Total 19 job vacancies by Veterans Health Administration

Duties included, but are not limited to:

According to the requirements of the Commission on Cancer, the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System's Cancer Committee, the National VA Oncology Program and the NCI SEER Programs, incumbent identifies required reportable diseases in this facility's patients through the use of the VISTA Oncology Program.

Thoroughly searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis. This includes demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment.

Coding assignments may involve highly technical, complex diagnoses/procedures. The incumbent utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected. In addition, uses specific codes required in a cancer registry, stage of disease, morphology and topography using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, AJCC Staging Manual, and the FORDS manual.

Independently codes a wide variety of medical diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. These include:

• 1) Codes stages of disease using American Joint Commission on Cancer staging requirements.
• 2) Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment, (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy).
• 3) Identifies coding discrepancies.
• 4) Facilitates resolution of coding discrepancies by discussion with providers.
• 5) Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify.
• 6) Reviews records to obtain data.
• 7) Enters data obtained from the record into the registry software.
• 8) Analyzes data retrieved and provides the results to health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies and trends in cancer.

Duties included, but are not limited to:

According to the requirements of the Commission on Cancer, the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System's Cancer Committee, the National VA Oncology Program and the NCI SEER Programs, incumbent identifies required reportable diseases in this facility's patients through the use of the VISTA Oncology Program.

Thoroughly searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis. This includes demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment.

Coding assignments may involve highly technical, complex diagnoses/procedures. The incumbent utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected. In addition, uses specific codes required in a cancer registry, stage of disease, morphology and topography using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, AJCC Staging Manual, and the FORDS manual.

Independently codes a wide variety of medical diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. These include:

• 1) Codes stages of disease using American Joint Commission on Cancer staging requirements.
• 2) Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment, (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy).
• 3) Identifies coding discrepancies.
• 4) Facilitates resolution of coding discrepancies by discussion with providers.
• 5) Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify.
• 6) Reviews records to obtain data.
• 7) Enters data obtained from the record into the registry software.
• 8) Analyzes data retrieved and provides the results to health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies and trends in cancer.

Basic Functions:

• Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters (outpatient and/or inpatient professional services) covering the full range of health care services provided by the VAMC. Applies advanced 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 /assigns codes from the current versions of the International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System.
• 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. Also applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation program
• Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information
• 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.
• Insures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded. Directly consults with the professional staff for clarification of conflicting or ambiguous clinical data. Reports incorrect documentation or codes
• Expertly searches the patient health record to find documentation justifying code assignment based on an expanded knowledge of the organization and structure of the patient record.
• Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correctly code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin. Corrects any identified data errors or inconsistencies to ensure acceptance in the national VA database within established timelines. Independently researches references to resolve any questionable code errors
• 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.
• Orients and instructs new personnel and/or students from affiliated health information or medical record technology programs
• Works within a team environment; supports peers in meeting goals and deadlines; flexible and handles multiple tasks; works under pressure; and copes with frequently changing projects and deadlines.
• Conducts re-reviews of codes abstracted for outpatient encounters identified by the VERA committee to determine if based on the documentation the specific VERA coding requirements were followed; corrects coding as needed to ensure proper patient classification in the VERA program.
• Codes inpatient professional fee services for identified inpatient admissions. Code selection is based upon strict compliance with regulatory fraud and abuse guidelines and VA specific guidance for optimum allowable reimbursement.
• Establishes the primary and secondary diagnosis and procedure codes for outpatient encounters following applicable regulations, instructions, and requirements for allowable reimbursement; links the appropriate diagnosis to the procedure and/or determines level of E/M service provided. Understands the nuances of the CPT coding system for Third Party Insurance cost recovery and accurately interprets instructional notations; bundles encounters when appropriate; identifies non-billable encounters.
• Codes all Operating Room procedures reported in the Surgical Package of the VistA hospital system; applies ICD and CPT coding guidelines and selects proper codes using the current code set and the encoder product suite; ensures all procedures file to the appropriate Patient Care Encounter; adds Anesthesia and Pathology codes to the PCE encounter for all billable surgical cases.
• Reviews and codes assigned fee service Care in the Community outpatient encounters using the paper or electronic documentation obtained from non-VA facilities such as Community Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, military facilities, etc.
• Codes diagnoses from paper forms for VA registries such as Agent Orange, Ionizing Radiation, Persian Gulf, Prisoner of War, etc.

