Consultant - Professional Coding Director

**Role Overview** The **Professional Coding Director Consultant (Cerner)** is a senior consulting resource specializing in physician/professional fee coding operations, focused on evaluating and optimizing people, process, and technology across professional coding services. This role blends deep hands-on coding expertise with structured assessments, advisory deliverables, and implementation support to drive compliant, accurate, and efficient coding that supports sustainable financial performance. **Position Summary** The Professional Coding Consultant partners with medical group, hospital-based, and health system clients to review current-state professional coding operations, with a specific focus on Cerner-based workflows and tools. They complete a structured evaluation of staffing models, coding quality, workflows, technology utilization, and governance, then design and support implementation of practical, measurable improvements. **Core Responsibilities** **People – Team, Roles, and Performance** - Assess coding team structure, role clarity, span of control, and skills mix for professional fee services (e.g., E/M, procedures, diagnostics). - Review coder productivity, quality, and error trends; identify training needs and opportunities for role refinement (e.g., senior coder, auditor, educator). - Provide coaching and targeted education on documentation, coding guidelines, and Cerner-specific workflows to improve accuracy and throughput. **Process – Coding, Workflow, and Governance** - Map end-to-end professional coding workflows, from documentation and encounter creation through code assignment, edits, and claim submission. - Identify bottlenecks and rework (e.g., coding backlogs, high denial-related recoding, manual workarounds) and quantify impact on revenue, compliance, and provider satisfaction. - Recommend and help implement standardized operating procedures, QA programs, escalation paths, and governance structures that support consistent, compliant coding. **Technology – Cerner and Related Tools** - Assess current use of Cerner for professional coding (chart review, charge capture, work queues, edits, reporting) and related encoder/analytics tools. - Recommend configuration and workflow adjustments in Cerner (e.g., template use, worklist design, message center use, charge review processes) to reduce clicks, errors, and missed charges. - Partner with IT and operational leaders to align Cerner capabilities with coding best practices and revenue cycle goals, ensuring technology supports-not hinders-coders. **Assessment, Advisory, and Implementation** - Conduct structured revenue cycle assessments centered on professional coding, integrating interviews, data analysis, and workflow observation. - Develop clear findings and executive-ready recommendations, including target operating model, roadmap, and measurable KPIs for coding performance. - Support implementation through pilot design, change management, training plans, and monitoring, adjusting recommendations based on real-world results. **Required Qualifications** - 5+ years of progressive experience in professional/physician coding, including complex E/M and multi-specialty services. - Hands-on experience coding in Cerner-based environments, including coding work queues and charge workflows. - Active professional coding certification (e.g., CPC, CCS-P, or equivalent). - Prior experience participating in or leading coding-related revenue cycle improvement or optimization projects. **Skills and Competencies** - **Technical & Domain** - Advanced knowledge of CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS, modifiers, and payer-specific rules for physician/professional billing. - Strong Cerner proficiency in coding-related modules and workflows, plus familiarity with common encoder and audit tools. - **Consulting & Analytical** - Ability to evaluate people–process–technology in coding operations, identify root causes, and translate findings into prioritized, actionable recommendations. - Skilled…