Medical Records Technician (Medical Coder)
Location: New York, New York
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is presently looking of Medical Records Technician (Medical Coder) right now, this career will be designated in New York. Detailed specification about this career opportunity please read the description below. Vacancy Identification Number (VIN):
862177 (Include on all documents)
WHO MAY APPLY:
US Citizens
care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his
orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's
Veterans.
How would you like to become a part of a team
providing compassionate care to Veterans?
NOTE:
The full performance level of this vacancy is
GS-8
.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy
is in the range of
GS-4
to
GS-8
.
The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the
selected candidateÂ's education and experience and recommend the grade and step
at which the candidate will be placed.
The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected
candidate.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply
KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to a! pply for this job.
Subject to a background/suitabilit! y investigation.
Must pass pre-employment examination
English Language Proficiency required
Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
DUTIES:
The Medical Records Technician (Medical Coder) is a staff member of the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) at the VA Western New York Healthcare System in Buffalo, NY and is responsible for assignment of appropriate codes based on medical record documentation and other health information management duties.
The medical center is a teaching healthcare facility accredited by different agencies including the Joint Commission; and has inpatient, outpatient, as well as nursing home care services, which may include but are not limited to the following areas:
Medicine, Surgery, Urology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Telemetry, and Psychiatry.
Performs a comprehensive quantitative/qualitative analysis of records to ensure all components of the records are pr! esent, accurate and comply with VA and Joint Commission (JC) requirements. Ensures all documentation is present in appropriate format and sequence, identified and signed to meet JC and VA requirements.
Accurate and complete coding remains the primary responsibility of the MRT.
Correct identification and coding of the principal diagnosis (that condition established after study to be the reason for the admission), along with the coding of significant complication and/or comorbidities, and surgical/procedural information will determine the proper Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) for database and reimbursement while ensuring adherence to Medicare fraud and Abuse guidelines.
The correct coding initiative must be followed whenever applicable.
Achieves a balance in quality and quantity with the goal of maintaining both elements at a prescribed level of efficiency.
Tour of Duty:
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm; subject to ch! ange based on agency needs.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Citizenship.
Citizen of the United States.
Experience.
Two years of experience that demonstrates the applicantÂ's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. Six months of the required 2 years of experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAs) needed to perform MRT work OR
Education.
Successful completion of an associateÂ's degree with a major field of study in medical record technology/health information technology which was accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at the time the program was completed OR
Experience/Education Combination.
Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate in this provision for combining education and experience:
(a)
Successful completion of! an associateÂ's degree in a field of study other than medical records/health information will substitute for 18 months of the required experience.
(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.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
:
GS-4
Experience or
Education
.
None beyond basic requirements.
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology;
2.
Basic knowledge of disease processes and human anatomy;
3.
Basic knowledge of medical record/health information guidelines, techniques,
and procedures;
4.
Knowledge of the medical and legal significance of medical records.
GS-5
Experience
. In add! ition to
the basic requirements, at least 1 year of experience at t! he next lower grade
level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate
must demonstrate the following KSAs:
OR,
Education.
Successful
completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
with a major field of study in medical record technology/health information
technology or a related degree with courses related to medical record
technology sufficient to evidence the core competencies identified.
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1.
Ability to apply knowledge of medical terminology, human
anatomy/pathophysiology, and disease processes sufficient to appropriately
file, locate, and disclose health information;
2.
Ability to correctly apply a practical knowledge of laws and regulations
related to the confidentiality of health information and the release of
information from medical records;
3. Knowledge of the internal organization of medical records and medical record
references and procedures as appropriate to the position.
4.
Ability to use health information software appropriate to the position, such as
the electronic patient record, record tracking systems, chart deficiency
systems, coding and abstracting systems, release of information systems,
document scanning technology, electronic spreadsheets, transcription systems,
encoder products, electronic encounter forms, database software, etc.
GS-6
Experience.
One year of
experience comparable to the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at
that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1.
Ability to apply knowledge of medical terminology, human
anatomy/pathophysiology, and disease processes to fully understand the content
of a patie! nt record;
2.
Ability to navigate efficiently through the ! paper and electronic medical record
to find needed information;
3.
Skill in interpreting and adapting health information guidelines that are not completely
applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity and ability to use judgment
in completing assignments with incomplete or inadequate guidelines;
4.
