The Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Coder) is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. They serve as an expert coding resource to ensure accuracy and integrity of all coding. They provide education to clinical and coding staff . The supervisory coder is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of coding staff .

Duties

This position serves as the Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Coder) for the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS). Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Applies comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes, treatment modalities, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures as well as the principles and practices of health services and the organizational structure to ensure proper code selection. Selects and assigns codes from the current version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Adheres to accepted coding practices, guidelines and conventions when choosing the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or Evaluation and Management code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding. Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC. Performs a comprehensive review of the patient health record to abstract medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data to ensure complete data capture. Assists facility staff with documentation requirements to completely and accurately reflect the patient care provided, provides technical support in the areas of regulations and policy, coding requirements, resident supervision, reimbursement, workload, accepted nomenclature, and proper sequencing. Ensures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded. Uses a variety of computer 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. Supervisory Functions: Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations for subordinate staff. Interviews new employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of reassignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave schedules. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Schedules the sequence of work and operations on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis to assure even workflow and distribution, expeditious handling of priorities and the meeting of deadlines. Prepares workload and production reports; reports on operations and problems encountered; and presents proposed requests for resource needs based on past experience, anticipated staffing, equipment, and space. Makes assignments that are equitable among employees. Formulates and issues written instructions and procedures and special instructions for non-routine or complex assignments or to clarify published guides. Reviews coding and assist coders in improving coding accuracy; provides coding guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency in practice and compliance with coding rules and regulations. Keeps abreast of all regulations and guidelines governing the coding section, ensuring that staff supervised is educated as needed. Coordinates with other Service representatives on matters concerning health record documentation and coding. Monitors the status and progress of work and day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques. Gives on the job training to new coders and students to provide the individual with the basic knowledge, skill and ability to perform the full range of routine and non-routine responsibilities required. Analyzes and recommends improvements in documentation systems used to provide patient care to optimize VERA workload, third-party reimbursement, and to manage resources. Required to train others on the encoder product suite. Utilizes this system on an on-going basis to perform core coding duties and audits. Conducts provider training to improve health record documentation for the episodes of care provided. Has constant interaction with health care providers evaluating and communicating with the expectation on improving health record documentation which will result in improved patient care and improved revenue generation. Educates providers through feedback, email queries, or informal meetings. Participates in the orientation of House Staff from affiliated medical schools and other personnel as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm Virtual: This is a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92291-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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: Experience One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and the structure and format of a health records OR Education An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, and introduction to health records); OR, Completion of an AHIMA approved coding program, or other intense coding training program of approximately one year or more that included courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic ICD diagnostic/procedural, and basic CPT coding. The training program must have led to eligibility for coding certification/certification examination, and the sponsoring academic institution must have been accredited by a national U.S. Department of Education accreditor, or comparable international accrediting authority at the time the program was completed; OR, Experience/Education Combination Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, general understanding of medical coding and the health record, and one year above high school, with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses. (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 supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. Also, requires six additional months of creditable experience that is paid or non-paid employment equivalent to a MRT (Coder). CERTIFICATION Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have a coding related Mastery Level Certifications through AHIMA or AAPC. Documentation of the current coding related mastery level certification must be submitted with application. GRADE DETERMINATION: GS-10 Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Coder). To be eligible for this position, you must possess one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-09. GS-09 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (your resume must reflect one year experience demonstrating all of the following): (1) skill in classifying medical data from patient health records in the hospital setting, and/or physician-based settings, such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, and specialty centers, (2) analyze and abstract patients' health records and (3) assign alpha-numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure, possess expertise in International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must also demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities to be considered eligible for the GS-10 Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Coder): (1) Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, to include recommending awards, approving leave, evaluating work, resolving staff issues, and assigning, planning, and coordinating work to ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely fashion; (2) Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems such as ICD, CPT, and HCPCS for the subspecialty being assigned (outpatient, inpatient, outpatient and inpatient combined); (3) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training; (4) Leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders, and managers; and (5) Ability to collect and analyze data, identify trends, and present results in various formats. References: See VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G57. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS10. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking, sitting, standing, reaching, bending, and lifting of medical coding books, folders, worksheets, supplies, government furnished laptop equipment, and laptop accessories.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Rhana Smith
• Phone: 734-905-4714
• Email: [email protected]