Medical Records Technician (Coder-Outpatient)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties for the Medical Record Technician (Coder- Outpatient) position include (but are not limited to): Applies knowledge of medical record content, medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, diseases processes, and official coding guidelines to assign codes to the most basic and routine outpatient and/or inpatient professional services. Selects and assigns codes from the current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters (outpatient and/or inpatient professional services); encounters are routine and less complex or for only one specialty or subspecialty. Has basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, diseases, treatments, diagnostic tests, and medications to ensure proper code selection. Adheres to accepted coding practices, guidelines and conventions when choosing the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or evaluation and management (E/M) code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding. Also adheres to the coding guidelines specific to the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and resource needs. Maintains current knowledge of regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information. Reviews health record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data. Patient health records may be paper or electronic. Uses knowledge of the organization and structure of the patient health record to capture and justify code assignment. Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin. Corrects any identified data errors or inconsistencies in a timely manner to ensure acceptance in the national VA database within established timelines. Researches references to resolve any questionable code errors; contacts a senior coder or supervisor when needed. 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. Performs a comprehensive review of the patient health record to abstract medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data to ensure complete data capture. Patient health records may be paper or electronic. The abstracted data has many purposes, for example, to profile the facility services and patient population, to determine budgetary requirements, to report to accrediting and peer review organizations, to bill insurance companies and other agencies, and to support research programs. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility). Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Yes Virtual: This is a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00157F Position is remote work eligible and is currently on an extension for the return-to-office mandate. Remote positions are reviewed annually and do not imply permanent remote work status and may be required to comply with the return-to-office mandate in the future.