Basic Functions:

• Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters (outpatient and/or inpatient professional services) covering the full range of health care services provided by the VAMC. Applies advanced 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 /assigns codes from the current versions of the International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System.
• 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. Also applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation program
• Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information
• 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.
• Insures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded. Directly consults with the professional staff for clarification of conflicting or ambiguous clinical data. Reports incorrect documentation or codes
• Expertly searches the patient health record to find documentation justifying code assignment based on an expanded knowledge of the organization and structure of the patient record.
• Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correctly code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin. Corrects any identified data errors or inconsistencies to ensure acceptance in the national VA database within established timelines. Independently researches references to resolve any questionable code errors
• 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.
• Orients and instructs new personnel and/or students from affiliated health information or medical record technology programs
• Works within a team environment; supports peers in meeting goals and deadlines; flexible and handles multiple tasks; works under pressure; and copes with frequently changing projects and deadlines.
• Conducts re-reviews of codes abstracted for outpatient encounters identified by the VERA committee to determine if based on the documentation the specific VERA coding requirements were followed; corrects coding as needed to ensure proper patient classification in the VERA program.
• Codes inpatient professional fee services for identified inpatient admissions. Code selection is based upon strict compliance with regulatory fraud and abuse guidelines and VA specific guidance for optimum allowable reimbursement.
• Establishes the primary and secondary diagnosis and procedure codes for outpatient encounters following applicable regulations, instructions, and requirements for allowable reimbursement; links the appropriate diagnosis to the procedure and/or determines level of E/M service provided. Understands the nuances of the CPT coding system for Third Party Insurance cost recovery and accurately interprets instructional notations; bundles encounters when appropriate; identifies non-billable encounters.
• Codes all Operating Room procedures reported in the Surgical Package of the VistA hospital system; applies ICD and CPT coding guidelines and selects proper codes using the current code set and the encoder product suite; ensures all procedures file to the appropriate Patient Care Encounter; adds Anesthesia and Pathology codes to the PCE encounter for all billable surgical cases.
• Reviews and codes assigned fee service Care in the Community outpatient encounters using the paper or electronic documentation obtained from non-VA facilities such as Community Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, military facilities, etc.
• Codes diagnoses from paper forms for VA registries such as Agent Orange, Ionizing Radiation, Persian Gulf, Prisoner of War, etc.

The Pharmacy Technician, GS-0661-07, with the Clinical Contact Center is expected to strive to achieve First Contact Resolution (FCR) whenever possible. They are expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely sensitive to their specific contribution to the overall patient care provided. As required and assigned, the incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties normally performed by general VISN Clinical Contact Center pharmacy technicians at the lower grade level.

Specialized duties, in addition to the generalized duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Medication Management:

• Works collaboratively with VISN programs, services, and interdisciplinary team members to provide access to care and meet the need of Veterans, their family members and/or legal representatives via various available contact modalities to include, but not limited to, telephone calls, secure messaging, chat, text messaging, and video regarding a broad range of topics including medication refills and renewals, basic billing inquiries, and procedural pharmacy activities.
• Routinely reviews medication profiles for therapeutic duplication, prescription non­ compliance, allergies, and drug interactions. Seeks assistance with identified individuals from a Clinical Pharmacist or supervisor for further evaluation, if needed.
• Processes and submits patient requests for new prescription orders and renewal requests, including controlled substances, into the VISN Clinical Contact Center software and/or Electronic Health Record (EHR) accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner. Uses approved VISN Clinical Contact Center Pharmacy protocols when appropriate to satisfy patient medication requests.
• Consistently documents patient contact and resolution in VISN Clinical Contact Center software and/or the EHR to include, but not limited to, what was requested, what action was taken, and any other information which may be pertinent during future research. Assists in the documentation of medication variances.
• Assists in training of lower graded technicians and technician students.
• Assists in the completion of workload for other VISN Clinical Contact Center Pharmacy Services in the event of natural disasters, low staffing, or other contingency needs.
• Performs all duties of lower graded technicians, if required.

