Description

Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) & Coding

 Step into a transformative leadership role at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)—one of the nation’s most respected pediatric healthcare systems. As the Director of CDI and Coding, you will shape the future of CHOP’s enterprise-wide documentation and coding strategy, leading innovative programs that directly impact care quality, operational excellence, and revenue integrity across the organization.

This is your opportunity to influence system-level change, drive best-in-class performance, and elevate a high-impact team at a world-class institution.

Why This Role Is Exciting

High visibility, high impact: Your leadership directly influences organizational quality, financial health, and provider experience.
Innovation-friendly environment: Lead modernization efforts, implement cutting-edge tools, and reimagine workflows across CDI and coding.
Strategic seat at the table: Serve as a key partner to clinical, operational, and revenue cycle leaders across CHOP.
Grow and lead a talented workforce: Manage two leadership roles (Manager of CDI and Manager of Coding Operations) and a dynamic team of 70–80 internal and contingent staff.
Mission-driven work: Contribute to CHOP’s renowned mission of delivering exceptional care to children and families.
 
 

What You Bring

 Broad, robust expertise in CDI, coding, and the healthcare revenue cycle.
A passion for operational improvement, data analytics, and strategic leadership.
Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams through change and transformation.
Deep commitment to integrity, quality, collaboration, and organizational impact.
 
 
Work Environment & Flexibility

 Mostly Remote(Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) for optimal work-life balance.
Quarterly onsite meetings required at CHOP—bringing teams and leaders together to plan, connect, and innovate.
 

What you will do
 

 
Departmental Leadership

 Provide an experience and environment of patient- and family-centered care.
Interpret the impact of broad organizational change and develop strategies for successful implementation.
Model ICARE values through all interactions.
Leverage leadership competencies to support self-development and the development of others.
Develop and manage operational initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Formulate goals, objectives, and strategies in collaboration with stakeholders.
Prepare and deliver reports to operational leadership outlining progress toward quarterly/annual goals, including financial, clinical, quality, and HR performance.
 
Financial Leadership

Actively seek opportunities to improve financial outcomes and engage staff in the process.
Establish annual financial goals and benchmark against high-performing systems to set performance targets.
Monitor and analyze financial data for decisions related to FTEs, staffing, and operational budgets.
Establish annual operating and capital budgets and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
Create business plans, justify variances, and conduct cost-benefit analyses.
Provide guidance to managers on resource allocation based on volume, budget, space, and program priorities.
Communicate budget context and organizational financials to staff.
 

 
Administrative & Operational Leadership

Provide leadership, direction, and coordination of operations, finance, and HR for areas of responsibility.
Manage and direct all activities within the department.
Continuously assess services, identify problems, and propose innovative improvements.
Maintain complete, accurate, compliant operational and service records.
Engage staff and stakeholders in continuous improvement efforts.
Ensure effective facilitation of improvement teams and develop meeting leadership skills.
Organize and prioritize time and resources effectively; delegate appropriately.
Stay current on trends and best practices, integrating them into CDI and Coding programs.
Set and enforce quality and productivity standards.
Develop and implement systems to improve performance and outcomes.
Demonstrate measurable results and create improvement action plans.
Monitor and enforce regulatory requirements.
Hold self and others accountable to policies and standards.
Ensure initiatives that improve patient satisfaction and family-centered care.
Develop and implement clinical outcome measures for quality improvement.
Use evidence-based practice and appreciative inquiry for program development.
 
 

Communication & Relationship Management

Actively listen to staff and adapt communication styles to audience needs.
Facilitate meetings across CDI, Coding, Revenue Integrity, Revenue Cycle, and system-level stakeholders.
Communicate data and information clearly and concisely.
Share ideas and opinions in a nonjudgmental, professional manner.
Communicate with physicians, academic leaders, and senior administrators to coordinate programs.
Demonstrate empathy and concern while maintaining performance expectations.
Manage interdepartmental relationships across CDI, Coding, Health Information Operations, Revenue Integrity, and Revenue Cycle.
Foster an environment that values diverse opinions and perspectives.
Recognize how personal beliefs impact interactions and respond appropriately.
Create systems for recognizing and rewarding staff.
 
