Lead Clinical Documentation Specialist

Ascension Executive Recruitment

Lead Clinical Documentation Specialist addressing urgent CDI issues and coding anomalies for Ascension’s nonprofit Catholic health system. Driving audits, compliance, training, and documentation integrity.

Posted 8/19/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $96,209 - $134,110 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) through effective leadership, compliance management, and strategic initiative implementation. Proficient in analyzing documentation trends and mentoring staff to enhance coding accuracy and address payer denials.

Highest-signal resume keywords

CCDS CertificationClinical Documentation Professional CredentialLeadership ExperienceProject Management ExperienceData-Driven Decision-Making

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

CDI AnalysisCoding Data AnalysisDRG ValidationQuality ImprovementCompliance Management

Soft Skills

MentoringCommunicationProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

Rapid-Cycle AuditsDocumentation Investigation

Certifications & Qualifications

CCDS CertificationClinical Documentation Professional Credential

Industry Keywords

Payer DenialsAuditsCoding RulesStrategic CDI InitiativesEscalation

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the primary resource for urgent CDI issues, including payer denials, audits, and DRG validation
Address immediate system needs, including high denial rates, quality issues, and new coding rules
Mentor front-line CDSs on complex cases, query framing, and escalation
Analyze documentation and coding data for trends and improvement
Lead and ensure compliance of strategic CDI initiatives across markets and systems
Evaluate strategic results and recommend implementation pathways
Support strategic initiatives, rapid-cycle audits, real-time investigation of documentation and coding anomalies, training, compliance, and data-driven decision-making

Requirements

What you’ll need

CCDS Certification is required
Clinical Documentation Prof. credentialed from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 1 year of experience OR 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience
Lead experience
Project Management experience
2 years of leadership or management experience preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid time off (PTO)
Various health insurance options & wellness plans
Retirement benefits including employer match plans
Long-term & short-term disability
Employee assistance programs (EAP)
Parental leave & adoption assistance
Tuition reimbursement
Ways to give back to your community