Sandra Cerritos
Riverside,CA
Summary
Over 30 years of coding expertise in Health Information Management with a focus on Inpatient coding and DRG validation. Achievements include enhanced accuracy through effective coding recommendations and improved documentation compliance via strategic query process. Collaboration with healthcare professionals' processes.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
DRG Integrity Specialist
Accuity Delivery Systems
Mount Laurel, NJ
01.2025 - Current
- Review accounts for APR-DRG and MS-DRG validation as a team, with an assigned MD, on a daily basis.
- Made coding recommendations for principal diagnosis and principal procedures, regardless of DRG impact, while looking for opportunities for "cc's" and "MCC's," supported by documentation according to coding guidelines.
- Teamed up with an MD to look for query opportunities that will ultimately result in a DRG upgrade.
- Familiar with multiple coding systems used by different hospitals, from which the company has contracts throughout the United States.
- Attend weekly educational lunch-and-learn sessions created by the company to keep up with the latest coding updates, as well as addressing different coding topics.
Health Information Sr. Technician
Harbor UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, CA
06.2007 - 09.2019
- Trained all new coders, both temporary and permanent, to ensure proficiency.
- Assisted coders with inquiries and verified work for accuracy.
- Collaborated as a member of the CDI team to enhance coding practices.
- Abstract and coded complex cases, including trauma and Medicare accounts using Affinity and Quadra-med/Quantim, Cerner/Optum.
- Developed queries to clarify documentation requirements.
- Corrected and edited entries in accordance with OSHPD guidelines.
- Reviewed and audited Medicare charts coded by peers to maintain compliance standards.
Remote Inpatient Coder II
Tufts Medical Center
04.2017 - 07.2019
- Abstract and code all types of Inpatient accounts, including high dollar and complicated accounts using Cerner and Optum 360
- Bridge accounts for the billing department
- Attend meetings and trainings via webinars
Inpatient Coder
Little Company of Mary Hospital
07.2008 - 12.2009
- Company Overview: Catholic Hospital
- Abstract and code all impatient and same day surgeries by using MediTech and 3M coding system
- Catholic Hospital
- Hired to help clean up backlog
Inpatient Coder
Providence Holy Cross, Mission Hills
12.2006 - 06.2007
- Company Overview: Trauma 1 Teaching Hospital
- Abstract and code Inpatient records by using Medi -Tech and 3M coding system including trauma and complicated long stay cases
- Trauma 1 Teaching Hospital
- Hired to help clean up backlog
Inpatient Coder
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
06.2005 - 05.2006
- Company Overview: Trauma 2 Teaching Hospital
- Abstract and code all Impatient and trauma charts using Medi-Tech and 3M coding system
- Trauma 2 Teaching Hospital
Outpatient Coder
Hubert H Humphrey CHC
11.2004 - 11.2005
- Abstract and code for multi-specialty outpatient clinics
- Scanned encounter forms and made proper corrections in system before completion
Outpatient Coder
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center
09.2002 - 09.2004
- Company Overview: A.R.T.S
- Abstract and code multi-specialty clinics related to a rehab center facility including brain and spinal cord injuries resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia and all other specialties
- A.R.T.S
Outpatient Coder
King Drew Medical Center
04.1998 - 08.2002
- Company Overview: A.R.T.S
- Abstracted and coded for the Emergency Department, and Urgent Care
- I translated for doctors and nurses as necessary
- A.R.T.S
Outpatient Coder
Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center
09.1994 - 03.1998
- Company Overview: A.R.T.S
- Abstracted and coded for multi-specialty clinics
- Responsible for handling subpoenas and patient medical records request
- Filled out disability and unemployment forms for patients, registered patients, and translated for doctors and nurses as necessary
- A.R.T.S
Education
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) -
AHIMA
06.2004
AS - HIM And Prerequisites For RN
Southwest Community College
Los Angeles, CA01.2002
AS - Heath Information Mangement
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine And Science
City Of Los Angeles, CA01.1997
Coding Specialist Certificate - Heath Information Management
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine And Science
Los Angeles, CA01.1994
Skills
- DRG validation
- Inpatient and outpatient coding
- Documentation enhancement
- Query formulation
- Compliance auditing
Timeline
DRG Integrity Specialist
Accuity Delivery Systems
01.2025 - Current
Remote Inpatient Coder II
Tufts Medical Center
04.2017 - 07.2019
Inpatient Coder
Little Company of Mary Hospital
07.2008 - 12.2009
Health Information Sr. Technician
Harbor UCLA Medical Center
06.2007 - 09.2019
Inpatient Coder
Providence Holy Cross, Mission Hills
12.2006 - 06.2007
Inpatient Coder
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
06.2005 - 05.2006
Outpatient Coder
Hubert H Humphrey CHC
11.2004 - 11.2005
Outpatient Coder
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center
09.2002 - 09.2004
Outpatient Coder
King Drew Medical Center
04.1998 - 08.2002
Outpatient Coder
Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center
09.1994 - 03.1998
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) -
AHIMA
AS - HIM And Prerequisites For RN
Southwest Community College
AS - Heath Information Mangement
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine And Science
Coding Specialist Certificate - Heath Information Management
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine And Science