Sr Clinical Coding Specialist - OR Surgery

As a Senior Clinical Coding Specialist, this role supports accurate and compliant coding operations that directly impact revenue integrity and timely billing processes. The Senior Clinical Coding Specialist works collaboratively with internal teams to ensure high-quality coding and documentation standards. MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Senior Clinical Coding Specialist contributes to this mission through expert application of coding guidelines, communication with clinical teams, and support of institutional compliance.

The Senior Clinical Coding Specialist is essential in maintaining workflow efficiency, supporting documentation clarification, and ensuring coding accuracy. Individuals in this role must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and committed to continuous learning and adherence to official coding guidelines.

The ideal candidate for the Senior Clinical Coding Specialist will have surgery coder experience in Breast and Plastics, Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck, Urology and advanced knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT/HCPCS along with experience in both inpatient and outpatient coding.

Shift Hours: 8am - 5pm remote but must be able to attend meetings onsite as needed.

Salary: Minimum $67,000 annually Midpoint $83,500 annually Maximum $100,000 annually

Why Us?

The Senior Clinical Coding Specialist plays a key role in supporting MD Anderson's mission by ensuring coding accuracy, enabling timely billing, and upholding compliance standards. This position offers opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to high-impact operational workflows.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.

• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.

• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.

• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Key Responsibilities

People & Service (34%)

Communicate effectively with coding team members, management, business office, and external customers.

Provide detailed questions and feedback to management regarding coding issues, quality reviews, and training.

Support internal and external requests for coding corrections or re-reviews.

Report workflow or system issues promptly to management.

Development & Innovation (26%)

Advance professional growth through continuing education, coding rounds, seminars, and literature review.

Participate in team meetings and provide feedback on documentation challenges and compliance concerns.

Contribute to discussions on coding clinic updates and process improvements.

Coding Quality & Compliance (40%)

Maintain discharged-not-final-billed (DNB) and Pre-AR account thresholds as directed by leadership.

Apply official coding guidelines, coding clinics, and departmental policies accurately.

Review medical records and assign ICD-10 CM, CPT/HCPCS, modifiers, and other codes using 3M software, EPIC, and coding references.

Initiate physician queries when documentation is unclear or insufficient.

Uphold AHIMA ethical coding standards and HIPAA compliance rules.

EDUCATION

• Required: Associate's Degree Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration, or related healthcare field.

• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration, or related healthcare field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 5 years Clinical coding experience for complex or multi-specialties. or

• Required: 3 years Clinical coding experience for complex or multi-specialties with preferred degree.

• : May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis.

• Preferred: Prior experience working in a Teaching Hospital setting. This specific position is for a surgical position in OR surgical coding for both the physician and the facility.

Experience in Breast and Plastics, Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck, and/or Urology a plus.

A strong foundation in medical coding principles, including knowledge of ICD-10, CPT and HCPCS, along with practical experience in both inpatient and outpatient coding.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon Hire or

• Required: RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon Hire or

• Required: CCS-Certified Coding Specialist American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon Hire or

• Required: CCA - Certified Coding Associate American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon Hire or

• Required: Certified Coder-AHIMA or AAPC American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Upon Hire or

• Required: CPC-A - Cert Prof Coder-Apprentice American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Upon Hire or

• Required: COC - Certified Outpatient Coding American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Upon Hire

*OTHER REQUIREMENTS: *Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 184016

• Employment Status: Full-Time

• Employee Status: Regular

• Work Week: Days

• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 67,000

• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 83,500

• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 100,000

• FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay

• Fund Type: Hard

• Work Location: Remote (within Texas only)

• Pivotal Position: Yes

• Referral Bonus Available?: No

• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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