Inpatient Coding Education & Improvement Specialist

Job Summary

The Inpatient Coding Education & Improvement Specialist supports inpatient coding quality, education, and continuous improvement. This role reviews coding-quality findings, identifies trends and knowledge gaps, develops targeted education, and collaborates with coding operations, DQS, CDI, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders to improve coding accuracy and consistency.

Key Job Functions

• Review coding-quality findings, requests, accounts, and recommendations for accuracy.
• Analyze trends, root causes, coding risks, and education opportunities.
• Develop and deliver targeted inpatient coding education.
• Support coder onboarding, feedback, and development.
• Maintain coding guidance, educational resources, and review documentation.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on coding-quality issues.
• Escalate complex or cross-functional issues when appropriate.
• Support continuous improvement across coding quality workflows.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Management preferred
• Licenses and Credentials: RHIA/RHIT or CCS
• Experience:
  • Experience in inpatient facility coding, coding quality review, auditing, or coding education.
  • Experience reviewing DRG-related issues, diagnosis/procedure coding concerns, query-related items, and quality-impact findings.
  • Experience developing education, tip sheets, or other coding resources.
  • Experience working with coding operations, DQS/quality teams, CDI, compliance, or leadership.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of inpatient coding guidelines, MS-DRG/APR-DRG methodology, documentation requirements, and coding-quality principles.
• Ability to evaluate coding findings and apply coding guidance accurately.
• Strong analytical skills to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Ability to communicate coding concepts clearly through education and feedback.
• Strong organization, follow-through, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.