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Medical Records Tech (Coder) Auditor

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Wallops Island, Virginia
Closing date
Apr 6, 2023
Duties

Major Duties:
  • Reviews, analyzes and reports performance monitors for PTF, PCE, VERA and Non-VA Medical Care (purchased care) coding.
  • Audit accurate and complete assignment of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes, MS-DRG, POA status, and discharge disposition values for inpatient health records.
  • Audit accurate and complete assignment of ICD-10- CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes, including appropriate E/M assignment and modifier usage for outpatient health records.
  • Audit function includes evaluation of clinical documentation to support optimal code assignment.
  • Reviews coding and assist coders in improving coding accuracy; provides coding guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency in practice and compliance with coding rules and regulations; initiates various reports and analyze data.
  • Facilitates improved overall quality, completeness and accuracy of coded data.
  • Ensures the accuracy and completeness of clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician and medical center outcomes with continuing education to all members of the patient care team on an ongoing basis.
  • Responsible for performing audits of coded data, developing criteria, collecting data, graphing and analyzing results, creating reports and communicating in writing and/or in person to appropriate leadership and groups.
  • Collaboratively works with coding staff and clinical staff to provide support and education on coding issues.
  • Provides training and education to coding and clinical staff. Researches complex coding issues and participates in process improvements related to coding.
  • Assists in the development of guidelines for data quality, consistency, and monitoring for compliance to improve the quality for clinical, financial, and administrative data to ensure that all coded data is fully documented and supported. Such efforts are conducted to ensure the accuracy of billing denials and prevention against fraud and abuse and to optimize the medical center's authorized reimbursement for utilization of resources provided.
  • As a technical expert in health information coding matters, provides advice and guidance on documentation and coding requirements.
  • Maintains current knowledge to ensure that coding and documentation meets regulatory guidelines and audit standards, and results in appropriate data capture and reimbursement.
  • Analyze audit results and prepare summary feedback for individual coders and/or clinicians, making recommendations for improvement.
  • Provide coding consultation to coders and/or clinicians related to coding and documentation questions.
  • Maintains statistical database(s) to track the results and validate the program for identifying patterns and variations in coding practices with regular reports to the medical staff and management.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday Through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.


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 Language.
  • Experience and Education. Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and structure and format of a health records. OR Education. An Associates' 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 semesters 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 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:(a) 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. (b) 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 MPC.(2) Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or MPC.(3) Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.
May 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: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey grade level of a MRT (Coder) AND
Certification. Employees at this level must have a mastery level certification. Current mastery level certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
a) Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems such as ICD, CPT, and HCPCS for the subspecialty being assigned (outpatient, inpatient, outpatient and inpatient combined).
b) Ability to research and solve complex questions related to coding conventions and guidelines in an accurate and timely manner.
c) Ability to review coded data and supporting documentation to identify adherence to applicable standards, coding conventions and guidelines, and documentation requirements.
d) Ability to format and present audit results, identify trends, and provide guidance to improve accuracy.
e) Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with individuals at all organizational levels.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G57, Medical Record Technician (Coder) Qualification Standard, GS-0675.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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