This hybrid ICU Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Registered Nurse role is based in Homewood, AL — a suburb of Birmingham — and serves an acute care inpatient population with a focus on ICU-level complexity. The position blends on-site facility rounding with remote work, requiring candidates to live within one hour of Birmingham. The core mission is elevating the accuracy and completeness of physician documentation to reflect true severity of illness, risk of mortality, and complexity of care, with direct impact on MS-DRG assignment and coding compliance. Clinicians with a Medical/Surgical or Intensive Care nursing background who are ready to transition into or grow within CDI will find a structured, education-rich environment here.
Perks and Benefits
- Hybrid work model — combination of on-site facility presence and remote/virtual office work
- Travel reimbursement available; travel requirement capped at 10% of work time
- Ongoing professional development supported: annual CDI Boot Camp, quarterly inpatient coding training, monthly education lecture series (MELS), and assigned CDI/coding LearnShare modules
- Vaccination and health screening compliance support provided prior to start date
- Equal opportunity employer with E-Verify participation and reasonable accommodation policies
Practice Highlights
- Dedicated ICU patient population focus — reviews target the highest-acuity inpatient cases requiring precise documentation of severity of illness and risk of mortality
- Initial medical record reviews completed within 24–48 hours of admission; follow-up reviews conducted every 24–48 hours through discharge
- Formulates clinically credible, compliant physician queries to resolve missing, unclear, or conflicting health record documentation
- Collaborates directly with attending physicians, allied health practitioners, nursing staff, case managers, and ancillary teams to resolve open queries prior to discharge
- Applies MS-DRG classification logic, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding conventions, AHA Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines, CMS directives, and Coding Clinic guidance to every record reviewed
- Conducts provider education and rounding on open queries; supports DRG mismatch reconciliation and coding issue follow-up
- Assists in onboarding and training new CDI department staff
- Works within a CDI tool designated by the facility and/or the host medical record system
- Subject to robust CDI program auditing and monitoring protocols
Qualifications
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) state license required; graduate MD or Foreign Medical Doctor (FMD) license accepted in lieu
- Minimum two (2) years of nursing experience in Medical/Surgical, Intensive Care, or Case/Utilization Review settings; equivalent provider experience also considered
- Zero to two (2) years of CDI experience accepted — candidates new to CDI with strong acute care clinical backgrounds are encouraged to apply
- Graduate of an accredited Nursing program (BSN or graduate level preferred); OR graduate of a Medical Doctor or Foreign Medical Doctor program
- CDIP (Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner) or CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) credential preferred but not required at hire
- Proficient knowledge of disease pathophysiology, drug utilization, MS-DRG classification, reimbursement structures, and coding compliance standards
- Must reside within one hour of Birmingham, AL to meet hybrid on-site requirements
- Ability to travel up to 10% to support multi-facility needs
About the Community
Homewood is a well-established residential suburb immediately adjacent to Birmingham, Alabama's largest city and a major regional hub for healthcare, finance, and higher education. The greater Birmingham metro offers a low cost of living relative to national averages, highly regarded public and private school systems, and a vibrant food and arts scene anchored by neighborhoods like Five Points South and the Avondale district. Outdoor enthusiasts have easy access to Red Mountain Park, Oak Mountain State Park, and the broader Appalachian foothills, while major airports, SEC college sports, and a growing culinary culture round out the lifestyle appeal for clinicians relocating to the region.