Karen S. Chambers, MSHI, RHIA
**** ******* *****, **********, ** 36106
334-***-**** **************@***.***
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
. Experience in HIM/Resource Management and private sector management
. Exceptional investigative, research and report writing skills
. Creative and innovative skills to initiate new procedures and introduce
cost savings and efficiency measures.
. Effective communicator with medical staff, hospital personnel and
administration
. Proven ability in recognizing, analyzing and resolving problems.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY - Montgomery, AL
Health Information Management program in the College of Health Sciences
Instructor 8/11 - present
. Developed online curriculum for Electronic Health Record (EHR), Financial
Management and System Design courses
. Experienced in both online and in classroom instruction
MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
JACKSON HOSPITAL AND CLINIC - Montgomery, AL
356 bed acute care facility with multi-specialty clinics and an ambulatory
surgery center
HIM Administrator 7/06 - 7/11
Implemented McKesson Horizon Patient Folder electronic record system,
training staff and served as one of the System Administrators
. Redesigned department for more effective/efficient record flow for
prepping/scanning of records
. Implemented clinical documentation improvement to proactively address
MS-DRG's
UNITED AUDIT SYSTEMS, INC - Cincinnati, OH
National revenue cycle and coding consulting/interim coding company to
hospitals and health systems.
Director, Remote Coding Services 1/01 - 10/01 Laid off due to cut backs.
. Hired and managed all document preparation and remote coding staff
. Developed and implemented CQR policies and procedures for the remote
division
. Worked with IS to determine and implement system stability
requirements
. Assisted with planning and executing client start ups and
implementations
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM HOSPITAL - Birmingham, AL
908 bed acute care teaching hospital with multi-specialty clinics and an
ambulatory surgery center.
Manager, Medical Records 1995 - 1997
Led HIM operations including ROI, archives and research.
. Streamlined work schedule for 24/7 area to improve customer and
employee satisfaction
. Served as liaison to risk management and legal counsel identifying
and referring potential risk/legal matters
. Eliminated backlog of ROI requests and reduced turnaround time to a
maximum of seven days
RIVERVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - Gadsden, AL
295 bed acute care hospital with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory
surgery center.
Director, Health Information Services 1994 - 1995
Managed HIM record processing functions, Resource Management and Social
Services.
. Implemented DRG option program for resource managers and coders
. Successfully completed focused onsite review by JCAHO
. Streamlined daily processes to increase productivity and reduce
operating expenses
ATHENS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - Athens, GA
295 bed acute care hospital with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory
surgery center.
Director, Utilization Management 1985 - 1994
Coordinated PRO functions, insurance certification, physician/hospital
staff education, resource utilization, discharge planning and defense
auditing.
. Created in-house auditing position for cost containment, quality
improvement, resource utilization and risk management
. Implemented 100% review of all inpatient admissions successfully
reducing ALOS by 2 days
. Eliminated intensified review by Medicare PRO, reduced denial rate
and implemented insurance certification program for reimbursement
. Created information network with physicians' offices through
educational workshops and sessions
EAST ALABAMA MEDICAL CENTER - Opelika, AL
Director, Medical Records 1983 - 1985
ROTARY REHAB DIVISION OF MOBILE INFIRMARY - Mobile, AL
Director, Medical Records 1981 - 1983
CONSULTING/INTERIM
MANAGEMENT
CHAMBERS CONSULTING, Fairhope, AL
Health Information Management consulting services providing interim
management, departmental reviews and/or assessments for hospitals, health
systems and consulting firms nationwide. 1997-2006
K-Force /CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER - (CPMC) - San Francisco, CA
Multi-facility acute care campuses
Interim Assoc Director/Manager, HIM 3/06 - 6/06
. Managed record processing, physician completion, transcription for
union campus
QUEENS MEDICAL CENTER - Honolulu, HI
505 bed acute/ 28 sub-acute with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory
surgery center
Interim Manager/Director, Medical Records 8/04 - 2/06
. Managed record processing, physician completion, ROI, transcription.
. Assigned management for Medical Coding and Utilization Management in
1/05.
