At Houston Methodist, the Coding Educator position is responsible for developing coding education plans and training programs for new hires and current staff to enhance coding skills as well as to ensure compliance with regulations/guidelines. This position deploys the education plans and training programs to the staff by providing direct education to the staff via face-to-face classroom setting, remote web conferencing, and written resources. The Coding Educator will work jointly with Coding management to deploy the overall strategy for system-wide coding operations consistent with Houston Methodist strategic plans. **PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** + Establishes and maintains strong, effective working relationships with physicians, peers and healthcare professionals; effectively communicates with internal and external customers. + Exhibits ability to adjust teaching methods to various learning styles. **SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** + Provides coding training and education sessions to coding staff based on needs identified due to coding audit results, regulatory changes, hospital policy changes or implementation of new technology or processes. + Works with the coding management team to establish a coding program and monitor the success of the coding program including assisting with student recruitment. **QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** + Develops instructional materials to include course plans, objectives, and evaluation tools. + Assesses course effectiveness through student evaluations. + Performs quality monitoring to assess comprehension of training efforts to assure that all required information is captured accurately. + Performs/Leads performance improvement activities that support operational efficiencies, data integrity and service quality including measuring and improving quality outcomes. **FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** + Under the System HIM Director, assists with developing and maintaining an annual training program budget. **GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** + Designs, implements, and monitors effective processes and systems within assigned areas of responsibility to achieve maximum efficiency and enhance productivity and customer satisfaction. + Benchmarks for best practices. + Strives to improve and enhance support to the Hospital and System and seeks opportunities to expand the scope of the Coding section. + Develops continuous process improvements for the coding training needs of the System. + Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in the face of changing demands. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. **EDUCATION** + Associate's degree or higher, concentration in health-related discipline or education **WORK EXPERIENCE** + Eight years of progressive coding and/or coding review (auditing) experience at a large facility or multi-facility + Some professional teaching/training experience **LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED** + RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA) -- for inpatient/outpatient coding **OR** + RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA) -- for inpatient/outpatient coding **OR** + CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA) -- for inpatient/outpatient coding **OR** + CCS-P - Certified Coding Specialist Physician-based (AHIMA) -- for professional fee coding **OR** + CPC - Certified Professional Coder (AAPC) -- for professional fee coding **LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED** + AHIMA designated ICD-10 Approved Trainer **KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES** + Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations + Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security + Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles + Expert knowledge and proficiency in the following: ICD-9-CM , and CPT/HCPCS coding classification systems ICD-10-CM and CPT (for professional fee coding); and ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and HCPCS (includes CPT) (for inpatient/outpatient coding) coding classification systems For inpatient/outpatient coding: MS-DRG, APR DRG and APC assignment systems Official coding guidelines and coding compliance + Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, disease processes and pharmacology + Knowledge of all components of the medical record + Proficiency with electronic encoder application + Basic computer knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office products + Proficiency with Microsoft Office products + AHIMA designated ICD-10 Approved Trainer preferred **SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS** **WORK ATTIRE** + Uniform No + Scrubs No + Business professional Yes + Other (department approved) No **ON-CALL*** _*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below._ + On Call* No **TRAVEL**** _**Travel specifications may vary by department**_ + May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes + May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes **Company Profile:** Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. Houston Methodist consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston area. Houston Methodist also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities. Overall, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care. Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.