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Medical Records Technician (Coder) Health Information Technician (HIT)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Perform incomplete health record analysis by reviewing, analyzing, abstracting, maintaining, extracting, and compiling information from the health record. Check for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the health record and monitor and report for regulatory compliance.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/08/2023 to 02/22/2023
Salary
$37,126 to - $66,888 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Detroit
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSR-11834226-23-SB
Control number
705431600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Preference veterans will receive first consideration, will be referred in the following order: 1) CPS/CP; 2) XP; 3) TP; 4) SSP; 5) All other qualified US citizens. *See "How You Will Be Evaluated" for additional information.

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Duties

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Review health records to ensure all records contain enough information to meet medical/legal requirements, to ensure continuity of patient care, and to support education and research needs.

Analysis of PTF procedures track and monitor PTF errors and transmit corrected data timely. Set work priorities and meet deadlines for closing PTF records, preparing delinquent records, preparing excel spreadsheet and completing incomplete reports.Responsible for performing quantitative and qualitative reviews of health record documentation. Incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all patient care data entered in VistA and/or Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) is accurate, timely, and completed. Adheres to established documentation requirements as outlined by The Joint Commission regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines, as well as medical-legal requirements.

Identifies PTF deficiencies, tracks deficiencies and ensures that the appropriate individual completes their deficiencies. The incumbent sends physicians with the incomplete/delinquent health records and serves as the expert resource for clinical staff regarding requirements for complete documentation.

Assesses the paper health record and electronic Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) for completeness and notes deficiencies in the (IRT, Nuance, VISTA, VISTA Imaging).

Tracks and documents deficiencies and communicates these deficiencies to clinical staff for correction. Notification can be in person, internal e-mail, telephone, or through other normal routing system. Works independently resolving record deficiency issues/erroneous documents and corrective action required within CPRS and seeks guidance of immediate supervisor and/or Clinical Application Coordinator when issues surface when no precedent or procedure has been developed.Review and validate the Edit Analysis Lists (EALs) and the Dispositions in the PTF Master File (419). The EALs are sent in a VistA Mailman message in response to PTF or census transmissions that have data errors. The 419 and census reports are based in Austin at the AITC and require special access.

Prepares complex weekly and monthly reports noting the status of all incomplete/delinquent records and compliance reports and submits the reports to the Chief of HIMS, BP Leadership and clinical staff.

Performs analytical tasks associated with the resolution of "filing" errors on reports uploaded onto spreadsheet. This includes correctly identifying the coder on the report and providing this information to be corrected. Duties may also include the generation of various statistical report to track these errors. Makes appropriate recommendations for changes or solutions and facilitate corrective action when applicable.

Identifies reviews, verifies, and corrects all statistical data concerning MR post reports.

Develops and compiles written reports trending provider specific, service, and hospital compliance reports regarding admission subsequent and discharge notes.

Identifies and abstracts information from health records for special studies and audits both internal and external.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Remote: This is not a remote position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens IAW VA Policy.
  • Experience: 1 year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and a general understanding of health records. 6 months of the required 1 year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform HRT HIT work; OR,
  • Education: Associate's degree from an accredited college/university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, w/ a major field of study in health information technology/management, or related degree with a min. of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, legal aspects of health care and introduction to health records); OR,
  • Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education that qualify for meeting the basic requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience:
    • 6 months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and 1 year above high school, w/ a min. of 6 semester hours of health information technology/health information management.
    • 6 months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given my the U.S. 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 6 months of experience, provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:
GS-04 Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirement.

GS-05 Experience/Education: Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which may include but is not limited to: analyze health records for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, and compliance w/ HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. Perform health record review activities to satisfy external accreditation requirements and medical center performance measures. Monitor, verify, correct, and upload all transcription/medical speech recognition to maintain completeness and accuracy of health records. OR, Education. Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, w/ a major field of study in health information management, or a related degree w/ a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information management or technology (e.g. courses in medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the education/experience above, must demonstrate all of the following:
  • Ability to communicate effectively w/ internal/external customers.
  • Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products used in health information management positions.
  • Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and industry standards.
  • Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties w/in required time frames.
  • Ability to knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy to fully understand the content of a health record.
GS-06 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience may include but is not limited to: Analyze health records for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, and compliance w/ HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accreditation requirement. Perform health record review activities to satisfy external accreditation requirements and medical center performance measures. Create and monitor reports to ensure that deficiencies are resolved and completed appropriately. Monitory, verify, correct, and/or upload all transcription/medical speech recognition to maintain completeness and accuracy of health records. Notify clinical providers regarding incomplete health records, and assist clinical providers regarding completeness of their health record documentation.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the education/experience above, must demonstrate all of the following:
  • Ability to navigate efficiently through the health record to locate needed information.
  • Ability to analyze health record documentation to ensure compliance with guidelines and industry standards.
  • Skill in investigating potential health record errors and making corrections, when appropriate.
  • Skill in interpreting and applying health information guidelines and using judgment to complete assignments.
  • Ability to follow up on incomplete health record documentation.
GS-07 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which may include but is not limited to: Analyze, abstract, maintain, extract and compile information from the health record, working under the review of the supervisor. Analyze health records for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, and compliance w/ HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accreditation requirements. Coordinate and/or perform health record review activities to satisfy external accreditation requirements and medical center performance measures. Notifies clinical providers regarding incomplete health records. Assist clinical providers regarding completeness of their health record documentation, and the correction of health records. Conduct reviews of incomplete records for individuals clearing the facility. Create and monitor reports to ensure that deficiencies are resolved and completed. Monitor, verify, correct, and/or upload all transcription/medical speech recognition to maintain completeness and accuracy of health records.
Demonstrated KSA's. In addition to the education/experience above, must demonstrate all of the following:
  • Ability to judge whether health records contain sufficient information for regulatory requirements, are acceptable as legal documents, are adequate for continuity of patient care, and support education and research needs.
  • Ability to take appropriate actions if health record content is not adequate, accurate, timely, and/or reliable.
  • Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with individuals or groups, to facilitate compliance w/ established policies and regulations.
  • Skill in using appropriate software and computer applications to analyze and record documentation trends.
  • Ability to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessment and improvement of health records.
  • Ability to work independently and utilize problem-solving techniques in the accomplishment of work.
References: VA Handbook 5005/124, Part II, Appendix G59

Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, bending, sitting and occasional standing. The work requires repeat of same movements, sitting for long periods of time. Verbal, auditory and written capabilities to effectively communicate in a articulate manner. The work requires reaching overhead, above shoulders to retrieve files and/or supplies.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

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 resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Job Title & Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & Year of Start/End dates (i.e. June 2007 to April 2008)
Indicate Full-time or Part-time status (include hours worked per week)
References, to include contact information

If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content (Personally Identifiable Information (PII)), it will not be used, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Preference veterans will receive first consideration and will be referred in the following order:

  • CPS/CP: A veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent.
  • XP: A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or is a purple heart recipient.
  • TP: 5-point preference based on eligible active duty service.
  • SSP (Sole Survivorship Preference): Discharged from active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of a "sole survivorship discharge."
  • All other qualified US citizens.

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