Senior Clinical Documentation Specialist (CDS) - Float Pool
The Senior Clinical Documentation Specialist (CDS) - Float Pool is a versatile and experienced Clinical Documentation Integrity professional responsible for providing cross-coverage and high-level CDI support across Ascension's multi-market system. This individual functions as an advanced front-line Clinical Documentation Specialist (CDS), deployed to cover temporary staffing gaps due to PTO, medical leave, vacancies, and fluctuating census, while maintaining high-quality standards and supporting continuity of CDI operations.
The Senior CDS - Float Pool associate is expected to rapidly adapt to different facility workflows, EHRs, and service lines, with minimal onboarding or training required. This role also supports onboarding of new CDSs, short-term training needs, and region-specific initiatives when not actively deployed for coverage.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high-quality concurrent and/or retrospective clinical documentation review across Ascension markets as assigned.
- Float seamlessly between inpatient units, service lines, and CDI teams based on organizational need and leadership direction.
- Perform compliant query generation to clarify conflicting, missing, or unclear documentation that impacts coding, severity, quality metrics, and reimbursement.
- Maintain productivity and quality standards consistent with senior-level CDS expectations.
- Quickly acclimate to local workflows, documentation practices, EHR systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner), and CDI software platforms (e.g., 3M, Iodine, Nuance).
- Participate in new market launches, staff orientation, and short-term CDI education efforts as needed.
- Assist regional or corporate leadership with implementation of CDI best practices during transition or expansion periods.
- Provide mentoring or shadow support to newer CDS team members during onboarding or periods of low census.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills and professionalism in all market interactions, serving as an ambassador of the Ascension CDI model.
Requirements:
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's 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer