OPT Clinical Documentation Improvement Jobs
Clinical Documentation Improvement jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with health information management, nursing, or coding backgrounds. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions under CIP codes tied to health informatics. Employers in hospital systems and revenue cycle management firms regularly sponsor H-1B visas for CDI specialists.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Jobs in this function provide coding and coding auditing services directly to providers. This includes the analysis and translation of medical and clinical diagnoses, procedures, injuries, or illnesses into designated numerical codes. Employees in jobs labeled with 'SCA' must support a government Service Contract Act (SCA) agreement.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides expert level review of clinical records within 24-48 hours of admission; reviews clinical documentation to ensure consistency and alignment with evidence-based guidelines
- Conducts clear communication to providers to reinforce evidence-based guidelines are being followed
- Effectively tracks productivity to allow for accurate/timely reporting of leading indicators and future impact analyses
- Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient level review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement, and the rationale for the recommendations
- Provides educational opportunities for physicians and other health care team members
- Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
- Participates in the development and execution of education strategies resulting in improved clinical documentation
- Provides timely feedback to providers regarding clinical documentation opportunities for improvement and successes
- Engages and consults with Medical Director/leadership when needed, per the escalation process, to resolve issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation improvement process
- Actively engages with Care Coordination and the Quality Management teams to continually evaluate and spearhead clinical documentation improvement opportunities
- Generally work is self-directed and not prescribed
- Works with less structured, more complex issues
- Serves as a resource to others
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
- Current RN License or Medical School Graduate
- For RN: 3+ years acute inpatient CDI experience
- For Medical School Graduates: 2+ years of acute inpatient CDI experience
- Experience communicating & working closely with Physicians
- Experience performing concurrent inpatient chart reviews and physician query processes
- Experience working with ICD-10-CM/PCS documentation requirements
- Knowledge of inpatient reimbursement methodologies including MS-DRG and APR-DRG systems
- Knowledge of documentation regulations, compliant query practices, and coding guidelines
- Basic proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Electronic Medical Records
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- If RN, BSN degree
- Current certification as a CCDS, CDIP or CCS
- Proven excellent verbal and written skills including solid organizational skills
All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone - of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income - deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
INTRODUCTION
For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Jobs in this function provide coding and coding auditing services directly to providers. This includes the analysis and translation of medical and clinical diagnoses, procedures, injuries, or illnesses into designated numerical codes. Employees in jobs labeled with 'SCA' must support a government Service Contract Act (SCA) agreement.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides expert level review of clinical records within 24-48 hours of admission; reviews clinical documentation to ensure consistency and alignment with evidence-based guidelines
- Conducts clear communication to providers to reinforce evidence-based guidelines are being followed
- Effectively tracks productivity to allow for accurate/timely reporting of leading indicators and future impact analyses
- Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient level review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement, and the rationale for the recommendations
- Provides educational opportunities for physicians and other health care team members
- Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
- Participates in the development and execution of education strategies resulting in improved clinical documentation
- Provides timely feedback to providers regarding clinical documentation opportunities for improvement and successes
- Engages and consults with Medical Director/leadership when needed, per the escalation process, to resolve issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation improvement process
- Actively engages with Care Coordination and the Quality Management teams to continually evaluate and spearhead clinical documentation improvement opportunities
- Generally work is self-directed and not prescribed
- Works with less structured, more complex issues
- Serves as a resource to others
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
- Current RN License or Medical School Graduate
- For RN: 3+ years acute inpatient CDI experience
- For Medical School Graduates: 2+ years of acute inpatient CDI experience
- Experience communicating & working closely with Physicians
- Experience performing concurrent inpatient chart reviews and physician query processes
- Experience working with ICD-10-CM/PCS documentation requirements
- Knowledge of inpatient reimbursement methodologies including MS-DRG and APR-DRG systems
- Knowledge of documentation regulations, compliant query practices, and coding guidelines
- Basic proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Electronic Medical Records
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- If RN, BSN degree
- Current certification as a CCDS, CDIP or CCS
- Proven excellent verbal and written skills including solid organizational skills
All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone - of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income - deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
See all OPT Clinical Documentation Improvement Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Documentation Improvement Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Clinical Documentation Improvement
Target hospital systems and large health networks
Large academic medical centers and integrated health systems like Kaiser Permanente and HCA Healthcare have established immigration programs. They hire CDI specialists regularly and are far more likely to have the HR infrastructure to sponsor work visas than smaller clinics.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Health informatics, health information management, and clinical informatics degrees typically qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this extension nearly triples your authorized work period.
Highlight clinical coding credentials in your application
AHIMA credentials like RHIA, RHIT, or CCS signal specialized competency to employers. CDI-specific certifications from ACDIS also strengthen your profile. Credentialed candidates face less employer hesitation around sponsorship because the specialized skill set justifies the investment.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Many CDI roles require onboarding compliance checks and credentialing that take weeks. Starting your search three to four months before OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to process paperwork without feeling pressured by your timeline.
Focus your search on revenue cycle and health IT firms
Companies like Ciox Health, Optum, and Nuance Communications hire CDI specialists at scale and have consistent H-1B sponsorship histories. Revenue cycle outsourcing firms often sponsor because qualified CDI candidates with clinical backgrounds are genuinely hard to find.
Be direct about your OPT status and remaining authorized period
CDI hiring managers often lack immigration experience. Briefly explaining that OPT provides immediate work authorization, and that a STEM extension may apply, removes ambiguity early. Employers who understand the timeline are significantly more likely to move forward.
Clinical Documentation Improvement OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Documentation Improvement jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, depending on your degree. CDI roles are not inherently STEM-designated, but if your degree is in health informatics, health information management, or clinical informatics, your CIP code may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm with your DSO before applying, since this varies by program and institution.
Can I work as a CDI specialist on OPT without prior clinical experience?
Some employers accept candidates with strong health information management or coding coursework, but most CDI roles expect at least a foundational understanding of ICD-10-CM/PCS coding and clinical documentation standards. Entry-level CDI positions at larger health systems are more structured for new graduates than roles at smaller facilities, which typically expect hands-on experience.
How do I find CDI employers who are open to OPT sponsorship?
Browse CDI roles on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers actively open to sponsoring F-1 OPT students. Large hospital systems, revenue cycle management firms, and health IT companies are the most consistent sponsors. Searching by employer type rather than job title alone helps you avoid wasting time on roles where sponsorship is not realistic.
What work authorization documents do I need to start a CDI job on OPT?
You need your EAD card showing valid work authorization dates, your valid F-1 visa, your I-20 with your DSO's OPT authorization signature, and your passport. Some hospital employers also require I-9 completion before your first day, so have all documents ready before your start date. Do not begin work before your EAD start date.
Is Clinical Documentation Improvement a realistic path to H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, for candidates with the right credentials. CDI specialists with RHIA, RHIT, or CDIP certifications are in genuine demand, and large health systems have dedicated immigration counsel. The specialty occupation argument for CDI typically rests on the requirement for a degree in health information management or a directly related clinical field, which makes H-1B petitions defensible.