This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/555611500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. The Medical Records Technician (CDIS) is responsible for abstracting medical record data and assigning codes using current clinical classification systems appropriate for the type of care provided.
01/02/2020 to 01/23/2020
$52,905 - $68,777 per year
GS 9
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Excepted
None
No
No
CBSV-10657822-20-KM
555611500
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current permanent VA employees will be the first area of consideration, then all other federal employees, then all other applicants.
CDISs are responsible for facilitating improved overall quality, education, and completeness and accuracy of medical record documentation as well as promoting appropriate clinical documentation through extensive interaction with physicians, other patient caregivers, HIM coding staff and other associated staff to ensure clinical documentation and services rendered to patients is complete and accurate for appropriate workload capture and resource allocations. Develop and/or update medical center policy memoranda pertaining to documentation improvement. Serve as technical expert in health record content and documentation requirements. Responsible for performing reviews of the health record documentation; developing criteria, collecting data, graphing and analyzing results, creating reports and communicating in writing and/or in person to appropriate leadership and groups. Obtain appropriate corrective action plans from responsible clinical services directors, when necessary, and recommend improvements or changes in documentation as deemed necessary. Adhere to established documentation requirements as outlined by accrediting agencies guidelines, regulations, policy and medical-legal requirements. Responsible for the development and implementation of active training/education programs (i.e. seminars, workshops, short courses, informational briefings, and conferences) for all providers to ensure the CDIS program objectives are met.
The incumbent works for the Mann-Granstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The position is organizationally aligned under the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) and is expected to work closely with all members of the health care team, Medical Center's administration, Site Managers' Offices, Health Care Administration and VAMC Executive Leadership. The incumbent will be required to periodically work and train clinical staff on documentation improvement opportunities at the VA Medical Center or any of our community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs).
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Telework: May be authorized
(1) 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
(2) 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
(3) 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
(4) 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).
In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above you must also meet the below grade determination qualifications.
Grade Determinations GS-09:
Certification.
Employees at this level must have either a mastery level certification or a clinical documentation improvement certification.
Mastery Level Certification: CertifiedCoding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder(COC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).
Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification. This is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA or the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS). To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must certify mastery in clinical documentation. Certification titles may change, and certifications that meet the definition of clinical documentation improvement certification may be added/removed by the above certifying bodies. However, current Clinical Documentation Improvement Certifications include: Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) and Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist(CCDS).
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):
i. Knowledge of coding and documentation concepts, guidelines, and clinical terminology.
ii. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to interpret and analyze all information in a patient's health record, including laboratory and other test results to identify opportunities for more precise and/or complete documentation in the health record.
iii. Ability to collect and analyze data and present results in various formats, which may include presenting reports to various organizational levels.
iv. Ability to establish and maintain strong verbal and written communication with providers.
v. Knowledge of regulations that define healthcare documentation requirements, including The Joint Commission, CMS, and VA guidelines.
vi. Extensive knowledge of coding rules and regulations, to include current clinical classification systems such as ICDCM and PCS, CPT, and HCPCS. They must also possess knowledge of complication or comorbidity/major complication or comorbidity (CC/MCC), MS-DRG structure, and POA indicators.
vii. Knowledge of severity of illness, risk of mortality, complexity of care for inpatients, and CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) criteria to ensure the correct selection of E/M codes that match patient type, setting of service, and level of E/M service provided for outpatients.
viii. Knowledge of training methods and teaching skills sufficient to conduct continuing education for staff development. The training sessions may be technical in nature or may focus on teaching techniques for the improvement of clinical documentation issues.
Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of experience at the journeyman level.
References: VA Handbook 5005/122, Part II, Appendix G57, dated 12/10/19
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
Physical Requirements: The Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (Medical Records Technician) position will require light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), and varying degrees of walking and standing throughout the day. The position will be mobile, throughout the facility, and inpatient units. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer.
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: 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.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
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.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. 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.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
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.
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.
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 (ET) on 01/23/2020 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10657822.
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.
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This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/555611500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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