[Hiring] Medical Records Technician - Coder Auditor @VA Rocky Mountain Network

Role Description

The VISN Consolidated Coding Unit Auditor is a position located within the Business Office Support Services (BOSS), Health Information Management (HIM) section, within VISN 19, Rocky Mountain VA Network. Auditors serve as experts of current coding conventions and regulations related to professional and facility coding.

• 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.
• Applies comprehensive 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.
• Selects and assigns codes from the current version of several coding systems including ICD, CPT, and/or HCPCS, adhering to accepted coding practices, guidelines, and conventions.
• Applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program.
• Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VA.
• Assists facility staff with documentation requirements to accurately reflect patient care; provides technical support in regulations, coding requirements, resident supervision, reimbursement, and proper sequencing.
• Expertly searches the patient record to find documentation justifying code assignment based on an expanded knowledge of the organization and structure of the patient health record.
• Reviews, analyzes, and reports performance monitors for PTF, PCE, VERA, and Non-VA Medical Care coding.
• Reviews coding and assists coders in improving coding accuracy; provides coding guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency and compliance with coding rules and regulations.
• Ensures the accuracy and completeness of clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician and medical center outcomes with ongoing education to all members of the patient care team.
• Maintains statistical database(s) to track results and validate the program for identifying patterns and variations in coding practices with regular reports to the medical staff and management.

Qualifications

• 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: One year of creditable experience indicating knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and the structure and format of health records.
• Education: An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major in health information technology/health information management, or related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management.
• 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.
• Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements.

Requirements

• Basic Certification: Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have either Apprentice/Associate Level Certification, Mastery Level Certification, or Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.
• GS-9 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey grade level of a MRT (Coder).
• GS-9 Certification: Employees at this level must have a mastery level certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
• GS-9 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems, ability to research and solve complex questions, ability to review coded data, ability to format and present audit results, and skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.

Benefits

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Hours are flexible with various tours available.
• Remote: Yes. Remote exempted positions are reviewed annually and do not imply permanent remote work status.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.