• Actively and diligently treats all Veterans with respect and utmost dignity. Seeks to resolve Veteran's concerns at first contact independently. When required, refers to other VA resources to assist in the resolution process. Always resolves all Veteran issues in a timely and caring manner with emphasis on providing first contact resolution (FCR).
• Seeks assistance from designated Lead Technician, Clinical Pharmacist or Supervisor when responding to unusual questions or when reasonable attempts to satisfy a caller have been unsuccessful.
• Participates in continuous daily improvement and VISN VA Health Connect initiatives.
• Completes additional duties as assigned.

As a Pharmacy Technician you will work within Pharmacy Customer Care under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Contact Representative for Pharmacy Customer Care. The incumbent accepts case referrals and provides guidance and assistance to Pharmacy Customer Care Contact Representatives. The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for Tier 2 activities associated with clinical medication questions that require clinical communications with staff such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the health care team. The incumbent must perform pharmacy related clinical calculations associated with interpretation of physician instructions, quantities dispensed, day's supply, availability of refills, and related calculations to identify inaccuracies, oversights, and misinterpretations of medication information. The incumbent will answer escalated Veteran inquires involving a broad range of topics, related to medication refills, medication renewals, medication tracking, backordered medications, medication recalls, emergency refills, medications not received or on hold. The incumbent gathers, evaluates, analyzes data, and applies management and leadership principles in researching the accuracy of Veteran medication inquiries. The incumbent evaluates clinical information from patient records and provide written communication to providers using progress notes that become a permanent part of the Veterans patient record.

Work Schedule: This call center operates 24/7/365 and your shift will be anytime between Sunday through Saturday, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Hours are TBD.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Remote: This is a remote position. Selectee must reside within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center (does not include Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), Vet Clinics, etc.) in the continental U.S. or a Member Services location in the following cities: Topeka, Kansas; Canandaigua, New York; and Waco, Texas.
Functional Statement #: 06855-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

MRTs (Coder) perform the full scope of inpatient and outpatient coding duties. These coding practitioners analyze and abstract patients' health records and assign alphanumeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. MRT's possess expertise in International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). MRTs (Coder) select and assign codes from current versions of ICD CM, PCS, CPT, and HCPCS classification systems to both inpatient and outpatient records. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide coding guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency in practice and compliance with coding rules and regulations.
• Initiate, prepare, and maintain various reports, and analyze data.
• Coordinate, assign, and monitor workflow.
• Provide input for performance evaluations and hiring.
• Orient and instruct new coding personnel and/or students on coding, abstracting, and use of the electronic health record 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 materials and present a curriculum encompassing ongoing training initiatives.
• Provide assistance with coding inquiries from providers, MRTs (Coder), billers, and other facility staff.
• Select and assign codes from current versions of ICD CM, PCS, CPT, and HCPCS classification systems.
• Directly consult with the clinical staff for clarification of conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous clinical data in the health record.
• Abstract, assign, and sequence codes into encoder software to obtain correct diagnosis-related DRG, support medical necessity, resolve encoder edits, and ensure codes accurately reflect services rendered.

The Clinical Documentation specialist will provide active concurrent/retrospective review, provide feedback, and educate clinical care providers to improve the documentation of all conditions, treatments, and care plans within the health record to accurately reflect the condition of the patient and promote patient care. In addition, documentation should reflect documentation associated with MS-DRG assignment, case mix index, severity of illness, risk of mortality, physician profiling, hospital profiling, and reimbursement rules.

