Employment Type : Full-Time
Duties The following duties include but are not limited to: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must include your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable). Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Please be clear and specific in describing your experience, or any information in your resume or any attachments you provide. We will not make assumptions regarding any information provided regarding your experience on your resume or any information contained in your application materials. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. How to Apply All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on 09/06/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11608787. (970) 263-6272 Jeannie.Wright2@va.gov Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Current excepted service federal employees. U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. This is an external job announcement open to excepted federal employees and the public. Current permanent employees of the Veterans Health Administration should apply to INTERNAL job announcement number, CBSU-11608786-22-JMW. Veteran's preference does NOT apply to this occupational series.
GS-4 duties
Performs the following tasks under close guidance from higher level MRTs & query clinical level staff as needed
Selects/assigns codes from current versions of ICD-10-PCSW, CPT, & HCPCS classification systems for inpatient/outpatient records
Reviews record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social &administrative data &query clinical staff
Uses various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, & record and transmit data
Ensures audit findings are corrected & refiled
Applies knowledge of medical record content, medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes, &official coding guidelines to assign codes to the most basic & routine outpatient &inpatient services
Selects & assigns codes from current versions of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Clinical Modification (CM) & Procedure Coding System (PCS) for inpatient facility MS-DRG coding, & Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), &/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) for inpatient professional coding & outpatient coding
Learns to select diagnosis, operation, or procedure codes on accepted coding practices, guidelines, conventions & policy
Reviews record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, & administrative data w/ guidance & instruction from supervisor or senior coder to develop knowledge of organization & structure of electronic patient record
Utilizes facility computer system & software applications to code, abstract, record, & transmit data to national VA database in Austin
Identifies data errors & reviews w/ Senior coder or Supervisor & makes corrections
Uses variety of computer applications in day to day activities & duties, develops use of health records applications, (VistA and CPRS) & encoder product suite
Other duties as assigned
GS-5 duties
Serves as a Level 1 MRT Coder
Performs all duties of a GS-4
Analyzes & abstracts patients' health records and assigns alpha-numeric codes for each diagnosis & procedures
Possesses expertise in ICD, CPT, HCPCS
Provides education related to coding & documentation
Assigns codes to document patient care encounters for in patient & out patient
Reviews & corrects coding errors
Other duties assigned
GS-6 duties
Serves as a developmental Level 2 MRT Coder
Performs some of duties of GS-4 & 5 as needed
Ensures audit findings are corrected & refiled
Assigns codes for patient care encounters
Selects & assigns codes from current version of 1 or more coding system
Assists facility staff w/ basic documentation requirements to reflect patient care
Other duties as assigned
GS-7 duties
Serves as a developmental Level 3 MRT Coder
Performs some duties of a GS-4, 5, & 6 as needed
Analyzes & abstracts patients' health records & assign codes for diagnosis & procedures
Provides education related to coding & documentation
Reviews provider documentation to ensure it supports diagnostic & procedural codes & that it's consistent w/ required medical nomenclature
Ensures audit findings are corrected & refiled
Uses advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes, treatments, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures, & accepted health care services to ensure proper code selection
Monitors regulatory & policy requirements affecting coding information for full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC
Ensures coding is processed in timely & accurate manner since it affects all cost recovery programs
Directly consults w/ professional staff for clarification as needed
Reports incorrect data or codes in electronic patient record
Other duties as assigned
GS 8 duties
Serves as a Level 3 MRT Coder
This is the full performance level for this occupational series
This is the journey level for this position
Performs full scope of inpatient & outpatient coding duties
Select & assigns codes from current versions of ICD CM, PCS, CPT, and HCPCS classification systems to both inpatient & outpatient records
Performs some duties of a GS-4, 5, 6, & 7 as needed
Performs a comprehensive review of health documentation to assign correct coding
Codes all complicated & complex medical/specialty diseases, processes, & patient injuries
Directly consults w/ clinical staff for clarification of conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous clinical data
Abstracts, assigns, & sequences codes into encoder edits to ensure codes accurately reflect services rendered