. Streamlined record processes to expedite completion and reduce
operating costs
. Assisted with coding software conversion for facility.
BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER - Birmingham, AL
586 bed acute with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory surgery center
Interim Director, Health Information Management 5/04 - 7/04
. Managed record processing, physician completion, coding, ROI,
transcription
. Identified and resolved financial issues regarding 'lost' and unbilled
records reducing DFNB
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER - Paterson, NJ
792 bed acute care hospital with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory
surgery center
Consultant, Medical Records, 5/02 - 3/03
. Performed coding and record processing assessment for Ancillary and
Outpatient Clinics and conducted educational sessions for staff
regarding compliance, documentation, filing protocols and ROI
. Conducted charge audits to identify and resolve lost revenue
opportunities
. Created document specific record retention schedule
RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER- Newport News, VA
576 bed acute care hospital with multi-specialty clinics and ambulatory
surgery center
Director, Medical Records, 3/03-11/03.
Hired to revamp a problematic HIM department with significant backlogs.
. Reduced delinquent medical record count from 3,170 to 124
. Implemented time and attendance policies to reduce staff absenteeism
and tardiness.
. Streamlined chart analysis process to eliminate duplication and
increase turnaround time.
EASTON HOSPITAL - Easton, PA
365 bed acute care hospital and ambulatory surgery center
Interim Director, Medical Records, 1/02 - 4/02
. Managed record processing, physician completion, coding and ROI
. Reduced number of delinquent/incomplete records
. Streamlined record processes to expedite completion and reduce
operating costs
. Worked with IS to identify and resolve account/record processing
issues
. Assisted with system conversion for facility
EDGEWATER MEDICAL CENTER/GRANT HOSPITAL - Chicago, IL
200 and 100 beds acute care hospitals with multi-specialty clinics and
ambulatory surgery center
Interim Director, Health Information Management 10/01 - 1/02
. Managed record processing, physician completion, coding and ROI
. Identified and resolved financial issues regarding 'lost' and unbilled
records reducing DFNB significantly
. Handled all tasks required of the MR department for facility closure
. Reduced number of delinquent/incomplete records
. Worked closely with IS to identify and resolve processing issues
MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER - Jackson, MS
550 bed regional health system with multi-specialty clinics and
ambulatory surgery center.
Interim Director, Clinical Resource Management 7/00 - 12/00
. Coordinated HIM record processing functions, Case Management, Social
Services, Decision Support, Infection Control and Data Management
. Streamlined record processing to eliminate delays and provide earlier
access to physicians for record completion
. Revised Chronic Offenders policy and notification to eliminate delays
in chart completion
. Implemented revenue integrity process to identify areas of potential
risk/loss and work with applicable departments on education as well as
policy/procedure revisions
. Developed tactical plan for the department which included
goals/objectives, strategies to accomplish, areas of responsibility
and timeline for completion
PARKRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER - Chattanooga, TN
295 bed acute care hospital with outpatient clinics and ambulatory
surgery center.
Interim Director, Health Information Management 3/99 - 5/00
. Managed HIM record processing functions
. Reduced delinquent record count from 2,200 to 198
. Streamlined daily processes to increase productivity and reduce
operating expenses
. Worked closely with IS to facilitate system conversion and resolve
processing issues
. Established weekly routines with the medical staff to maintain reduced
number of incomplete records
DIVERSIFIED RECORDS MANAGEMENT - Montgomery, AL
Consultant, 1998 - 1999
. Trained and evaluated personnel at ROI site facility
FILE MANAGEMENT - Birmingham, AL
Consultant, 1997 - 1999
. Supervised relocation of warehouse contents for multi facility
healthcare organization which included bar coding and data entry of
over 30,000 boxes
. Developed record retention schedule for multi facility organization
. Conducted educational programs for clients on records processing and
file submittals for data retrieval utilizing Gain software
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
MS, Health Informatics, 2012, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham,
AL
RHIA, 1982, American Health Information Management Association, Chicago, IL
BS, Health Information Management, 1981, University of Alabama Birmingham,
Birmingham, AL
AA, Marketing/Management, 1977, Jefferson State Junior College, Birmingham,
AL