Coding Specialist Sr. - Team Lead

Overview

The US Oncology Network is looking for a Coding Specialist to join our team at Texas Oncology! This full time hybrid remote position will support our Central Business Office at 3001 E President George Bush Hwy Richardson, TX 75082. This position will work Monday - Friday and also requires the candidate to live in the state of Texas.

As a part of The US Oncology Network, Texas Oncology delivers high-quality, evidence-based care to patients close to home. Texas Oncology is the largest community oncology provider in the country and has approximately 530 providers in 280+ sites across Texas, our founders pioneered community-based cancer care because they believed in making the best available cancer care accessible to all communities, allowing people to fight cancer at home with the critical support of family and friends nearby. Our mission is still the same today—at Texas Oncology, we use leading-edge technology and research to deliver high-quality, evidence-based cancer care to help our patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” ® in their fight against cancer. Today, Texas Oncology treats half of all Texans diagnosed with cancer on an annual basis.

The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of community-based oncology physicians dedicated to advancing cancer care in America. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology, and quality of care.

Responsibilities

What does the Coding Specialist do?

Under direct supervision, performs all medical record coding activities. Assigns appropriate diagnostic codes to patient charts and reports as assigned. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

The essential duties and responsibilities:

• Abstracts relevant clinical and demographic information from the medical record to assign ICD-9 and CPT-4 codes in accordance with coding and reimbursement guidelines.
• Identifies principal and secondary diagnosis with minimal error based on the national based standards.
• Codes with an accuracy of 97% based on QA internal reviews.
• Records all diagnostic procedures and assigns appropriate procedure codes.
• Requests diagnosis from physicians when information is not recorded.
• Determines and records the required medical information.
• Updates coding procedures and guidelines. Works with medical assistants and other staff in coordinating medical information and patient charts.
• Maintains the confidentiality of the medical information contained in each record.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position will have the following background and experience:

Level 1

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of a course in medical record technology.
• Minimum one year of coding medical experience required, three years experience medical coding preferred.
• Applicable certification preferred.
• Knowledge of medical records coding procedures and knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT-4 Coding Systems highly desirable.

Level Sr (in addition to level 1 requirements)

• Completion of a course in Medical Terminology
• Minimum five years medical coding experience, prior oncology experience preferred.
• Certification as RHIT preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Requires vision and hearing corrected to normal ranges.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office environment.

The ideal candidate for the position will have the following background and experience:

Level 1

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of a course in medical record technology.
• Minimum one year of coding medical experience required, three years experience medical coding preferred.
• Applicable certification preferred.
• Knowledge of medical records coding procedures and knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT-4 Coding Systems highly desirable.

Level Sr (in addition to level 1 requirements)

• Completion of a course in Medical Terminology
• Minimum five years medical coding experience, prior oncology experience preferred.
• Certification as RHIT preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Requires vision and hearing corrected to normal ranges.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office environment.

What does the Coding Specialist do?

Under direct supervision, performs all medical record coding activities. Assigns appropriate diagnostic codes to patient charts and reports as assigned. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

The essential duties and responsibilities:

• Abstracts relevant clinical and demographic information from the medical record to assign ICD-9 and CPT-4 codes in accordance with coding and reimbursement guidelines.
• Identifies principal and secondary diagnosis with minimal error based on the national based standards.
• Codes with an accuracy of 97% based on QA internal reviews.
• Records all diagnostic procedures and assigns appropriate procedure codes.
• Requests diagnosis from physicians when information is not recorded.
• Determines and records the required medical information.
• Updates coding procedures and guidelines. Works with medical assistants and other staff in coordinating medical information and patient charts.
• Maintains the confidentiality of the medical information contained in each record.