Other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized for a highly qualified applicant
Telework: May be authorized for a highly qualified applicant
Virtual: May be authorized for a highly qualified applicant
Functional Statement #: PD54179A
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:
Citizenship: US Citizen
Language: Must be proficient in spoken & written English
Experience and Education Experience 1 year of creditable experience that shows knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, &structure/format of health records
OR
Ed ucation Associate degree from accredited college or university recognized by the US Dept of Education w/ major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or related degree with minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management e.g. courses in medical terminology, anatomy &physiology, medical coding, &introduction to health records
OR
Completion of AHIMA approved coding program, or other intense coding training program of approximately 1 year or more that included courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic ICD diagnostic/procedural, &basic CPT coding. Training program must have led to eligibility for coding certification/certification examination, &sponsoring academic institution must have been accredited by national US Dept of Education accreditor, or comparable international accrediting authority when the program was finished
OR
Experience/Education Combination Equivalent combinations of creditable experience &education are qualifying &meet basic requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are suitable for combining education & and health record, & 1 year above high school, w/ minimum 6 semester hours of health information technology courses. Successful completion medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training course obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the US Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision may be substituted on month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience provided training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, & health record techniques &procedures. Requires 6 additional months of creditable experience paid or non-paid employment equivalent to MRT Coder
Certification Persons hired or reassigned to MRT Coder positions in GS-0675 series in VHA must have 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 ACDISNOTE: Mastery level certification required for all positions above the journey level. For clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for mastery level certification
Grade Determinations:
Medical Records Technician Coder-Outpatient and Inpatient:
GS-4
Experience
OR
Education
None beyond basic requirements
GS-5
Experience
1 year creditable experience equivalent to next lower grade level
OR
Education Successful completion of bachelor degree from accredited college or university recognized by the US Dept of Education w/ major field of study in health information, (info) management, or related degree w/ minimum of 24 semester hours in health info management or technology
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities, KSAs
In addition to above experience candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs
Ability to use health information technology & various office software products used in MRT Coder positions e.g., electronic health record, coding & abstracting software etc
Ability to navigate through &abstract pertinent info from health records
Knowledge of ICD CM, PCS Official Conventions and Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, &CPT guidelines
Ability to apply medical terminology knowledge, human anatomy/physiology, & disease processes to accurately assign codes to inpatient/outpatient episodes of care based on health record documentation
Knowledge of The Joint Commission requirements, CMS, &health record documentation guidelines
Ability to manage priorities & coordinate work to finish tasks by deadline, &ability to follow-up on pending issues
GS-6
Experience
1 year creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Demonstrated KSAs
In addition to above experience candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs
Ability to analyze health record & identify all pertinent diagnoses/procedures for coding &evaluate records adequacy
Ability to decide whether health records contain sufficient info for regulatory requirements, are acceptable as legal documents, are adequate for patient care continuity &support assigned codes. Includes ability to take suitable actions if health record contents aren't complete, accurate, timely,&/or reliable
Ability to apply laws/regulations to health info confidentiality e.g. Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, &HIPAA
Ability to accurately apply ICD CM, PCS Official Conventions & Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, & CPT Guidelines to various coding scenarios
Current classification systems comprehensive knowledge, e.g. ICD CM, PCS, CPT, HCPCS, & skill in applying classifications to both inpatient/outpatient records based on health record info
Knowledge of complication or comorbidity/major complication or comorbidity (CC/MCC) & POA indicators to obtain correct MS-DRG
GS-7
Experience
1 year creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Demonstrated KSAs
In addition to above experience candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs
Skill applying current coding classifications to variety of inpatient/outpatient specialty care areas to accurately reflect service & care provided based on documentation in health record.
