How you’ll contribute  

A HIM Director who excels in this role: 

• Directs the day-to-day operations of the Health Information Management (HIM) department, ensuring timely, accurate, confidential, and compliant management of patient health information.

• Provides leadership and oversight to onsite HIM staff and remote Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) team members, including scheduling, performance management, staff development, workflow oversight, and employee engagement.

• Serves as the facility Privacy Officer, providing leadership and guidance related to HIPAA, patient privacy, confidentiality, medical record amendments, and other privacy-related matters.

• Oversees Release of Information (ROI) operations and serves as the facility liaison with the contracted ROI vendor to ensure timely and compliant fulfillment of medical record requests.

• Oversees medical record completion processes, including daily chart analysis, assignment and monitoring of physician deficiencies, provider communication, and escalation of aging deficiencies in accordance with facility policy.

• Monitors HIM-related unbilled accounts and work queues, including accounts held for missing documentation, and partners with Patient Financial Services, Revenue Cycle, Case Management, Revenue Integrity, and other departments to facilitate timely resolution.

• Serves as the facility liaison to centralized coding operations, monitoring coding queues and turnaround times and coordinating with HSC coding leadership regarding delays, questions, and coding-related concerns.

• Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and outpatient coding processes and participates in multidisciplinary denial-management activities, including review and escalation of coding- and documentation-related issues as appropriate.

• Provides local leadership and operational support for the CDI program, serving as a liaison between remote CDI staff, physicians, facility staff, and HSC CDI leadership; reviews program metrics and supports provider education opportunities.

• Oversees vital-record processes, including birth certificate and paternity documentation, and promotes timely completion to support patients and families prior to discharge.

• Ensures completion and submission of required state and regulatory reporting, including Nevada UB-04 data and applicable mortality, tumor registry, and other required reports.

• Chairs and/or participates in facility committees and operational meetings, including Forms/PHI, Compliance, Utilization Management, Denials/DMAT, unbilled, department director, and HIM leadership meetings.

• Oversees the review and approval of new or revised medical record forms and coordinates necessary changes within the electronic medical record.

• Partners with physicians, clinical departments, Quality, Compliance, Revenue Cycle, Information Technology, and other stakeholders to address medical record, documentation, privacy, workflow, and system-related needs.

• Serves as a key facility resource for HIM applications and medical-record reporting needs, assisting with identification, troubleshooting, escalation, and follow-up of system or workflow issues.

• Supports new service-line implementation by identifying and coordinating HIM, documentation, forms, and electronic medical record requirements.

• Maintains compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, CMS requirements, accreditation standards, organizational policies, and health information management best practices.

• Supports regulatory surveys and audits by assisting with retrieval, validation, and interpretation of medical record information as needed.

• Oversees medical record retention, storage, archival, and appropriate destruction processes in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.

• Identifies opportunities to improve HIM workflows, technology utilization, patient experience, departmental efficiency, and quality.

• Develops strong working relationships with physicians and hospital leadership and communicates HIM performance, trends, risks, and operational needs to appropriate stakeholders.

What we’re looking for 
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred (applicable HIM/healthcare experience may be considered in lieu of degree.). Additional requirements include: 

• Prior experience working in Health Information Management/Medical Records within an acute-care hospital environment.

• Working knowledge of HIM operations, medical record requirements, HIPAA, patient privacy, confidentiality, and healthcare regulatory/compliance standards.

• General knowledge of inpatient and outpatient coding processes and the relationship between clinical documentation, coding, denials, and hospital billing; hands-on coding experience is not required.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, develop, and manage employees; experience managing both onsite and remote staff preferred.

• Strong computer and technology skills with the ability to learn, navigate, and work effectively across multiple healthcare information systems and applications.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, clinical staff, hospital leadership, Revenue Cycle, Compliance, Quality, and other internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational information and performance metrics, identify issues, prioritize competing responsibilities, and drive issues through resolution.

• Ability to appropriately manage sensitive and confidential information and navigate complex employee, physician, patient, and compliance-related situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) or RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) certification preferred.

• Previous supervisory or management experience within an acute-care HIM/Medical Records department.

• Experience with MedHost and/or Quanum strongly preferred.

• Experience with CDI, Release of Information, physician deficiency management, unbilled/DNFB workflows, denials, vital records, and/or regulatory reporting preferred.

• Experience serving as a Privacy Officer or supporting facility-level HIPAA/privacy compliance preferred.

• Experience participating in healthcare regulatory surveys, audits, compliance activities, or interdisciplinary hospital committees preferred.

Why join us 

We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:   

• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees. 
• Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.  
• Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match. 
• Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs). 
• Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities. 

More about Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital  

Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital is a 75-bed acute care hospital that offers exceptional care to Elko county and the surrounding areas of northeastern Nevada. We are recognized by the American College of Cardiology as an accredited Chest Pain Center and we believe that health care should be effective, safer, and more available to all people.  We are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality, family-friendly care available.