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Houston Methodist

Senior Outpatient Coder

Houston Methodist, Olympia, Washington, United States

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Senior Outpatient Coder

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As a Senior Outpatient Coder, you will be responsible for ensuring diagnostic and procedure codes are assigned accurately to day surgery and observation encounters based upon documentation within the electronic medical record while maintaining compliance with established rules and regulatory guidelines.

FLSA Status Non‑exempt

Qualifications

Education

Associate’s or higher degree in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management accredited program or additional two years of experience (in lieu of degree).

Experience

Three years of relevant outpatient coding experience or successful completion of the Houston Methodist Senior Outpatient Coder Transition Program.

Licenses and Certifications (Required)

RHIT – Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA)

RHIA – Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA)

CCS – Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA)

CCA – Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA)

CCS-P – Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (AHIMA)

CPC – Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrates required skills and competencies for safe performance of the job.

Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English with respect to patient and employee safety.

Effective communication with patients, physicians, family members, and coworkers in a customer‑service focus.

Knowledge of coding classification systems, DRG and APC systems, official coding guidelines, coding compliance.

Knowledge of an electronic medical record and imaging systems.

Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

Proficiency with electronic encoder application.

Extensive PC knowledge—common office software, coding software, and abstracting systems.

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

Interact and communicate effectively with the coding team and stakeholders.

Participate in coding section meetings and provide feedback; assist others and share knowledge.

Service Essential Functions

Respond promptly to internal and external customer requests to code or review coded accounts.

Initiate queries with physicians to clarify diagnoses or procedures, using the established query process.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

Assign diagnostic and procedural codes to high‑complexity encounters.

Maintain coding quality standards—accurate ICD‑10‑CM/ICD‑10‑PCS and CPT codes, APC assignment.

Review discharge disposition and correct data to maximize quality.

Abstract data into encoder and EHR to determine main diagnosis and other conditions.

Comply with AHIMA’s Standards of Ethical Coding and official guidelines.

Finance Essential Functions

Utilize time effectively, meeting or exceeding productivity standards while maintaining accuracy.

Support organization’s accounts receivable goals for uncoded accounts.

Maintain coding timeframes per departmental standards.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

Critically evaluate performance, accept constructive criticism, and identify improvement opportunities.

Contribute ideas to improve quality of coding and abstracting data.

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire

Uniform: No

Scrubs: No

Business professional: Yes

Other (department approved): No

On‑call

Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather).

On‑call: No

Travel

May require travel within Houston Metropolitan area: Yes

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: Yes

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