ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Overview

The Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS) is proud to offer a certificate program for those seeking to enter the CDI profession in the outpatient setting.

The ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship is comprised of foundational outpatient CDI education paired with a review of core compliance principles and key diagnoses, perfect for those just getting started in the role or looking to break into the profession. Candidates who pass the final exam receive a certificate of outpatient CDI foundational training and are allowed to designate themselves an ACDIS-Approved Outpatient CDI Apprentice. Designation as an ACDIS-Approved Outpatient CDI Apprentice demonstrates to employers and industry peers that an individual has foundational CDI knowledge, including familiarity with the ACDIS/AHIMA Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice, and understands how to apply this knowledge in the outpatient setting.

The training includes key concepts and responsibilities of outpatient CDI specialists, clinical conditions that every outpatient CDI specialist must master, and key compliance considerations.

Furthermore, ACDIS has identified the top topics and clinical conditions new outpatient CDI specialists need to learn in order to hit the ground running, as well as the principles they must master to ensure compliant practice. The ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship can be used to:

• Introduce new CDI outpatient specialists to their roles and responsibilities and ensure foundational competence
• Provide consistent, accurate training on outpatient-specific topics and diagnoses
• Save an organization the time and resources needed to develop internal training for new employees with little experience in CDI

Take the first step on the path to holding the CCDS-O credential:
The ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship has also been designed as the first step on a journey that may lead to future Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist—Outpatient (CCDS-O) certification. Candidates interested in obtaining the CCDS-O credential must fulfill prerequisites, including at least two years of experience in clinical documentation integrity; thus, the CCDS-O is not an entry-into-the-profession credential.

The ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship was designed so that candidates can obtain a certificate of competence for entry into the profession and use this as a first step on their CDI journey, which may lead to a CCDS-O credential once the candidate has reached expert level and has at least two years' experience as a CDI professional.

Benefits of program & features:

• Structure: Each module in the library is interactive, with voice-over narration, and includes "Test Your Knowledge" questions throughout to reinforce major concepts.
• One-year access to instruction after purchase: You have one year to work through all modules and complete assignments.
• 24-hour access: Instruction is available at any time of day—you choose the time that works for you.
• Expertly designed course materials: Course materials are developed by an adult education expert. The curriculum uses a "how to" approach where participants learn how to apply concepts that they can then customize to their organizational needs. Content is regularly updated based on changing industry practices and participant feedback.
• Well-established program: Brought to you by the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS), this program from the industry’s only dedicated CDI association provides the best-in-class education you expect.

Contact sales:
For more detailed information, contact us at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals who are seeking to enter the outpatient clinical documentation integrity (CDI) field, have recently accepted an outpatient CDI role, or have been assigned outpatient CDI responsibilities.

This is foundational-level education intended to provide a strong knowledge base for those new to outpatient CDI.

This education does not lead to a formal AHIMA or ACDIS certification. However, learners who complete the course and pass the final exam receive a certificate of outpatient CDI foundational training and may use the designation ACDIS-Approved Outpatient CDI Apprentice on their resumes, in biographical information, or in email signatures.

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Course Content

Program duration: 235 minutes (approximately 3 hours, 55 minutes)

Course modules
Module 1: What We Know Now — 11 minutes
Module 2: How to Get Started in Outpatient CDI: Keys to Success — 15 minutes
Module 3: Outpatient CDI: The Basics — 39 minutes
Module 4: Risk Adjustment — 38 minutes
Module 5: Hierarchical Condition Categories — 67 minutes
Module 6: Outpatient CDI: An Overview of Compliant Practice — 39 minutes
Module 7: Physician Engagement — 26 minutes
ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship Final Exam

This course requires the following pre-requisites:

• There are no pre-requisites for this assessment.

This course requires the following materials:

• There are no required materials for this assessment.

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Synopsis

The ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship is a certificate program comprised of foundational outpatient CDI education paired with a review of core compliance principles and key diagnoses, perfect for those just getting started in the role or looking to break into the profession. Candidates who pass the final exam receive a certificate of outpatient CDI foundational training and are allowed to designate themselves an ACDIS-Approved Outpatient CDI Apprentice.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this educational activity, the learner will be able to:

• Describe what makes outpatient CDI unique and valuable to an organization.
• Explain the basic steps needed to get started in outpatient CDI.
• Discuss the evolution of CDI from the inpatient to the outpatient setting.
• Review key concepts of risk adjustment, with a focus on CMS Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs).
• Recognize diagnoses and conditions that are a common focus in outpatient CDI reviews.

