Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists are in high demand across hospital systems that regularly sponsor H-1B visa and green card visas. Most roles require a clinical background plus CCDS or CCS certification, and employers in large health systems often have established immigration pipelines for qualified candidates. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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The Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Specialist-RN is a registered nurse responsible for performing concurrent and retrospective reviews of inpatient medical records to ensure complete, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation. This role focuses on supporting accurate ICD 10 CM/PCS coding, MS DRG assignment, severity of illness (SOI), risk of mortality (ROM), quality reporting, and reimbursement integrity. This role works closely with providers, coders, and quality teams to clarify documentation and support accurate data capture for clinical, financial, and regulatory reporting.
This role applies clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify documentation gaps and facilitate timely, compliant provider clarification.
Primary Department, Division, or Unit:
Facility Coding, UHS Revenue Cycle Operations
Primary Work Shift:
Day
Regular Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Compensation Range:
$37.00 - $55.50 per hour, depending on experience
Education/Experience
Minimum Required:
* Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Nursing Diploma.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).
Working knowledge of encoding system and Excel.
* Previous Coding experience.
License/Certification
Minimum Required:
* Valid NYS RN licensure or eligible.
Preferred:
CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) – AHIMA
CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder) - AAPC
* CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) – ACDIS
Why You’ll Love Working at UHS
At United Health Services (UHS), we believe every connection—to patients, to purpose, to each other—makes a difference. That’s why we’re intentional about supporting our team in ways that go beyond the job. Whether through meaningful benefits, personal growth, or fun along the way, we’re here to help you thrive in work and life.
A Culture of Connection – We support each other like family and create space for every voice to be heard. Engagement Councils, peer recognition, and initiatives like Walk in my Shoes for senior leaders are just a few ways we foster belonging and collaboration. Outside of work, we stay connected through team events like trivia, trunk-or-treat, volunteer days, our staff choir, or seasonal celebrations.
Comprehensive Benefits for Life & Family – We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire for employees working 24+ hours/week. With flexible plan options and coverage tiers, you can choose what fits your life best. Additional perks include discounted childcare through Bright Horizons and voluntary benefits like pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection.
Well-Being & Financial Security – From day one, PTO starts accruing so you can take time to recharge. We support your long-term wellness with a 403(b) retirement plan and company match, flexible spending accounts, access to financial advisors, and up to $400/year in wellness rewards. When life gets tough, we’re here with 24/7 EAP counseling, virtual mental health support, a food pantry, PTO donation program, and professional attire through the Classy Closet.
Growth That Moves with You – With access to 100,000+ online courses, leadership programs, tuition reimbursement, clinical ladders, and internal mobility, we help you grow wherever your passion leads. We also continuously review compensation to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity, so you can feel confident your work is valued and rewarded fairly.
A Place to Call Home – Located in New York’s Southern Tier, UHS offers more than a career—we offer a lifestyle. Enjoy four-season recreation, affordable living, top-rated schools, minor league sports, craft brews, a close-knit community, and more, all within reach of the Finger Lakes, the Catskills, and major Northeast cities.
About United Health Services
United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.
At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!
United Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Overview
The Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Specialist-RN is a registered nurse responsible for performing concurrent and retrospective reviews of inpatient medical records to ensure complete, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation. This role focuses on supporting accurate ICD 10 CM/PCS coding, MS DRG assignment, severity of illness (SOI), risk of mortality (ROM), quality reporting, and reimbursement integrity. This role works closely with providers, coders, and quality teams to clarify documentation and support accurate data capture for clinical, financial, and regulatory reporting.
This role applies clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify documentation gaps and facilitate timely, compliant provider clarification.
Primary Department, Division, or Unit:
Facility Coding, UHS Revenue Cycle Operations
Primary Work Shift:
Day
Regular Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Compensation Range:
$37.00 - $55.50 per hour, depending on experience
Education/Experience
Minimum Required:
* Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Nursing Diploma.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).
Working knowledge of encoding system and Excel.
* Previous Coding experience.
License/Certification
Minimum Required:
* Valid NYS RN licensure or eligible.
Preferred:
CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) – AHIMA
CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder) - AAPC
* CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) – ACDIS
Why You’ll Love Working at UHS
At United Health Services (UHS), we believe every connection—to patients, to purpose, to each other—makes a difference. That’s why we’re intentional about supporting our team in ways that go beyond the job. Whether through meaningful benefits, personal growth, or fun along the way, we’re here to help you thrive in work and life.
