracy, documentation integrity, regulatory compliance, and health information governance.

• Provides direct oversight of Coding, Release of Information, and Document Imaging functions, ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality operations across the system.

• Establishes themselves as a system leader in HIM best practices and partners with clinical, operational, and revenue cycle leadership to optimize workflows and performance.

Required Qualifications: 

Education and Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management or a related healthcare field required. Master’s degree in healthcare or business-related field preferred.

• RHIA or RHIT credential required.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in Health Information Management within a healthcare provider setting.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing coding, document management, and release of information functions, with accountability for accuracy, compliance, and performance outcomes.

• Proven track record leading strategic initiatives and operational improvement efforts related to coding accuracy, efficiency, and technology optimization.

• Experience working with Oracle platforms, Optum tools, and outsourced/vendor-supported HIM services strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on operational leadership with strategic planning and execution.

• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements, including coding guidelines, documentation standards, HIPAA, and Joint Commission requirements.

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, productivity standards, and cost-benefit analyses.

• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to engage and influence physicians, clinical leaders, and administrativ