Lead Medical Records Technician (Coder)

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Loma Linda, CA VA Medical Center. MRTs (Coder) are skilled in classifying medical data from patient health records in the hospital setting, and/or physician-based settings, such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, and specialty centers.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is designated as remote. Remote work is defined as full-time employment conducted outside of a VA facility or in VA-leased spaces. The option for remote work will be assessed continuously, and the selected individual may need to return to a VA office if required. The VA will categorically exempt military spouses authorized to engage in remote work and spouses of U.S. Foreign Service members from Agency plans to return all eligible employees to in-person work instead of remote or telework arrangements. Any selected candidate must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center. Duties include but are not limited to: Complete and accurate diagnostic and procedural coded data are necessary for research, epidemiology, outcomes and statistical analysis, financial and strategic planning, reimbursement, evaluation of quality of care, and communication to support the patient's treatment. Diagnoses and procedures will be coded utilizing the current edition of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Clinical Modification (CM) and Procedure Coding System (PCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Patient encounters are often complicated and complex requiring extensive coding expertise Applies advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes, treatment modalities, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures as well as the principles and practices of health services and the organizational structure to ensure proper code selection Adheres to accepted coding practices, guidelines and conventions when choosing the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or evaluation and management (E/M) code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC Performs a comprehensive review of the electronic health record to abstract medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data to ensure complete data capture Assists facility staff with documentation requirements to completely and accurately reflect the patient care provided Ensures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correctly code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA databases Monitors the status and progress of work and day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Trains and works closely with professional and administrative staff to assist in the development, maintenance and usage of ICD and CPT codes to ensure accurate data capture Analyzes and recommends improvements in documentation systems used to provide patient care to optimize VERA workload, third-party reimbursement, and to manage resources Identifies training needs of individuals based on productivity and accuracy reports, rejects from billing, and spot checks. Makes recommendations to Supervisor concerning disciplinary actions due to insufficient performance and identifies continuing education needs Has constant interaction with health care providers, evaluating and communicating with the expectation on improving health record documentation Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Tour of duty is based on organizational needs) Telework: This position is telework eligible but may be required to return to the office permanently at a later date. Virtual: This is a virtual position. Functional Statement #:00000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. MRTs (Coder) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and the structure and format of a health records OR Education. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, and introduction to health records); OR Completion of an AHIMA approved coding program, or other intense coding training program of approximately one year or more that included courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic ICD diagnostic/procedural, and basic CPT coding. The training program must have led to eligibility for coding certification/certification examination, and the sponsoring academic institution must have been accredited by a national U.S. Department of Education accreditor, or comparable international accrediting authority at the time the program was completed; OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, general understanding of medical coding and the health record, and one year above high school, with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service, under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. Also, requires six additional months of creditable experience that is paid or non-paid employment equivalent to a MRT (Coder) Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have either (1), (2), or (3) below: (1) Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. (2) Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. (3) Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS NOTE: Mastery level certification is required for all positions above the journey level; however, for clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, a clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for a mastery level certificationMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: To Qualify for GS 09: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey grade level MRT (Coder), GS-08. Certification: Employees at this level must have a mastery level certification Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: Applicants must have ALL of the following KSAs. Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment, such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, etc Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems for the subspecialty being assigned (outpatient, inpatient, outpatient and inpatient combined) and the ability to research and solve complex questions related to coding conventions and guidelines in an accurate and timely manner Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, in order to meet program objectives Knowledge of training methods and the ability to provide training to new coding staff Ability to collect and analyze data and present results in various formats, which may include presenting reports to various organizational levels Leadership skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution between employees, managers, and clinical staff Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.