Clinical Documentation Integrity Manager

Job Family: CDI Specialist

About the role

The Clinical Documentation Integrity Manager assists the CDI Director with new client implementations and engagements, collaborates with the facility CDI team to meet contractual obligations, and achieves best-practice CDI metrics. Responsibilities include developing or updating CDI policies and procedures, ensuring efficient utilization of CDI technology, assisting with client month-end reporting, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and creating CDI education materials for both CDI staff and physicians. The role ensures the CDI team has the necessary tools for daily record reviews, query initiation, follow-up, and compliance reviews, while escalating issues to the appropriate management team members. Collaboration with facility teams and departments is required.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of a Clinical Documentation Improvement Solution with expert knowledge and experience.
• Assess and identify potential health system opportunities related to contractual and best-practice CDI metrics.
• Assist in developing processes and initiatives to improve clinical documentation performance.
• Demonstrate strong project management skills.
• Collaborate effectively with medical staff, clinical departments, and facility leadership.
• Utilize reporting technology to analyze and drive continual improvement for client and employee engagement.
• Maintain expert knowledge of CDI and coding process best practices.
• Drive optimal use of CDI technology tools and reporting capabilities.
• Manage and hold the CDI team accountable to key performance indicators.
• Lead by example, fostering a positive, transparent, and focused work environment.
• Cultivate relationships with facility leadership (HIM Director, Coding team, Case Management, Quality, and Medical staff) to advance business objectives.
• Assist in daily CDI program oversight, including productivity, quality, education, training, auditing, report management, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Advocate for best-practice CDI models to ensure accurate capture of documented care and proper numeric reporting codes.
• Monitor CDI program performance to align with departmental and organizational goals, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist in month-end client reporting and analysis to track performance trends and escalate issues as needed.
• Support CDI technology implementation as required.
• Maintain working knowledge of CDI technology for data entry, report generation, and tracking.
• Understand each client’s facility structure, needs, and relationships among clinical staff, physicians, and HIM.
• Stay updated on coding guidelines, DRG payer groups, case management/utilization review, clinical documentation trends, JCAHO/core measures, and clinical quality of care issues.
• Assist with in-service training, query compliance reviews, and physician education.
• Approve CDI timesheets, complete performance evaluations, and develop performance improvement plans if necessary.
• Communicate program updates, risks, or needs to the CDI Director and work to resolve or mitigate risks.
• Build trustworthy relationships with client staff, physicians, and Guidehouse staff.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of CDI and Revenue Cycle service offerings.
• Serve as the lead contact for the CDI Solution with clients.
• Assist in proposal development and actively participate in the recruiting process.
• Provide regular status updates to VP Operations, CDI Director, and department Directors.
• Lead meetings with CDI teams and other internal or client personnel as needed.
• Create deliverables suitable for senior-level client and internal audiences.
• Identify and articulate project obstacles/issues and determine potential solutions collaboratively.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• At least one of the following: RN, MD, or MD equivalent.
• Must maintain credential while employed.
• 7+ years of acute care hospital CDI experience.
• 3+ years of prior management experience.
• Familiarity with encoder and DRG assignment (MS and APR).
• Strong clinical understanding of disease processes.
• Current working knowledge of Coding Clinic Guidelines and federal updates to the DRG system (MS, APR, AP, etc.).
• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and disease processes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to employ tact and effectiveness.
• Ability to converse with physicians in sometimes difficult scenarios.
• Ability to conduct presentations to facility physicians and leadership.

Qualifications

• CCDS or CDIP credential preferred.
• RHIA, RHIT, or CCS Certification (nice to have).

Pay

The annual salary range for this position is $102,000.00–$170,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on skill sets, experience, training, security clearances, licensure, certifications, and business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays.
• Eligibility for a discretionary variable incentive bonus.
• Parental Leave.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan.
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability.
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities.
• Skills Development & Certifications.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach.
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program.