Coding Consultant Outpatient - PRN

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Coding Consultant Outpatient – PRN based in the United States.** Join a healthcare technology environment dedicated to making medical data more secure, accessible, and actionable. As a Coding Consultant Outpatient, you will leverage your medical coding expertise to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of outpatient healthcare records. You will review clinical documentation, assign appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes, and support accurate reimbursement and hospital reporting. Working remotely, you will collaborate with healthcare professionals and coding specialists to resolve documentation issues and maintain high-quality coding standards. This part-time, as-needed position offers flexibility while allowing you to contribute to essential healthcare information management processes. You will work with complex outpatient cases, including emergency department encounters, procedures, injections and infusions, and evaluation and management leveling. If you are a credentialed coding professional with strong attention to detail and a commitment to continuous learning, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on healthcare data quality. ### Accountabilities - **Review and code outpatient medical records:** Analyze clinical documentation and accurately assign diagnosis and procedure codes in accordance with applicable coding guidelines and established standards. - **Ensure coding accuracy and sequencing:** Assign and sequence codes based on medical record documentation, including appropriate discharge dispositions and facility-level coding classifications. - **Support hospital reporting and reimbursement:** Abstract and enter coded data to meet hospital statistical, reporting, and reimbursement requirements, including accurate Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) assignments. - **Handle complex outpatient specialties:** Apply coding expertise across emergency department encounters, same-day surgery, observation services, ancillary services, injections and infusions, procedures, modifiers, and evaluation and management (E/M) leveling. - **Identify documentation improvement opportunities:** Communicate coding discrepancies, documentation gaps, and potential improvement opportunities to the appropriate personnel for follow-up and resolution. - **Maintain quality and productivity standards:** Achieve a target coding accuracy rate of at least 95% and an APC assignment accuracy rate of at least 95%, while meeting site-specific productivity expectations. - **Collaborate with healthcare stakeholders:** Communicate professionally with colleagues, management, and hospital personnel regarding clinical documentation, coding decisions, and reimbursement-related issues. - **Maintain professional credentials:** Track and complete continuing education requirements to keep certifications current and remain informed about changes in coding guidelines and industry practices. - **Participate in ongoing education:** Attend employer-sponsored training sessions, educational meetings, and in-service programs to strengthen technical knowledge and coding performance. - **Follow ethical and compliance standards:** Adhere to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics, applicable Health Information Management policies, HIPAA requirements, and relevant confidentiality standards. - **Demonstrate professional excellence:** Maintain a customer-focused, dependable, flexible, and collaborative approach while exercising sound judgment and taking initiative in a remote working environment. ## Requirements - **Professional certification:** An active coding credential from AHIMA, such as RHIA, RHIT, or CCS, or from AAPC, such as CPC, CPC-H, COC, CIC, or CRC. CCS certification is specifically required for the highlighted emergency department and complex outpatient coding needs. - **Relevant experience:** At least 2 years of hospital-based or coding consulting experience, with 3 or more years of outpatient coding experience preferred for the specialized requirements of this position. - **Outpatient coding expertise:** Strong working knowledge of outpatient diagnosis and procedure coding, with proficiency in emergency department coding, injections and infusions, procedures, modifiers, facility leveling, and E/M leveling. - **Specialty coding knowledge:** Experience in areas such as same-day surgery, observation services, ancillary services, and Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) assignment. - **Medical terminology and documentation:** Excellent understanding of medical terminology, clinical documentation, coding guidelines, and the relationship between accurate coding, reimbursement, and reporting. - **Coding software proficiency:** Experience using computerized coding, encoding, and medical record abstraction systems. Familiarity with Epic and Clintegrity is strongly preferred. - **Accuracy and analytical skills:** Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to interpret complex clinical records while maintaining high coding quality standards. - **Communication and teamwork:** Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain coding issues clearly and collaborate effectively with healthcare staff and remote colleagues. - **Organization and time management:** Ability to manage competing priorities, meet productivity targets, work independently, and maintain consistent performance in a remote, flexible environment. - **Professional development:** Willingness to complete annual introductory HIPAA examinations and other required assessments, maintain continuing education credits, and stay current with relevant coding standards. - **Ethics and confidentiality:** Commitment to professional integrity, patient confidentiality, data security, and compliance with applicable healthcare regulations. - **Work authorization:** Must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. ## Benefits - **Competitive compensation:** Estimated total cash compensation range of **$20–$35 USD**, depending on location, responsibilities, experience, skills, and other relevant factors. - **Flexible PRN schedule:** Part-time, as-needed work that offers flexibility in managing professional commitments and personal responsibilities. - **Retirement savings:** Access to a 401(k) savings plan with employer matching contributions for eligible PRN employees. - **Continuing education:** Free continuing education units (CEUs) provided annually to support ongoing professional development and certification maintenance. - **Professional development stipend:** Financial assistance toward education expenses and professional membership dues, including AHIMA and AAPC. - **Remote work equipment:** Provision of essential equipment, including a laptop, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and headset. - **Comprehensive onboarding:** Structured training led by an experienced, credentialed coding manager to support role readiness and consistent performance. - **Mentorship and management support:** Access to supportive, service-oriented management and professional guidance throughout your assignment. - **Full-time benefits distinction:** Medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays are listed for full-time employees and are not specified as benefits for this PRN position.