Continuing Education

Upon successful completion of ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship (Online), you will receive:

The following types of continuing education are offered only after the completion of all courses and the successful completion (80% pass rate) of the final exam. Upon achieving a passing exam score, users will be directed to a course evaluation that will open in a separate window. The evaluation must be completed and submitted for instant download and email delivery of all applicable CE certificates.

AAPC
This program has the prior approval of AAPC for 3.5 continuing education unit(s) (CEUs). Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.

ACDIS
This program has been approved for 4 continuing education unit(s) towards fulfilling the requirements of the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) certification, offered as a service of the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS).

AHIMA
This program has been approved for 4 continuing education unit(s) for use in fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

ANCC
AHIMA is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This educational activity for 4 nursing contact hours is provided by AHIMA.

Disclosure Statement

Please note the planners, presenter(s), and contributors to this activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial companies pertaining to this activity.

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Faculty

Deanne Wilk, MPS, BSN, RN, CDIP, CCDS, CCDS-O, CCS, is the former director of CDI education for HCPro and ACDIS, where she led the development of clinical documentation integrity education programs, including Boot Camps, PROPEL CDI services, and professional learning resources. She holds a Master of Professional Studies in Psychology of Leadership from Penn State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University and is a registered nurse in Pennsylvania.

Throughout her career, Wilk has served in leadership and consulting roles, including CDI director and CDI consultant, where she supported CDI program development, staff education, quality initiatives, and operational improvement across multiple healthcare organizations. Wilk is actively involved in the CDI professional community, having founded the Central Pennsylvania ACDIS chapter and previously served on the ACDIS Advisory Board. She contributes to the field through publications, webinars, conference presentations, and national CDI education initiatives.

Jessica Vaughn, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CCDS, CCDS-O, CRC, is a clinical documentation education specialist with HCPro and ACDIS. She serves as a full-time instructor for HCPro Boot Camps and PROPEL CDI services and is a subject matter expert for ACDIS. Vaughn is a seasoned registered nurse with 29 years of clinical experience and 14 years of progressive healthcare leadership across inpatient and ambulatory settings.

She has led the development of CDI education and ambulatory initiatives with a focus on risk adjustment and value-based care. She previously directed inpatient CDI efforts emphasizing quality alignment and created educational programs to support interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Licensed in Virginia under the compact RN license, she earned her Doctorate in Executive Leadership from Duke University in 2022. She has contributed to conferences, publications, and CDI resources, including the original ACDIS CCDS-O Exam Study Guide, the CCDS-O certification exam, and the 2024–2026 editions of the ACDIS Outpatient Pocket Guide.

ACDIS Outpatient CDI Apprenticeship

Frequently Asked Questions

See Course Content tab for course description and total duration.

1. How long will the online content remain accessible after class ends?

   The online portal location for your class sessions and materials will be available for 12 months from the purchase date.

   You must complete the course evaluation in order to get your continuing education/contact hour certificate, so please be sure to complete the course before your access expires.
   
   

2. Does this education lead to a formal AHIMA or ACDIS certification?

   No. This education does not lead to a formal AHIMA or ACDIS certification. Learners who complete the course and pass the final exam receive a certificate of outpatient CDI foundational training and may use the designation ACDIS-Approved Outpatient CDI Apprentice on their resumes, in biographical information, or in email signatures.
   
   

3. Is there a discount for ACDIS, NAHRI, or AHIMA members?

   Yes. ACDIS, NAHRI, and AHIMA members receive $100 off the registration fee. Contact us at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.
   
   

4. What is required to receive the certificate and continuing education credits?

   Learners must complete all courses, pass the final exam with a score of at least 80%, and submit the course evaluation.
   
   

5. How long does the program take to complete?

   The seven course modules total 235 minutes, or approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. Additional time should be allowed for the final exam and course evaluation.
   
   

6. Are there prerequisites or required materials?

   No. There are no prerequisites or required materials for this program.
   
   

7. Does HCPro ever share contact information (e.g., name, address, phone number, email address, etc.) with other companies?

   Historically, we have not shared contact information with anyone outside of our company. However, it is possible that at some point we might share contact information with other companies that offer products and services that we think would be of interest to our customers. If you would like us to keep your contact information confidential, please let us know so that we can flag your information in our customer database as "Do Not Share."
   
   

8. What if I need to cancel or transfer my registration?

   Please click here to view our cancellation policy.
   
   

9. How do I get more information?

   Contact us at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.