As a Clinical Documentation Specialist, incumbent is responsible for providing ongoing education to our providers and coding team members by conducting initial and extended-stay concurrent review on selected admissions and document findings identifying missed opportunities and clinical documentation improvements which will both enhance the quality of the health record documentation, maximize VERA and 3rd Party Collections. Incumbent identifies co-morbidities and complications and documents appropriately. Incumbent queries the medical staff and other clinical caregivers as necessary via written/verbal communication to obtain accurate and complete documentation. Provides ongoing education to physicians and other clinical care providers, related to documentation, changes in coding, compliance issues, profiling concerns, and reimbursement changes according to VA regulations and policies.
Orients and instructs new personnel and/or students from affiliated health information or medical record technology programs, at the direction of the supervisor, on unit operations, coding, abstracting, and use of an electronic medical record.
Advise and assist the Health Information Management section in the identification of training, in-services or educational needs of personnel. In addition, Clinical Documentation Specialist will present educational resources to the health information management staff and the professional staff as needed or provide goals as requested.
Works within a team environment; supports peers in meeting goals and deadlines; flexible and handles multiple tasks; works under pressure; and copes with frequently changing projects and deadlines.
Conducts re-reviews of codes abstracted for patient encounters identified by the VISN VERA Committee to determine if based on the documentation the specific VERA coding requirements were followed; corrects coding as needed to ensure proper patient classification in the VERA program.
For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Performs other related duties as assigned.


Work Schedule: Full time 7:00am to 3:30pm (Can be negotiated at time of interview)
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F 1480
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

The Clinical Documentation specialist will provide active concurrent/retrospective review, provide feedback, and educate clinical care providers to improve the documentation of all conditions, treatments, and care plans within the health record to accurately reflect the condition of the patient and promote patient care. In addition, documentation should reflect documentation associated with MS-DRG assignment, case mix index, severity of illness, risk of mortality, physician profiling, hospital profiling, and reimbursement rules.

As a Clinical Documentation Specialist, incumbent is responsible for providing ongoing education to our providers and coding team members by conducting initial and extended-stay concurrent review on selected admissions and document findings identifying missed opportunities and clinical documentation improvements which will both enhance the quality of the health record documentation, maximize VERA and 3rd Party Collections. Incumbent identifies co-morbidities and complications and documents appropriately. Incumbent queries the medical staff and other clinical caregivers as necessary via written/verbal communication to obtain accurate and complete documentation. Provides ongoing education to physicians and other clinical care providers, related to documentation, changes in coding, compliance issues, profiling concerns, and reimbursement changes according to VA regulations and policies.
Orients and instructs new personnel and/or students from affiliated health information or medical record technology programs, at the direction of the supervisor, on unit operations, coding, abstracting, and use of an electronic medical record.
Advise and assist the Health Information Management section in the identification of training, in-services or educational needs of personnel. In addition, Clinical Documentation Specialist will present educational resources to the health information management staff and the professional staff as needed or provide goals as requested.
Works within a team environment; supports peers in meeting goals and deadlines; flexible and handles multiple tasks; works under pressure; and copes with frequently changing projects and deadlines.
Conducts re-reviews of codes abstracted for patient encounters identified by the VISN VERA Committee to determine if based on the documentation the specific VERA coding requirements were followed; corrects coding as needed to ensure proper patient classification in the VERA program.
For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Performs other related duties as assigned.