Ability to communicate w/ clinical staff for specific coding and documentation issues, e.g. recording inpatient/outpatient diagnoses& procedures, diagnoses &/or procedure sequencing corrections, &relationship between health record info &code assignment
Ability to research &solve coding/record related issues
Skill to review/correct system or process errors & ensure all work is complete
Ability to abstract, assign, and sequence codes, including complication or comorbidity/major complication or comorbidity (CC/MCC) & POA indicators to obtain correct MS-DRG
GS-8
Experience
1 year creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Demonstrated KSAs
In addition to above experience candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs
Ability to analyze health record to identify pertinent diagnoses & procedures for coding & to evaluate the record adequacy, to include ability to read/understand health record content, terminology, comment significance, & patient's disease process/pathophysiology
Ability to accurately perform full scope of outpatient(coding &encounters) coding ambulatory surgical cases, diagnostic studies/procedures, inpatient(facility coding, discharges, & professional services) surgical cases, diagnostic studies &procedures
Skill in interpreting &adapting health info guidelines not completely applicable to work, or have gaps in specificity,& ability to use judgment to finish tasks using partial or inadequate guidelines
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G57
The full performance grade level for this vacancy is a GS-8. Applicants can be selected from a range of a GS-4 grade to a GS-8 grade
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position w/out restriction. This position involves regular & recurring physical exertion, involving, standing and walking for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying supplies weighing up to 40 lb., typing, & bending/stooping. 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.
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.
Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU USE THE FEDERAL RESUME BUILDER ON USA JOBS AS IT PROMPTS YOU TO ADD REQUIRED INFOMATION NEEDED TO DETERMINATION ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS.
1. CV or Resume: Resume must include your, position title, grade, how to contact you, descriptions of jobs held including the name and address of the employer, job title, detailed description of job duties, beginning and ending date, (month and year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. (Required to upload copy of document).
2. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - Must include latest SF-50 showing grade, step and salary. (Award SF-50s will not be accepted due to the grade step and salary missing.) (Required to be uploaded, and must be submitted if current or former employee).
3. Transcripts (Required to be uploaded if using education to qualify, can be unofficial transcripts, but transcripts must include the following information: your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable).)
4. Copy of completed AHIMA approved coding program certificate, if applicable (Required to be uploaded)
5. Copy of completed of one of the following certificates: 1) Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC, OR 2) Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC, OR 3) Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDISNOTE: Mastery level certification required for all positions above the journey level. For clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for mastery level certification, (Required to be uploaded)
6. VA Form 10-2850 VA Form 10-2850c an be found at:https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf.(Not required to be uploaded but if selected will be required to complete it.)
7. Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of030pdf ). (Not required to be uploaded but if selected will be required to complete it.)8. Optional cover letter. (Not required, but desired)
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Agency contact information JEANNIE WRIGHT Phone
1011 Honor Heights Drive
Muskogee, OK 74401
US Next steps
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU USE THE FEDERAL RESUME BUILDER ON USA JOBS AS IT PROMPTS YOU TO ADD REQUIRED INFOMATION NEEDED TO DETERMINATION ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS.
1. CV or Resume: Resume must include your, position title, grade, how to contact you, descriptions of jobs held including the name and address of the employer, job title, detailed description of job duties, beginning and ending date, (month and year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. (Required to upload copy of document).
2. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - Must include latest SF-50 showing grade, step and salary. (Award SF-50s will not be accepted due to the grade step and salary missing.) (Required to be uploaded, and must be submitted if current or former employee).
3. Transcripts (Required to be uploaded if using education to qualify, can be unofficial transcripts, but transcripts must include the following information: your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable).)
4. Copy of completed AHIMA approved coding program certificate, if applicable (Required to be uploaded)
5. Copy of completed of one of the following certificates: 1) Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC, OR 2) Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC, OR 3) Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDISNOTE: Mastery level certification required for all positions above the journey level. For clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for mastery level certification, (Required to be uploaded)
6. VA Form 10-2850 VA Form 10-2850c an be found at:https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf.(Not required to be uploaded but if selected will be required to complete it.)
7. Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of030pdf ). (Not required to be uploaded but if selected will be required to complete it.)8. Optional cover letter. (Not required, but desired)
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Help This job is open to
Clarification from the agency