Specialist - Professional Coding (Surgery)

Job Summary

By embodying our core purpose of customer obsession, new ideas, and driving innovation, and delivering excellence, you will help ensure that every touchpoint is meaningful and contributes to our mission of redefining the possible in healthcare.

Advanced outpatient coding position that reviews medical record documentation and accurately assigns ICD-10-CM, CPT codes and modifiers based on the specific record type for each case in compliance with insurance specific guidelines.

Job Competencies

Valuing Differences - Works effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; seeks out and uses unique abilities, insights, and ideas. Considers the collective.

Collaboration - Works cooperatively within teams and partners with others, both internally and externally as needed, to achieve success; focuses on the results of the team, not the achievements of one person. Its “All for One and One for All”.

Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility and/or consequences of failure and successes, delivering on commitments and refocusing effort when needed. Someone who is willing to step up and own it.

Time Management - Effectively manages personal time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Developing Trust - Gains others’ confidence by acting with integrity and following through on

Commitments. Treats others and their ideas with respect and supports them in the face of challenges.

Takes Initiative - Takes prompt action to accomplish goals and achieve results beyond what is required, is proactive and pursues relentlessly.

Essential Job Functions

Customer Obsession - Consistently provide exceptional experience for our clients, patients, and colleagues by understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations.

Embracing New Ideas - Continuously innovate by embracing emerging technology and fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation.

Striving for Excellence - Execute at a high level by demonstrating our “Best in KLAS” Ensemble

Difference Principles and consistently delivering outstanding results.

Review medical record documentation and accurately assign appropriate ICD-10-CM, CPT, Modifiers and HCPCS codes utilizing 3M software tools for all outpatient records.  Should be an expert in Cariology

Cardiothoracic surgeries and Interventional Radiology procedures to include at least 3 of the following:

Cardiothoracic (CT Surgery) Coders

Cardiothoracic coders handle open surgical procedures of the heart, chest, and great vessels.

Common Procedure Categories

• Open Heart Surgery: CABG (single/multiple vessels, arterial/venous grafts), Valve repair and replacement (aortic, mitral, tricuspid), Atrial appendage ligation
• Structural Heart Surgery: TAVR / SAVR, Open structural repairs
• Thoracic Surgery: Sternotomy and thoracotomy procedures, Pericardial procedures, Mediastinal procedures
• Great Vessel Surgery: Aortic aneurysm repair (open), Arch repairs, Dissections
• Harvest & AddOn Procedures: Saphenous vein harvest, Internal mammary artery harvest, Assistant surgeon modifiers (80/81/82/AS)

Cardiology Coders: Diagnostic, interventional, and devicerelated cardiac procedures (nonopen heart surgery)

Common Procedure Categories

• Diagnostic & Testing:  EKGs, stress tests, Holter/event monitors, Echocardiograms (TTE, TEE), Nuclear cardiology studies, Cardiac CT / CTA
• Cardiac Catheterization:  Left/right heart caths, Coronary angiography, Hemodynamic studies, Cath addon codes
• Interventional Cardiology (PCI): Coronary angioplasty, Coronary stent placement (single, multiple, bifurcation), Chronic total occlusion (CTO) interventions, Atherectomy
• Electrophysiology: EP diagnostic studies, Ablations, Cardioversions, Device interrogation
• Cardiac Devices: Pacemaker and ICD insertion, replacement, removal, Loop recorders, Device checks and programming

Vascular Coders (IVR) :  Arterial and venous procedures outside the heart, including both open and endovascular work.

Common Procedure Categories

• Endovascular Interventions:  Peripheral angioplasty, Peripheral stent placement, Atherectomy, Thrombectomy, Chronic limb ischemia interventions
• Lower Extremity Revascularization (LER):  Territorybased revascularization codes, Iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial/peroneal interventions
• Diagnostic Vascular Imaging:  Peripheral angiography, Venography, Selective and nonselective catheter placements
• Dialysis Access:  AV fistula and graft creation, Revisions, Thrombectomy of access
• Venous Procedures: IVC filter placement/removal, Venous ablation, Varicose vein procedures

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Associates may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Education, Certifications & Experience

Desired Expertise: Should be an expert in coding Cariology, Cardiothoracic surgeries and Interventional Cardiology (IVR) procedures.

Graduate in any discipline (B.Sc./M.Sc. Nursing, B. Pharm, M. Pharm, or Life Sciences education is preferred).

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

1 - 3 years of relevant experience in Medical Coding

Solid understanding of coding compliance, DRG/APC grouping, and insurance rules.

Experience with EHR/EMR systems (Epic, Cerner, Athena).

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills is critical for the success of this role..