JOB PURPOSE: The Coding Manager provides oversight of medical coding functions to ensure accurate, timely, complete, and compliant coding of healthcare services in accordance with Official Coding Guidelines, AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding, CMS regulations, and organizational policies. As a working manager, this position actively performs coding duties across all coding areas as needed to support operational requirements and ensure coding turnaround times are consistently met. The Coding Manager conducts internal coding audits as needed and develops and provides education programs based on internal and external audit findings, coding trends, regulatory updates, and identified opportunities for improvement. This role promotes coding quality, documentation integrity, regulatory compliance, staff development, and collaboration with clinical and administrative teams to improve documentation practices and operational efficiency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Oversees daily coding operations and provides direction, and support to coding staff to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely coding practices.
• Monitors coding productivity, quality, accuracy, and turnaround times to ensure departmental goals and performance expectations are achieved.
• Monitors discharged not final coded (DNFC) days reports and collaborates with HIM Director and coding staff to address barriers impacting timely coding completion.
• Performs coding across all service lines and patient types as needed, including inpatient, swing bed, same-day surgery, ancillary, ambulatory, emergency department, provider-based clinics, and professional services to support workflow demands and maintain required turnaround times.
• Conducts internal and supplemental coding audits as needed and analyzes audit findings, revenue cycle edit/denial information, and other performance data to identify trends, compliance risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develops and provides coder education and training based on audit results, coding trends, regulatory updates, documentation requirements, and identified learning needs.
• Mentors, trains, and supports coding staff, including onboarding new employees, facilitating cross-training initiatives, conducting coding staff evaluations, and serving as an expert coding resource for coding questions and issues.
• Manages coding staff performance and productivity through coaching, feedback, and ongoing
• Manages coding staff performance and productivity through ongoing coaching, feedback, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities. Identifies training needs, supports employee growth, and promotes accountability to achieve department goals, quality standards, and operational expectations.
• Ensures an effective and compliant physician query process in collaboration with providers and the coding team. Partners with CDI and the HIM Director to identify opportunities, address process challenges, and implement improvements that enhance documentation quality, coding accuracy, and overall workflow efficiency.
• Assists HIM Director in the development, implementation and maintenance of coding policies and procedures.
• Troubleshoots coding-related issues, including encoder, abstracting, and EHR system concerns, and assists coding staff with resolution. Collaborates directly with EHR representatives and system support teams to identify, address, and resolve issues impacting coding accuracy, workflow efficiency, and operational performance.
• Collaborates with providers, clinical departments, revenue cycle teams, HIM leadership, and organizational stakeholders to improve documentation quality, coding accuracy, operational efficiency, and financial integrity.
• Supports continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance coding compliance, productivity, workflow effectiveness, and revenue cycle performance.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the HIM Director regarding coding operations, compliance concerns, staffing matters, productivity, system issues, and other significant departmental activities. Provides prompt notification and escalation of issues that may impact coding accuracy, turnaround times, regulatory compliance, or operational performance.
• Adheres to established work schedule and remote work expectations and maintains appropriate availability during scheduled hours.
• Requests scheduled time off in advance to support appropriate staffing coverage and continuity of operations.
• Demonstrates effective time management and accountability while working remotely by adhering to established schedules, maintaining availability during designated work hours, meeting productivity expectations, and completing assigned responsibilities within required timelines.
• Complies with all AVEM policies, procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental operations and organizational goals.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

• The individual must support the mission, vision, and goals of Avem Health Partners and serve as a role model within the company.
• Exhibit positive customer service behavior in everyday work interactions.
• Demonstrate a courteous and respectful attitude to internal workforce and external customers.
• Communicate accurately and appropriately.
• Handle difficult situations in a discreet and professional manner.
• Hold self-accountability for professional practice.
• Participate in performance improvement activities utilizing principles to support and improve departmental goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge of unit goals and is active in committees and projects to achieve these goals.
• Keep current with literature regarding changing practices, interventions and best practices.
• Assume responsibility for seeking out educational and professional opportunities for personal learning needs and growth as well as meeting mandatory education requirements.
• Act as a preceptor as requested.
• Demonstrate excellent work attendance and actively participate in a variety of meetings and training sessions as required.
• Adhere to the Avem Health Partners Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior. Comply with established policies and procedures and all health and safety requirements.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Current nationally recognized certification in good standing: Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management (HIM), Nursing or related field preferred. Associate’s degree minimum

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five years of coding experience in an acute care or critical access hospital setting, including coding for all inpatient and outpatient service classifications.
• Minimum of two years in supervisory role in HIM and/or Coding.
• Strong knowledge of HIM principles and departmental functions.
• Advanced, comprehensive knowledge of coding guidelines, rules, conventions, and reimbursement methodologies.
• Ability to review and analyze all components of the medical record to ensure accurate, complete, and compliant code assignment.
• Experience conducting coding quality audits using statistically valid random sampling methodologies; calculating coding accuracy rates; identifying trends; and providing meaningful education and feedback to coding staff.
• Proficient in the use of encoder software, coding references, and other coding-related applications and tools.
• Self-motivated with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and demonstrate the initiative to resolve issues in support of improvement efforts.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact with a variety of team members.
• Commitment to ongoing education and professional development to maintain HIM and/or Coding certifications and stay current with industry standards.
• Strong ethical standards and commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality and data security.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodation must be requested by the employee/applicant to be considered.
• This job requires visual abilities, auditory abilities, and must be intact to perform duties.