A Culture of Connection – We support each other like family and create space for every voice to be heard. Engagement Councils, peer recognition, and initiatives like Walk in my Shoes for senior leaders are just a few ways we foster belonging and collaboration. Outside of work, we stay connected through team events like trivia, trunk-or-treat, volunteer days, our staff choir, or seasonal celebrations.
Comprehensive Benefits for Life & Family – We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire for employees working 24+ hours/week. With flexible plan options and coverage tiers, you can choose what fits your life best. Additional perks include discounted childcare through Bright Horizons and voluntary benefits like pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection.
Well-Being & Financial Security – From day one, PTO starts accruing so you can take time to recharge. We support your long-term wellness with a 403(b) retirement plan and company match, flexible spending accounts, access to financial advisors, and up to $400/year in wellness rewards. When life gets tough, we’re here with 24/7 EAP counseling, virtual mental health support, a food pantry, PTO donation program, and professional attire through the Classy Closet.
Growth That Moves with You – With access to 100,000+ online courses, leadership programs, tuition reimbursement, clinical ladders, and internal mobility, we help you grow wherever your passion leads. We also continuously review compensation to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity, so you can feel confident your work is valued and rewarded fairly.
A Place to Call Home – Located in New York’s Southern Tier, UHS offers more than a career—we offer a lifestyle. Enjoy four-season recreation, affordable living, top-rated schools, minor league sports, craft brews, a close-knit community, and more, all within reach of the Finger Lakes, the Catskills, and major Northeast cities.
About United Health Services
United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.
At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!
United Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
Target large hospital systems and academic medical centers
Large health systems like HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit, and academic medical centers file H-1B petitions far more consistently than small clinics. Their HR teams understand the sponsorship process and have dedicated immigration counsel already in place.
Lead with your CCDS or CCS certification upfront
Certifications from the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Professionals or AHIMA signal immediate readiness to employers. Sponsors want to justify the visa cost quickly, and a recognized credential removes the most common hiring objection for international candidates.
Understand how your clinical degree supports the H-1B specialty occupation standard
CDI roles typically require a degree in health information management, nursing, or a clinical field. Your degree field matters: USCIS scrutinizes whether the specific degree directly relates to the job duties, so be prepared to document that connection clearly.
Ask about remote roles to widen your sponsoring employer options
Many CDI positions are fully remote, which means you can target sponsoring employers headquartered in any state. A hospital in Texas can sponsor your H-1B even if you live elsewhere, significantly expanding the pool of employers willing to file.
Highlight measurable outcomes from previous CDI work
Employers sponsoring visas want proof the hire is worth the investment. Quantify your impact: case mix index improvements, query volumes, or documentation accuracy rates. Concrete outcomes make your application stand out and give employers confidence in the sponsorship decision.
Clarify sponsorship timing early in the process
The H-1B cap lottery runs once per year with an April 1 filing deadline. If you need cap-subject sponsorship, both you and your employer need time to prepare. Raising this in the first or second interview prevents wasted time on both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, CDI Specialist roles generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a specific bachelor's degree in health information management, nursing, or a related clinical field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this role category across major health systems, though individual petition outcomes depend on how the employer documents the degree requirement in the job description and Labor Condition Application.
Which visa types do employers use to sponsor CDI Specialists?
H-1B is the most common pathway. Some employers also pursue TN visa status for Canadian and Mexican candidates with qualifying credentials, and EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship is available through employers willing to go through the PERM labor certification process. Large hospital systems are more likely to offer green card sponsorship than smaller facilities, particularly for experienced specialists with CCDS or CCS credentials.
Does my nursing or clinical degree count toward the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
A registered nursing degree, health information management degree, or clinical coding credential can support a CDI specialty occupation petition, but the degree must relate directly to the specific job duties USCIS reviews. A generic business or unrelated science degree is unlikely to satisfy the requirement on its own. If your degree is in a borderline field, employers often pair it with professional certifications like CCDS to strengthen the petition.
How competitive is the job market for sponsored CDI Specialist roles?
Demand for CDI Specialists has grown steadily as hospitals face increasing documentation compliance requirements under Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rules. Candidates with CCDS certification and at least two years of inpatient CDI experience are well-positioned. Remote availability in this role type also increases competition, since qualified candidates nationally apply to the same postings. You can browse current sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to see which health systems are actively hiring.
Can I switch employers on an H-1B as a CDI Specialist without losing my status?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new sponsoring employer as soon as they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, provided your current H-1B is valid and you have not accrued unlawful presence. You do not need to wait for USCIS approval before starting with the new employer. The new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition and a new Labor Condition Application reflecting the updated role and work location.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.