Medical Records Techncian (Coder/Auditor)
Auditors serve as experts of current coding conventions and regulations related to professional and facility coding. Some of the duties include but are not limited to:
Performs audits of encounters to identify areas of non-compliance in coding. Provides recommendations on appropriate coding and is responsible for maintaining current knowledge of the various regulatory guidelines and requirements. Works with staff to ensure that regulations are met, or areas of weakness are identified and reported appropriately for corrective action. Performs prospective coding audits and utilizes results to identify processing inadequacies and educate coding and clinical staff where necessary. Coordinates retrospective reviews to ensure adequate auditing of coding activities. Uses a variety of window-based applications in day to day activities and duties, such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access; competent in use of the health record applications (VistA and CPRS) as well as the encoder product suite. 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. Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC. Timely compliance with coding changes is crucial to the accuracy of the facility database as well as all cost recovery programs. Also applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria (in inpatient and outpatient settings) used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and resource needs. Work Schedule:
7:
30am to 4:
00pm M-F Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Telework Eligible:
Telework will be available. This may be a virtual position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/20/2019. 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. Experience and Education:
(1) Knowledge of Current Medical Record Technology. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current health information or health record technology and/or cancer registry practice and may be paid or non-paid employment. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is either directly related to the position to be filled or in a related field. Qualifying experience must also be equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as an MRT in the parenthetical title as described in subparagraph 3b(2) below. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional MRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. English Language Proficiency. MRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). Preferred
Experience:
Incumbent must be able to act independently to plan, organize, direct and control areas with emphasis on data validation, analysis and generation of reports associated with the Medical Center's health information management program. This includes managing the professional health information management functions such as retrieving, reviewing and abstracting health record information. Determine quality control measures needed; initiate and implement them by use of monitors and/or continuous review. Grade Determinations:
GS-9 MRT (Coder) Auditor (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of the applicable regulatory guidelines and requirements for current coding conventions; 2. Knowledge of coding classification systems; 3. Ability to review coded data and supporting documentation to identify adherence to applicable standards, coding conventions, and documentation requirements; and 4. Ability to format and present results and provide guidance to improve accuracy. References:
VA Handbook 5005/79 Part II Appendix G-35 Medical Records Technician Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy at the GS-09 Level. Physical Requirements. The work frequently requires lifting, carrying, filing, and handling of medical records, forms and supplies. Position requires sitting, standing, bending and traveling to a variety of locations within the medical center to query physician/provider for inconsistent electronic progress note documentation/encounter review. Position requires daily extended use of computer terminal for processing all phases of daily work. Incumbent must have emotional and mental stability, and be able to work closely with others.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Performs audits of encounters to identify areas of non-compliance in coding. Provides recommendations on appropriate coding and is responsible for maintaining current knowledge of the various regulatory guidelines and requirements. Works with staff to ensure that regulations are met, or areas of weakness are identified and reported appropriately for corrective action. Performs prospective coding audits and utilizes results to identify processing inadequacies and educate coding and clinical staff where necessary. Coordinates retrospective reviews to ensure adequate auditing of coding activities. Uses a variety of window-based applications in day to day activities and duties, such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access; competent in use of the health record applications (VistA and CPRS) as well as the encoder product suite. 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. Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC. Timely compliance with coding changes is crucial to the accuracy of the facility database as well as all cost recovery programs. Also applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria (in inpatient and outpatient settings) used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and resource needs. Work Schedule:
7:
30am to 4:
00pm M-F Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Telework Eligible:
Telework will be available. This may be a virtual position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/20/2019. 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. Experience and Education:
(1) Knowledge of Current Medical Record Technology. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current health information or health record technology and/or cancer registry practice and may be paid or non-paid employment. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is either directly related to the position to be filled or in a related field. Qualifying experience must also be equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as an MRT in the parenthetical title as described in subparagraph 3b(2) below. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional MRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. English Language Proficiency. MRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). Preferred
Experience:
Incumbent must be able to act independently to plan, organize, direct and control areas with emphasis on data validation, analysis and generation of reports associated with the Medical Center's health information management program. This includes managing the professional health information management functions such as retrieving, reviewing and abstracting health record information. Determine quality control measures needed; initiate and implement them by use of monitors and/or continuous review. Grade Determinations:
GS-9 MRT (Coder) Auditor (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of the applicable regulatory guidelines and requirements for current coding conventions; 2. Knowledge of coding classification systems; 3. Ability to review coded data and supporting documentation to identify adherence to applicable standards, coding conventions, and documentation requirements; and 4. Ability to format and present results and provide guidance to improve accuracy. References:
VA Handbook 5005/79 Part II Appendix G-35 Medical Records Technician Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy at the GS-09 Level. Physical Requirements. The work frequently requires lifting, carrying, filing, and handling of medical records, forms and supplies. Position requires sitting, standing, bending and traveling to a variety of locations within the medical center to query physician/provider for inconsistent electronic progress note documentation/encounter review. Position requires daily extended use of computer terminal for processing all phases of daily work. Incumbent must have emotional and mental stability, and be able to work closely with others.
- Department:
0675 Medical Records Technician - Salary Range:
$52,049 to $67,660 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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