Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Experience and Education: (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 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)
• Certification: Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have one of the following: (1) Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC
• (2) Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC
• (3) Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS
• NOTE: Mastery level certification is required for all positions above the journey level
• however, for clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, a clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for a mastery level certification
• Grade Determinations: Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor GS-09: (a) Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey grade level (GS-08) of a MRT (Coder)
• (b) Certification: Mastery level certification through AHIMA or AAPC
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (must be clearly demonstrated in your resume): Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems such as ICD, CPT, and HCPCS for the subspecialty being assigned (outpatient, inpatient, outpatient and inpatient combined)
• Ability to research and solve complex questions related to coding conventions and guidelines in an accurate and timely manner
• Ability to review coded data and supporting documentation to identify adherence to applicable standards, coding conventions and guidelines, and documentation requirements
• Ability to format and present audit results, identify trends, and provide guidance to improve accuracy
• Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with individuals at all organizational levels
• Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.