If assigned to medical record analysis, ability to judge whether medical
records contain sufficient information for regulatory requirements; are
acceptable as legal documents; are adequate for continuity of patient care; and
support education and research needs. This includes the ability to take
appropriate actions if medical record contents are not adequate; accurate,
timely, and/or reliable;
5.
Ability to apply laws and regulations on the confidentiality of health
information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
6.!
If assigned to a tumor registry position, ability to apply guidelines and
standards for the maintenance of an approved tumor registry; and
7.
If assigned to a medical coding position, comprehensive knowledge of
classification systems, such as current versions of International
Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Technology (CPT), the
Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) or Healthcare Common Procedure
Coding System (HCPCS), and skill in applying coding knowledge.
GS-7
Experience
. One year of
experience comparable to the next lower grade level and must fully meet the
KSAs at that level including those for tumor registry or coder assignments if
applicable. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
(1)
Knowledge of classification systems, such as current versions of ICD, CPT,
SNO! MED or HCPCS, and skill in applying coding knowledge to a wide range of!
specialty areas;
(2)
Knowledge of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) as well as Medicare/Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
and/or VHA medical record documentation requirements;
(3)
Ability to communicate with clinical staff on coding and documentation issues
such as recording inpatient and outpatient diagnoses and procedures, the use of
encounter forms, the correct sequencing of diagnoses/ procedures, and/or the
relationship between health care documentation and code assignment;
(4)
Ability to research and solve complex questions related to coding and
documentation, such as adequate health information documentation, coding,
billing, resident supervision, etc.; and
(5)
Skill in reviewing and correcting system or processing errors, reviewing
transmission reports, and ensuring all assigned episodes are complete and
accurate as appropriate! to the duties assigned,
GS-8
Experience
. One year of
experience comparable to the next lower grade level for the appropriate
assignment area and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
(1)
Ability to analyze the medical record to identify all pertinent diagnoses and
procedures for coding, and to evaluate the adequacy of the documentation. This
includes the ability to read and understand the content of the medical record,
the terminology, the significance of the comments, and the disease
process/pathophysiology of the patient;
(2)
Skill in reviewing medical record documentation and assigning current versions
of the classification systems required in the current position, such as ICD and
CPT; and
(3)
Advanced knowledge of the full scope of coding and abstracting including
inpatient discharges, surgical cases, diagno! stic studies and procedures,
outpatient encounters, and inpatient p! rofessional fees for a highly diversified
range of specialties and subspecialties, such as orthopedics, neurosurgery,
cardiology, gastroenterology, plastic surgery, spinal cord injury, blind
rehabilitation, anesthesia, acute and long term psychiatry including addiction
treatment, hospice, ambulatory surgery, and other types of care.
Coders
analyze and abstract medical record data and assign codes using clinical classification systems. Medical coding requires independent judgment based on medical record documentation and personal coding knowledge and skill. Certification is offered by AHIMA as a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P), or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) as a Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A), Certified Professional Coder-Hospita! l Apprentice (CPC-H-A), Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H) and is highly desired.
References
:
VA Handbook 5005 at
http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc
(also
available in the local Human Resources Office) and
OPM
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions
at
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm
.
PHYSICAL
REQUIREMENTS:
The use of fingers and having both eyes is a requirment for the position, as well as the environmental factors of working closely with others and working alone
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution
recognized by the U.S. Department of Edu! cation in order for it to be credited
towards qualifications (parti! cularly positions with a positive education
requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or
degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the
following website:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
All education claimed by
applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
Veterans'
Preference:
When
applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their
application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on
service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a
disabled or deceased Veter! an, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point
Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted
tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their
applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to
appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information
on Veterans' Preference, please visit
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx
.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your application, résumé and/or supporting
documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.
Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may
also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a
structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you
should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly
what you did, and the outcome.
To beg! in the process, click the
Apply Online
button at the ! right side of
this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure
you click the
Submit My Answers
button at the end of the process.
BENEFITS:
Working
for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits
package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life
insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the
Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars
and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance
work and life. For more information please visit us at
http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp
.
OTHER INFORMATION:
This
job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does no! t confer competitive
status.
Receiving
Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave:
Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period)
which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their
job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn
annual leave
- .
If you were eligible to this career, please give us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
Interested on this career, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This career starts available on: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:12:35 GMT
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