Coding Apprentice

At Houston Methodist the Coding Apprentice position is responsible for obtaining the educational material knowledge and experience needed to be competent to assign accurate diagnostic and procedure codes in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting based upon documentation within the electronic medical record while maintaining compliance with established rules and regulatory guidelines. This position must demonstrate progressive ability and knowledge of coding and applicable guidelines in accordance with the program curriculum.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental Scope of Service and Provision of Care plans as applicable for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional ethical physical and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth dignity and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET Managing Up Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees experiential journeys to ensure strong communication ease of access to information and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organizations vision fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts and communicates effectively with members of the coding team and the appropriate stakeholders.

• Participates and provides good feedback during coding section meetings and coding education inservices as well as takes initiative to assist others and shares knowledge with the appropriate stakeholders.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Actively participates in training activity geared towards achieving competency in the assignment of accurate diagnostic and procedure codes in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting.

• Responds promptly to internal and external customer requests. Responds promptly and appropriately to requests to code or review coded accounts for accuracy.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and achieves the highest standards of coding quality by assigning accurate/ICD10CM/ICD10PCS and HCPCS/CPT codes utilizing an electronic encoder application in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory body guidelines.

• Maintains and achieves department standards of abstracting quality by reviewing accurate discharge disposition entered by nursing and corrects if necessary in order to achieve the highest quality of entered data. Assigns and enters physician identification number and procedure date correctly in the medical record abstracting system.

• Reviews medical record documentation and abstracts data into the encoder and Electronic Health Record (EHR) to determine principal or final diagnosis comorbid conditions and complications secondary conditions and procedures. Utilizes all tools/ resources for accuracy.

• Complies with the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to official guidelines.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes time and resources effectively throughout the education program.

• Ensures all work assignments are completed on time to keep pace with the education program syllabus.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Continuously progresses in basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks.

• Critically evaluates own performance accepts constructive criticism and looks for ways to improve.

This job description is not intended to be allinclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Associates degree or higher or currently enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) accredited program

WORK EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS PREFERRED

• RHIT Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA) OR
• RHIA Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA) OR
• CCS Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA) OR
• CCA Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA) OR
• CCSP Certified Coding Specialist Physicianbased (AHIMA) OR
• CPC Certified Professional Coder (AAPC) OR
• Other coding credential by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job determined through ongoing skills competency assessments and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients physicians family members and coworkers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge of coding classification systems DRG and APC systems official coding guidelines and coding compliance

• Working knowledge of medical terminology anatomy and physiology

• Extensive PC knowledge must be able to work effectively in common office software coding software and abstracting systems

• Knowledge of an electronic medical record and imaging systems preferred

• Proficiency with electronic encoder application preferred

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ONCALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be oncall during emergencies (ie. DIsaster Severe Weather Events etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nations leading health systems and academic medical centers. HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area. HM also includes an academic institute a comprehensive residency program a global business division numerous physician practices and several freestanding emergency rooms and outpatient facilities. Overall HM employs over 25000 employees. Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.