Overview
The System Manager for Clinical Quality Data Abstraction is responsible for leading the centralized abstraction team that
performs accurate, timely, and complete abstraction of complex clinical quality measures from the electronic health
record and other data sources. Central abstraction supports regulatory reporting to CMS, deemed status Accrediting
Organizations (TJC, DNV), and state-directed payment programs such as KY HRIP and WV DPP. This role ensures
abstraction integrity, regulatory compliance, and continuous performance improvement across the system.
Responsibilities
- Oversee High Complexity Clinical Data Abstraction : Oversee team of
individuals performing abstraction including onboarding, staffing, assignment,
training, productivity monitoring and quality assurance. Ensures abstraction staff
utilize EHR, data abstraction platform and abstraction specifications manuals from
various entities (., CMS, DNV, TJC, State DPP Programs) to accurately abstract
data for measures of varying degrees of complexity, including highly complex
measures. Monitor abstraction timelines and ensure timely data submission.
Develop and Maintain Effective Abstraction Workflows : Establish and maintain departmental standard operation procedures, policies, workflows and audit protocols that align with CMS, KY HRIP, WV DPP and other regulatory and / or value-based programs.Serve as Liaison to Critical Stakeholders : Serve as liaison to Quality, Compliance, IT, Medical Staff and Clinical Operations to resolve documentation and data source / data access issues. Analyze abstraction data trends for gaps and improvement opportunities, present findings and work with various stakeholder groups on performance improvement.Lead Industry Standard Inter-rater Reliability (IRR) : Lead IRR audits and second level review protocols and implement corrective action plans to maintain ≥95% abstraction accuracy.Training & Development : Maintain team competency through continuing education, regular specifications updates, strong IRR and second level review program and ongoing coaching.Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in clinical field or HIM requiredClinical licensure (RN, PharmD, RT, PT, LCSW requiredMinimum Work Experience
Minimum 1 year in a clinical leadership role in a hospital setting requiredMinimum 2 years complex clinical data abstraction (., Sepsis, PC measures, Stroke)Additional years of clinical leadership experience can be substituted for complex data abstraction experience, with no fewer than 6 months of complex clinical data abstraction requiredFamiliarity with CMS data specifications, IRR audits and abstraction platformsDemonstrated participation in IRR audits with ≥95% agreement (internal candidates only)Licensures and Certifications
Licensure in a clinical field required Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality - preferred Certified Health Data Analyst - preferred
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Proven leadership in clinical data abstraction, quality reporting, or health information managementDeep knowledge of CMS and regulatory core measures including Sep-1, PC Measures, OP-18 and OP-23 abstraction specificationsStrong understanding of clinical workflows, medical terminology and documentation standardsAbility to interpret complex clinical situations and apply abstraction logic and specifications accuratelyProficiency with abstraction platforms, EHRs and regulatory reporting portalsHigh attention to detail and commitment to data integrity over speedSkilled in IRR methodology, audit design, and abstraction performance analyticsStrong organizational and communication skills, able to translate technical requirements into actionable workflows