POSITION PURPOSE

The position will ideally be based in a Trinity Health Ministry market with remote opportunity.

The Vice President of HIM Coding provides executive leadership, oversight and strategic direction for ensuring the quality of information and data entered into the patient medical record is accurate, complete, and justifies the services provided. This individual is responsible for developing and implementing Trinity Health best known process standards, policies and procedures impacting the activities associated with creation and maintenance of the health record, coding, clinical documentation improvement, transcription, front-end voice recognition, health record disclosure and retention as applicable as well as ensuring the integrity and quality of the health record. This position ensures effective adoption of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for areas of responsibility.

This position is accountable for RHM performance and working collaboratively with the RHMs to assist them in achieving industry best-known practices and multi-million dollar budget improvement targets. 

This position also leads a system office shared service support providing services to RHMs such as remote coding (i.e., coding pool), coding audits, coding education, clinical documentation education, and clinical documentation specialists pool.

In addition, this position provides a bridge between Integrated Clinical Services and the Revenue Excellence department to support quality of care and revenue objectives. This individual works closely with Regional Chief Financial Officers, Chief Medical Officers, Patient Financial Services, Patient Access, Utilization Review, Case Management, and clinical areas including nursing, medical staff, and quality services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of Trinity Health in leadership behaviors, practices, and decisions.

Creates strategies to utilize technology, such as computer assisted coding, to enhance and improve productivity and workflow. Leads collaborative process with physicians, case management, and clinical documentation specialists to develop strategies to create standards of documentation that support a complete and accurate record of patient care rendered, severity of illness, risk of mortality and resources consumed.

Leads process improvement activities at RHMs with underperforming Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) programs to identify issues impacting performance and collaborates with RHMs to create action plans to address areas of concern.

Creates strategies and tools to support an acute care Outpatient CDI program.

Oversees centralized Documentation Creation and Management team that provides 24/7 transcription and front-end voice recognition support for all acute care RHMs and multiple physician practices across the organization.

Develops and manages centralized Data Integrity program that address duplicate medical records, documentation on the wrong encounter and assesses the quality of the clinical note.

Partners with the Integrated Clinical Services team to support various clinical initiatives such as the Bundled Payment Program, LOS, Standard Medical Rules and Bylaws, etc. and represents Revenue Excellence on the Clinical Excellence Council.

Oversees System Office Coding and Auditing programs to assist in the management of RHM DNFB and assess acute care coder quality for the organization.

Establishes Trinity Health acute care operational and productivity standards for CDI and Coding.

Collaborates with Clinical Informatics and Technical Integrated Services to improve EMR functionality and establish processes for monitoring adherence to standard policies and workflows.

Leads efforts to ensure that effective processes and standards are established for the management of terminology systems such as ICD-10, SNOMED CT and LOINC.

Provides subject matter expertise to managed care colleagues to improve contract language to reduce pre- and post-payment denials. 

Leads functional area transformation and associated change efforts to support the Revenue Excellence strategic plan and objectives.

Collaborates with Privacy and Legal to ensure compliant Release of Information practices across the organization.

Identifies opportunities and strategies for cost containment and effective resource utilization across the system (e.g., outsourcing transcription and/or reduction of transcription).

Creates a culture that is patient and employee centric and focused on excellence and continuous process improvement. Collaborates with PFS leadership to address issues affecting revenue performance such as denials and DNFB.

Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Corporate Integrity Program, Code of Ethics, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.

Attracts the best talent, influences, motivates and retains quality direct reports and colleagues. Models behaviors that support continuous learning and empowerment through team leadership.        

Reports and shares information with Finance Leadership, RHM Chief Financial Officers, and functional area leaders to ensure that they are informed regarding process improvement strategies as well as barriers to implementation.

Facilitates the creation of practice forums to provide communication, build consensus, and receive input from RHM functional leaders to ensure adoption of best practices, policies, procedures and strategies.

Directly oversees and leads a team of internal directors, managers, consultants, and analysts and approves and manages annual operating budgets for Health Information Management Services functions. Performs all leadership functions in accordance with Trinity Health mission, shared values, compliance requirements, performance standards, and administrative protocol.

Provides oversight of RHM HIM and CDI leadership and collaborates with regional CFO to address performance issues.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

As a Trinity Health Executive, the incumbent is expected to demonstrate leadership traits which support our Mission Statement and Core Values as identified below:

Mission Statement:  We, Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.

Core Values:

Reverence:  We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person.

Commitment to Those who are Poor:  We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.

Justice:  We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth.

Stewardship:  We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial and natural resources entrusted to our care.

Integrity: We are faithful to those we say we are.

Safety: We embrace a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of fifteen (15) years of healthcare experience and a minimum of five years leadership experience directing mid-revenue cycle functions for a complex health system.

RHIA or BSN required along with previous experience managing clinical documentation.  MBA or MHA strongly preferred.

Ability to address complex problems with multi-level impacts using sound judgment, in-depth analysis and expertise to resolve issues.

Strong knowledge of IT applications and technology and their impacts on productivity and workflow. Demonstrated competency in healthcare informatics.

Strong knowledge of HIPAA, CMS regulations and other compliance requirements as well as ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT 4 coding classification systems.

Versatile and flexible in conducting a variety of concurrent activities with a variety of constituencies and complex structures.

Broad-based knowledge of healthcare clinical, finance, payer, insurance and healthcare informatics, and technology practices.

Ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports as well as peers and superiors to achieve results.

Sensitive to how people and organizations function; utilizes business acumen to adjust self appropriately and professionally in pursuing integrity of work and deed.

Strong understanding of the Catholic health ministry in an evolving health care delivery system and changing reimbursement market.

Strong analytical skills and effective verbal/written/interpersonal communications skills.

Personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity, and caring as well as the ability to inspire and to motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals, and values of the Ministry.

Ability to create and implement business strategies and processes to address changing healthcare environment and reimbursement.

Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build collaborative working relationships with clinical staff, finance and compliance.

Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be able to adapt to frequently changing work priorities.

Must be able to travel as needed to the various Trinity Health sites.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties so assigned.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
 

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.