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 in building concise, structured reports and delivering them to both operational leaders and executives.




• People & Change




• Strong communication and facilitation skills with coders, providers, revenue cycle leaders, and IT.


• Comfort leading change in complex environments, with a focus on respectful engagement and sustainable adoption.