Ascension

Lead Clinical Documentation Specialist (CDS)

Ascension • $96K — $134K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Reposted Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Clinical Documentation Prof. credential required from ACDIS before hire or transfer.
  • High School diploma with 2 years of experience, or Associate's/Bachelor's degree with 1 year, or 5 years of job-specific experience.
  • Preferred: 2 years of leadership or management experience.
  • Lead experience is preferred.
  • CDDS certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a high-level CDI expert for urgent issues across the program.
  • Address immediate CDI needs, including payer denials and audits.
  • Mentor CDSs on complex documentation cases and analysis.
  • Lead compliance for strategic CDI initiatives across markets.
  • Evaluate strategic results and suggest implementation pathways.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, vision, and prescription.
  • Financial security through employer-matched 403(b) and insurance plans.
  • Pro-rated paid time off and holidays for work-life balance.
  • Ascension-paid tuition and ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Employee assistance programs and wellness resources for emotional support.
  • Parental leave and adoption assistance for family support.
  • Additional optional benefits like legal and pet insurance.
Full Job Description
Your future role at a glance

Location: Remote

Department/Specialty: Clinical Documentation Integrity

Schedule: Full Time | Day

Salary: $96,208.99-$134,109.89

#LI-remote

How you'll make an impact in this role

  • The Lead Clinical Document Specialist (CDS) - Rapid Response serves as a high-level clinical documentation integrity expert, deployed to address urgent, complex, or high-impact issues across the CDI program. This role supports strategic initiatives, facilitates rapid-cycle audits, and investigates documentation and coding anomalies in real-time. The Rapid Response Lead works collaboratively across departments to drive accurate documentation, coding integrity, and risk adjustment capture, while supporting training, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Serve as the primary resource for urgent CDI issues (e.g., payer denials, audits, DRG validation). Address immediate system needs (e.g., high denial rates, quality issues, 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/systems. Evaluate strategic results and recommend implementation pathways.
  • CCDS Certified

What minimum requirements you'll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

Required Credential(s):

  • Clinical Documentation Prof. credentialed from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.


Education:

  • High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate'
    degree/Bachelor's degree with 1 year of experience OR 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required. 2 years of leadership or management experience preferred.

What additional preferences we're seeking

  • Lead experience
  • Project Management experience
  • CCDS Certified


Responsibilities

  • The Lead Clinical Document Specialist (CDS) - Rapid Response serves as a high-level clinical documentation integrity expert, deployed to address urgent, complex, or high-impact issues across the CDI program. This role supports strategic initiatives, facilitates rapid-cycle audits, and investigates documentation and coding anomalies in real-time. The Rapid Response Lead works collaboratively across departments to drive accurate documentation, coding integrity, and risk adjustment capture, while supporting training, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Serve as the primary resource for urgent CDI issues (e.g., payer denials, audits, DRG validation). Address immediate system needs (e.g., high denial rates, quality issues, 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/systems. Evaluate strategic results and recommend implementation pathways.
  • CCDS Certified


Qualifications

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

Required Credential(s):

  • Clinical Documentation Prof. credentialed from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.


Education:

  • High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate'
    degree/Bachelor's degree with 1 year of experience OR 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required. 2 years of leadership or management experience preferred.

About Ascension

Ascension is a healthcare company that provides a range of services, including hospital care, primary care, and specialty care. The company operates more than 150 hospitals and 50 senior living facilities across the United States. Ascension also offers health insurance and other healthcare-related services. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Learn more about Ascension
Size
165,000 employees
Industry
Healthcare
Founded
1999
* Ladders Estimates

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