 

Resource & Talent Management

Create and sustain a workplace that supports professional growth and job satisfaction.
Interview and select talent matched to CDI and Coding needs.
Develop recruitment and retention strategies aligned with leadership culture.
Identify personal professional growth needs and pursue development.
Assess staff development needs, set goals, and provide resources.
Identify performance gaps and establish improvement plans.
Maintain membership in relevant professional organizations.
Integrate ethical standards and core values into daily operations.
 
 

Education & Research Support

Provide opportunities for leaders and staff to develop skills aligned with career goals.
Contribute to a learning environment with educational opportunities for staff, cross-functional teams, students, residents, fellows, and faculty.
 

Critical Interfaces & Committees

Lead and/or serve on internal and external committees representing CDI and Coding programs.
Serve as a CHOP representative to support relationships with cross-functional teams.
 
 

Compliance, Performance Metrics & Controls

Manage and meet quality and production targets for CDI and Coding.
Develop and maintain KPIs/SLAs and performance reports.
Prepare weekly and monthly metrics and updates.
Develop and implement CDI and Coding policies and procedures, including audit processes.
Monitor compliance with CMS guidelines, ICD-10, CPT, and CHOP policies.
Maintain quality assurance programs and communicate issues.
Identify opportunities to improve physician documentation.
Act as a subject matter expert in CMS regulations related to CDI, coding, and auditing.
Apply financial information in operational decision-making; support budgeting and performance monitoring.
Manage outsourced vendors and service-level agreements.
Communicate significant audit findings within two weeks to appropriate leadership.
Maintain clinical, billing, and compliance knowledge; complete required CEUs.
Prepare formal reports and present findings to clinical staff, managers, administration, and PARC staff.
Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
Use applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at an expert level.
Support other projects as needed.
Assist Revenue Analytics with month-end close.
Provide clinical care and billing guidance for contract negotiations.
Collaborate with Internal Audit and Billing Compliance on departmental reviews.
Partner with PFS and HIM Operations to resolve billing and collection issues.

Requirements

Education Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree Health-related field - Required
 

Experience Qualifications

At least five (5) years Management experience in medical coding, clinical documentation integrity in a medium or large healthcare facility. Required
At least three (3) years Experience with an academic medical center. Preferred
At least six (6) months Experience with pediatrics services. Preferred
 

Required Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated creativity and flexibility.
Ability to operate in high-pressure situations.
Working knowledge of revenue cycle processes.
Demonstrated innovative approach to problem resolution.
Ability to work collaboratively across Children's Hospital of Philadelphia entities and disciplines.
Broad knowledge of modern health care administration practices and principles within a managed care environment and/or an academic medical center.
Effective and analytical ability to develop and analyze options, recommend solutions to and solve complex problems and issues.
Demonstrated effective managerial and administrative leadership of coding operations and collaborative working with Clinical Documentation Integrity programs.
Knowledge of principles and techniques used in negotiation as applied to service contracts and equipment purchasing.
Effective organizational, planning, and project management abilities.
Experience in financial and programmatic presentations.
Ability to function independently and deal with multiple, simultaneous projects.
Ability to recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and develop goals for professional growth and achievement.
Ability to demonstrate a commitment to quality and excellence.
Expert knowledge of coding rules.
Computer skills essential.
Will need to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio at a minimum.
Effective leadership abilities:  Ability to implement change in a positive, sensitive, and forward-thinking manner; planning and problem solving; developing goals and objectives, and establishes priorities; inspires confidence, appropriate risk taking, and achievement of high standards; self-started with a willingness to try new ideas; positive, can-do attitude coupled with a sense of urgency; good judgement and ability to act decisively at the right time; ability to persuade others to act decisively at the right time; ability to persuade others and develop consensus; effective communication skills both in written and verbal presentation with a communication style that is open and foster trust, credibility, and understanding; ability to effect collaboration and promote teamwork; ability to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction including employees, patients, visitors, faculty, referring physicians, and external stakeholders; ability to create win/win solutions and relationships.
 

Licenses and Certifications
 

Required Upon Hire

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) AND
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
 

Required After Hire

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) - Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) - within 12 months
 

Preferred After Hire

Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) - Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS) OR
Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)