This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Augusta, Georgia located in the Health Information Management Section (HIMs) of Health Administration Service (HAS). MRTs (Coder) are skilled in classifying medical data from patient health records in the hospital setting.
Summary
This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Augusta, Georgia located in the Health Information Management Section (HIMs) of Health Administration Service (HAS). MRTs (Coder) are skilled in classifying medical data from patient health records in the hospital setting.
Open & closing dates
04/03/2024 to 04/02/2025
Salary
$35,373 - $70,578 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
- Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
8
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Duties
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08.
At all levels: MRTs (Coder) may be assigned to a single facility or region, such as a consolidated coding unit. They select and assign codes from current versions of ICD CM, PCS, CPT, and HCPCS classification systems to both inpatient/outpatient records. They ensure audit findings have been corrected and refiled.
GS-4. Entry level; receive close supervision from more experienced MRTs (Coder). They review record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social and administrative data, and query clinical staff, as appropriate, with close guidance from higher level MRTs (Coder). They use various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, and record and transmit data.
GS-5. Developmental level 1; receive guidance from more experienced MRTs (Coder) for more complex coding procedures. They review record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data, and query clinical staff, as appropriate, with guidance from higher level MRTs (Coder). They use various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, and record and transmit data.
GS-6. Developmental level 2; receive intermittent monitoring. MRTs (Coder) perform a combination of inpatient/outpatient coding duties. They review record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data, and query clinical staff, as appropriate, with limited guidance from higher level MRTs (Coder). They use various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, and record and transmit data.
GS-7. Developmental level 3; receive minimal monitoring. MRTs (Coder) perform a combination of inpatient/outpatient coding duties. They review record documentation to abstract all required medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data with minimal guidance from higher level MRTs (Coder). They review and abstract clinical data from the record for documentation of diagnoses and procedures to ensure it is adequate and appropriate to support the assigned codes. They review provider health record documentation to ensure that it supports the diagnostic and procedural codes assigned and is consistent with required medical coding nomenclature. They also query clinical staff with documentation requirements to support the coding process. They use various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, and record and transmit data.
GS-8. Journey Level. MRTs (Coder) at this level perform the full scope of inpatient/outpatient coding duties. Inpatient duties consist of the performance of a comprehensive review of documentation within the health record to assign ICD CM and PCS codes for diagnosis, complications/major complications, comorbid/major comorbid conditions, surgery, and procedures for accurate assignment of DRGs. Outpatient duties consist of the performance of a comprehensive review of documentation within the health record to accurately assign ICD CM codes for diagnosis and complications, and CPT/HCPCS codes for surgeries, procedures, evaluation and management services, and inpatient professional services. They independently review and abstract clinical data from the record for documentation of diagnoses and procedures to ensure it is adequate and appropriate to support the assigned codes. They code all complicated and complex medical/specialty diseases processes, patient injuries, and all medical procedures in a wide range of ambulatory/inpatient settings and specialties. They directly consult with the clinical staff for clarification of conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous clinical data in the health record. They abstract, assign, and sequence codes into encoder software to obtain correct diagnosis-related DRG, support medical necessity, resolve encoder edits, and ensure codes accurately reflect services rendered. They review provider health record documentation to ensure that it supports diagnostic and procedural codes assigned, and is consistent with required medical coding nomenclature. They query clinical staff with documentation requirements to support the coding process. They enter and correct information that has been rejected, when necessary. They correct any identified data errors or inconsistencies. They use various computer applications to abstract records, assign codes, and record and
transmit data.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
