Director of Inpatient CDI - Clinical Documentation Integrity Program - FT

UCI Health is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine, and the only academic health system based in Orange County. UCI Health is comprised of its main campus, UCI Medical Center, a 459-bed, acute care hospital in in Orange, Calif., four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and ambulatory care centers across the region. Listed among America's Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years, UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to Orange County's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County.

To learn more about UCI Health, visit www.ucihealth.org.

Position Summary:

The Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) is responsible for leadership and management of CDI operations across the UCI Health organization, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, regulatory compliance, and clinical quality standards. Incumbent is responsible for strategic planning, program development, performance improvement, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation integrity across inpatient services. Ensures standards of unit operations are in compliance with all state and federal healthcare regulatory agencies ACDIS & AHIMA guidelines for compliant query, as well as hospital policies and procedure. This individual is pivotal in fostering relationships with healthcare providers, collaborating with clinical teams, and promoting best practices in documentation for improved patient care outcomes and financial performance.

Total Compensation

We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong clinical knowledge with ability to interpret clinical documentation
• Previous supervisory experience
• Must possess the skill, knowledge and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties
• Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in CDI, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Knowledge of CMS, Joint Commission, CADP, and other regulatory and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with Utilization Review criteria
• Expertise in clinical documentation systems and proficiency with CDI software, EMR systems (Epic, Cerner, etc.), and coding tools.
• Experience with ICD-10-CM/PCS coding, DRG systems, Risk Management Methodologies, PSI's and clinical documentation standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Current CA RN license
• Critical thinking skills to problem solve and communicate with physicians on clinical issues
• Complete understanding of acuity levels for specific patient populations
• Certification as a Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS, CCDS-O, or CDIP) required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Analytical and data-driven, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload
• Ability to influence and work collaboratively with physicians and all levels of staff
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience with comprehensive chart / record review
• Master's degree with an emphasis in health care related fields (nursing, epidemiology, etc.)
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies
• Knowledge of patient safety strategies
• Knowledge of University and medical center organizations, policies, procedures and forms
• CCS or CPC Coding Credential

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to Work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI's Employee Experience Center (EEC) at eec@uci.edu or at (949) 824-0500, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.