Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor-Outpatient and Inpatient

Department of Veterans Affairs • Cheyenne, WY

70d • Remote

About The Position

The VA Cheyenne Health Care System is currently recruiting for one Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor-Outpatient and Inpatient to care for our Veterans as part of the Business Office.

This position currently has a Return to Office (RTO) mid-term extension (180-days). Remote work is currently authorized; however, candidates may be subject to return to office in the event policy changes or the exemption is not extended. Applicants must reside within 50 miles of a VISN 19 facility.

Complete and accurate diagnostic and procedural coded data are necessary for research, epidemiology, outcomes and statistical analysis, financial and strategic planning, reimbursement, evaluation of quality of care, and communication to support the patient's treatment. Diagnoses and procedures will be coded utilizing the current edition of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Clinical Modification (CM) and Procedure Coding System (PCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). NOTE: Coders will follow current published ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, CPT Guidelines, as well as other established industry standard coding guidance such as the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Assistant and the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Coding Clinic.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Adheres to accepted coding practices, guidelines and conventions when validating the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or evaluation and management (E/M) code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding. Applies guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and resource needs.
• Reviews coding and assist coders in improving coding accuracy; provides guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency in practice and compliance with coding rules and regulations; initiates various reports and analyzes data.
• Facilitates improved overall quality, completeness, and accuracy of coded data. Ensures the accuracy and completeness of clinical information used for measuring and reporting physician and medical center outcomes, with continuing education to all members of the patient care team on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for performing audits of coded data, developing criteria, collecting data, graphing, trending, analyzing results, creating reports, and communicating in writing and/or in person to appropriate leadership and groups.
• Collaboratively works with coding staff and clinical staff to provide support and education on coding issues. Provides training and education to coding and clinical staff. Researches complex coding issues and participates in process improvements related to coding.
• Analyzes audit results and prepares summary feedback for individual coders and/or clinicians, making recommendations for improvement. Provides coding consultation to coders and/or clinicians related to coding and documentation questions.
• Maintains statistical databases to track the results and validate the program for identifying patterns and variations in coding practices with regular reports to the medical staff and management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• 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)
• 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.
• 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.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees