CDQI Audit Specialist - Healthcare CDI Career Growth in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This CDQI Audit Specialist role at Datavant sits at the intersection of clinical expertise, healthcare compliance, and data quality — a niche that is increasingly valuable as AI-driven clinical documentation tools proliferate. Building auditing skills over EMR platforms like Epic, Cerner, 3M, and Iodine puts you at the forefront of healthcare data infrastructure.
Compensation benchmark: At $50–$57.50/hour (~$104K–$120K annualized), this is competitive for experienced CDI auditors. The national median for CDI Specialists with 5+ years is roughly $75,000–$95,000; the auditor/quality improvement tier typically commands a 15–25% premium, making this offer solid for the market.
Skills you'll develop:
- Advanced CDI audit methodology and scoring frameworks
- Regulatory compliance (HIPAA, DRG-based reimbursement, HCC capture)
- Cross-functional collaboration with physicians and physician advisors
- Educational program design and staff mentoring
- Performance analytics (query rates, CMI impact, CC/MCC capture)
Green flags: Datavant is a well-funded health data company with a clear mission and enterprise-scale clients. The role offers mentoring responsibilities and career growth pathways, which signals investment in employee development.
Potential red flags: The requirement to pass a CDI competency assessment adds an extra screening hurdle. Vaccination compliance requirements are client-driven and non-negotiable in many settings. The role is not sponsorship-eligible, limiting the candidate pool and future mobility for visa-dependent workers.
Overall, this is a strong mid-to-senior career move for RNs/BSNs with CCDS or CDIP credentials looking to transition from bedside CDI into quality, compliance, and program leadership.
Datavant is the data collaboration platform trusted for healthcare. Guided by our mission to make the world's health data secure, accessible and actionable, we provide critical data solutions for organizations across the healthcare ecosystem — including providers, health plans, researchers, and life sciences companies. From fulfilling a single patient's request for their medical records to powering the AI revolution in healthcare, Datavanters are building the future of how data is connected and used to improve health.
By joining Datavant today, you're stepping onto a driven and highly collaborative team that is passionate about creating transformative change in healthcare.
What We're Looking For:
As a Clinical Documentation Quality Improvement (CDQI) Audit Specialist, you will be instrumental in evaluating the quality, accuracy, compliance and effectiveness of CDI reviews while identifying opportunities for education, process improvement and revenue integrity enhancement. The Auditor provides feedback, education and performance monitoring to support continuous improvement of the CDI program. Join us in this critical role where your efforts will have a direct and meaningful impact on the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
This role is full-time.
What You Will Do:
- Conduct retrospective and concurrent audits of CDIQ Specialists' work to ensure accurate documentation review practices, compliant query generation, and assess appropriate capture of: SOI, ROM, CC/MCC, HCC; align with coding, quality and regulatory requirements.
- Review missed opportunities impacting reimbursement, quality reporting and patient outcomes. Collaborate with physicians and caregivers to ensure appropriate reimbursement and clinical severity for DRG-based payer patients.
- Evaluate CDQI staff adherence to organizational workflows, policies and industry standards.
- Maintain audit tools, scoring methodologies, and audit documentation.
- Provide individualized feedback to CDQI Specialists and develop education plans based on audit findings.
- Participate in onboarding and mentoring new CDQI staff.
- Deliver educational presentations on documentation, coding, regulatory updates and best practices.
- Collaborate with Physician Advisor regarding documentation opportunities and trends.
- Monitor program performance indicators, including query rates, query response rates, agreement rates, accuracy scores, case mix index impact and CC/MCC capture rates.
- Maintain confidentiality and safeguard protected health information (PHI), medical records, audit documentation, and company data in compliance with HIPAA, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements. Adhere to established privacy, security, and information governance standards when accessing, reviewing, storing, and communicating sensitive information.
- Meet or exceed established production, quality, and performance metrics by completing assigned audits within designated timeframes and maintaining high standards of accuracy, consistency, and objectivity. Produce clear, actionable audit findings and educational feedback that support CDI staff development and program improvement.
What You Need to Succeed:
- 5+ years of CDI experience and/or auditing.
- 3+ years of clinical experience in an academic medical center.
- RN or BSN with CCDS or CDIP certification.
- Must pass CDI skills competency assessment.
- Experience with various EMRs and CDI software including Epic, Cerner, 3M, Iodine, etc.
- Ability to function in a professional, efficient, and positive manner.
- Strong organizational, teamwork and communication skills.
What We Offer:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 401k Savings plan with match.
- Paid time off (PTO) plan, plus floating holidays and paid holidays.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Opportunities for career growth and development.
The estimated total cash compensation range for this role is: $50.00 – $57.50 USD (hourly).
To ensure the safety of patients and staff, many of our clients require post-offer health screenings and proof and/or completion of various vaccinations such as the flu shot, Tdap, COVID-19, etc. Any requests to be exempted from these requirements will be reviewed by Datavant Human Resources and determined on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the state in which you will be working, exemptions may be available on the basis of disability, medical contraindications to the vaccine or any of its components, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, and/or religion.
This job is not eligible for employment sponsorship.
Datavant is committed to a work environment free from job discrimination. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. To learn more about our commitment, please review our EEO Commitment Statement. Know Your Rights — explore the resources available through the EEOC for more information regarding your legal rights and protections. In addition, Datavant does not and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay.
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