Lead Medical Records Technician; Coder-Inpatient

The Inpatient Lead Coder must be able to perform all duties of an MRT (Coder). They serve as a subject matter expert and resource for coding staff and other health care professionals regarding coding guidelines, policies, and regulatory requirements for inpatient health records.

Temporarily eligible for Remote work within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center. May fall under the Presidential Memorandum tiled "Return to In-Person Work" which will require you to go into the office if the exemption is not approved at the next review. Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Performs and/or reviews the assignment of International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), ICD-10-PCS procedure codes, and Diagnosis Related Grouping (MS-DRGs or APR-DRGS) based on documentation within inpatient medical records. Conducts regular internal audits of inpatient coding to ensure accuracy, compliance with regulatory and VA policies, and appropriate reimbursement. Collaborates with providers, clinical documentation, resolve coding discrepancies, and support accurate clinical documentation.

Provides direction and support to the inpatient coding team, assists in workload distribution, and acts as a coordinator for inpatient coding-related Initiatives. Orient and instruct new coding personnel and/or students on coding, abstracting and use of the electronic health recorder and encoder software. Ensure audit findings and claim denials related to coding errors are resolved and/or daily coding rejects corrected for accurate billing and data collection.

Monitor trends and/or changes in regulatory and policy requirements affecting coding practices and identify educational needs. Develop coding training material and present a curriculum encompassing ongoing training initiatives. Provide assistance with coding inquiries from providers, MRTs (Coder), billers and other faculty staff. Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday Administrative Hours Telework:
Not applicable, this is a remote position. Remote:
The option for remote work will be assessed continuously, and the selected individual may need to return to a VA office if required. The selectees must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center (

NOTE:

This does not include CBOCs). Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized

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:  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.

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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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL  cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.…