Work Schedule: Full time 7:00am to 3:30pm (Can be negotiated at time of interview)
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F 1480
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Serving as facility technical payroll expert to VAMC staff and provide data, reports, guidance, and resolution to payroll issues across the VAMC.
• Independently researching, resolving, and responding to routine and occasional non-routine verbal and written pay and leave inquiries from employees, supervisors, Financial Service Center (FSC), HR, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and VA Central Office (VACO) staff.
• Determining proper application of pay and leave regulations, laws, rules and agency policies, guidelines, coding, etc. for each separate pay plan involved and appropriate leave system impacted.
• Interpreting and apply regulations and policies regarding appointment entitlements, leave earnings, charges of leave, leave w/o pay, advance sick leave and compensatory time.
• Using knowledge of varying premium pay and benefit entitlements for employee specific pay plans when implementing tours of duty regulations and/or policies to include 24-hour coverage, irregular, compressed and/or flex tours, etc.
• Performing full range of payroll actions under multiple automated systems for employees appointed under different personnel systems with each having unique pay accounts and governing regulations/policies relating to the Federal Wage System, (FWS) General Schedule (GS) title 5 including special salary rates, title 38, title 38 hybrids, law enforcement and firefighter pay, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), title 38 overtime, irregular tours of duty, etc.
• Resolving system discrepancies which may result in initiating the employee debt process or back pay.
• Updating employees' master payroll records to reflect all changes authorized by personnel documents.
• Reviewing and work unique payroll actions, questions, or situations which impact: pay; leave; entitlements; taxes; benefits; other deductions and master pay record information for all employees in the group during the pay cycle.
• Managing annual refresher training for all timekeepers and supervisors.
• Answering routine and occasional non-routine procedural questions relative to time and leave laws, regulations, procedures and resolve problems to ensure accurate and timely pay.
• Assisting in resolving issues with court orders, grievances, and/or public laws.
• Reviewing authorized documents and code appropriate data for input into integrated personnel and fiscal automated systems to properly update employee master records.
• Reviewing all personnel actions in HR Smart related to; hiring appointments; separations; reassignments; promotions; pay adjustments; awards and other authorizing documents that affect pay and benefits of employees.
• Running daily reports to ensure all facility employees' pay is correct.
• Auditing all employee type of pay and leave accounts to identify and correct delinquent and/or erroneous personnel actions or time-keeping errors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The Marion VA Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

MRT (Coding) Auditors serve as experts of current coding conventions and regulations related to professional and facility coding. The duties include but are not limited to:

• Performing audits of encounters to identify areas of non-compliance in coding.
• Providing recommendations on appropriate coding and are responsible for maintaining current knowledge of the various regulatory guidelines and requirements.
• Working with staff to ensure that regulations are met or areas of weakness are identified and reported to appropriate supervisor for corrective action.
• Performing prospective coding audits and utilizing results to identify processing inadequacies and re­educate coding staff where necessary.
• Coordinating retrospective reviews to ensure adequate auditing of coding activities.
• Acting independently to plan, organize, direct and control areas with emphasis on data validation, analysis and generation of reports associated with the Medical Center's health information management program. This includes managing the professional health information management functions such as retrieving, reviewing and abstracting health record information.
• Determining quality control measures needed; initiate and implement them by use of monitors and/or continuous review.
• Applying 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.
• Selecting and assigning codes from the current version of several coding systems to include current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
• Adhering 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.
• Applying codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria (inpatient and outpatient settings) 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.

The Marion VA Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

MRT (Coding) Auditors serve as experts of current coding conventions and regulations related to professional and facility coding. The duties include but are not limited to:

• Performing audits of encounters to identify areas of non-compliance in coding.
• Providing recommendations on appropriate coding and are responsible for maintaining current knowledge of the various regulatory guidelines and requirements.
• Working with staff to ensure that regulations are met or areas of weakness are identified and reported to appropriate supervisor for corrective action.
• Performing prospective coding audits and utilizing results to identify processing inadequacies and re­educate coding staff where necessary.
• Coordinating retrospective reviews to ensure adequate auditing of coding activities.
• Acting independently to plan, organize, direct and control areas with emphasis on data validation, analysis and generation of reports associated with the Medical Center's health information management program. This includes managing the professional health information management functions such as retrieving, reviewing and abstracting health record information.
• Determining quality control measures needed; initiate and implement them by use of monitors and/or continuous review.
• Applying 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.
• Selecting and assigning codes from the current version of several coding systems to include current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
• Adhering 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.
• Applying codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria (inpatient and outpatient settings) 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.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters (inpatient and/or outpatient) covering the full range of health care services provided by the VAMC. Patient encounters are often complicated and complex requiring extensive coding expertise. Applies advanced 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.
• Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC. Timely compliance with coding changes is crucial to the accuracy of the facility database as well as all cost recovery programs.
• 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. Insures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded.
• Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correctly code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin. Independently researches references to resolve any questionable code errors; contacts supervisor as appropriate.
• 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 and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. 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.
• Trains and works closely with professional and administrative staff to assist in the development, maintenance and usage of ICD and CPT codes to ensure accurate data capture.
• Identifies training needs of individuals based on productivity and accuracy reports, rejects from billing, and spot checks. Makes recommendations to supervisor concerning disciplinary actions due to insufficient performance and identifies continuing education needs.
• Takes the initiative in one-on-one 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.

VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans.

This position is responsible for maintaining the quality of patient records, assigning of appropriate International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes, and various other duties as assigned.

Medical Records Technician Coder (CDIS) duties include:

• CDISs serve as the liaison between health information management and clinical staff.
• Responsible for facilitating improved overall quality, education, completeness and accuracy of health record documentation through extensive interaction with clinical and coding.
• Review documentation and facilitate modifications to the health record to ensure accurate severity of illness, risk of mortality, complexity of care, and utilization of resources.
• Develop and/or update medical center policy pertaining to clinical documentation improvement.
• Obtain appropriate corrective action plans from responsible clinical service directors and recommend improvements or changes in documentation practices, when applicable.
• Applies applicable coding conventions and guidelines to identify the principal and secondary diagnoses and significant procedures in order to accurately reflect the patient's hospital course and DRG assignment in the inpatient setting and to accurately reflect medical necessity and level of service or procedure performed in the outpatient setting.
• Develops and implements active training/education programs (i.e., seminars, workshops, short courses, informational briefings, and conferences) for clinical staff to ensure the CDIS program objectives are met.

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Works collaboratively with VISN programs, services, and interdisciplinary coordinated care team members to provide access to care and meet the needs of Veterans, their family members and/or legal representatives via various available contact modalities to include but not limited to telephone calls, secure messaging, chat, text messaging, and video regarding a broad range of topics, including medication refills and renewals, basic billing inquiries, and procedural pharmacy activities.
• Routinely reviews computer medication profiles for therapeutic duplication, prescription non-compliance and allergies/drug interactions. Transfers identified patients to a Pharmacist or Supervisor for further evaluation, if needed.
• Reviews patient's medical record and medication profiles to identify situations for polypharmacy and/or abnormal lab findings. Reports identified patients to a Pharmacist.
• Processes and submits patient requests for new prescription orders and renewals (including controlled substances) into the computer accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner. Uses approved VISN VA Health Connect Pharmacy Service protocols, when appropriate, to satisfy patient medication requests.
• Consistently documents patient contact and resolution in VISN VA Health Connect software and/or the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to include, but not limited to, what was requested, what action was taken, and any other information which may be pertinent during future research. Assists in the documentation of medication variances.
• Resolves simple and informal problems and complaints regarding VISN VA Health Connect Pharmacy Services, technology platforms, and systems when production is compromised. Refers more difficult problems to the supervisor.
• Actively and diligently treats all Veterans with respect and utmost dignity. Seeks to solve Veteran's concerns at first contact. When required, refers to other VA resources to assist in the resolution process. Always resolves all Veteran issues in a timely and caring manner with emphasis on providing First Contact Resolution (FCR).
• Trains and orients VISN VA Health Connect Pharmacy Technicians.
• Discusses team assignments, projects, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames from completion.
• Proactively monitors call volume and VISN VA Health Connect Pharmacy Technician performance through Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) metrics to identify personnel that may require further development and to determine where resources are needed.