Lead Medical Records Technician (Coder)

Indian Health Service; Pawnee (OK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service's Pawnee Indian Health Center in Pawnee, Oklahoma seeks a Lead Medical Records Technician (Coder) to coordinate and perform advanced medical record functions, including coding, reimbursement, and systems operation. The role supports physicians and staff, and ensures accurate documentation for compliant billing and reporting.

The incumbent will supervise daily coding tasks, provide training to new personnel, assign ICD-10-CM codes for outpatient encounters, and work with an

Qualifications

• Specialized coding experience using ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS in medical records.
• Experience ensuring coding accuracy for outpatient documentation and billing.
• Ability to train and orient new medical record staff on coding and reimbursement.

Responsibilities

• Distributes, prioritizes, schedules and facilitates daily coding work assignments.
• Provides training and orientation to new medical record personnel on coding and reimbursement.
• Assigns ICD-10 codes for all diagnoses and procedures for outpatient visits.
• Works with computerized information systems including an electronic health record and encoding software.
• Educates clinicians on proper documentation practices to improve accuracy.

Skills

ICD-10-CM coding

CPT/HCPCS coding

medical record documentation

coding education/guidance

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) system

Encoding software

Job description

Summary

The Lead Medical Records Technician (Coder) is located at the Pawnee Indian Health Center in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Incumbent will coordinate and perform technical level work in a variety of medical record functions including coding, reimbursement and medical record systems, physician support functions, and functions of office automation hardware and software systems.

Summary

The Lead Medical Records Technician (Coder) is located at the Pawnee Indian Health Center in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Incumbent will coordinate and perform technical level work in a variety of medical record functions including coding, reimbursement and medical record systems, physician support functions, and functions of office automation hardware and software systems.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

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• Distributes, prioritizes, schedules and facilitates the daily coding work assignments to ensure completion of coding and billing deadlines.
• Provides complete training and orientation to new medical record personnel concerning coding, documentation requirements, chart assembly, analysis, reimbursement requirements, physician support procedures and other medical record issues in accordance with departmental and facility procedures and practices.
• Assigns the appropriate ICD-10 codes for all diagnoses and surgical procedures as required and documented by the provider for outpatient visits. Assures that diagnoses are sequenced appropriately.
• Works with computerized information systems including an electronic health record, encoding software, the Internet and other software applications.
• Assists and educates physicians and other clinicians in proper documentation practices, further specificity, sequencing or inclusion of diagnoses or procedures to more accurately reflect the acuity, severity and the occurrence of events.

Total Compensation Package

Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Medical Records Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-09: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. Examples of specialized experience include assigning and sequencing ICD-10-CM diagnosis, CPT procedure, and HCPCS codes for outpatient encounters; reviewing provider documentation to ensure coding accuracy, medical necessity, and appropriate Evaluation and Management (E/M) code assignment; applying official coding guidelines to support accurate medical record documentation, reimbursement, and third-party billing; identifying, researching, and correcting coding errors, irregularities, or denied/rejected claims; analyzing medical documentation for completeness and communicating coding issues with providers and other staff to obtain clarification or corrections; assisting with coding education or guidance; and supporting timely completion of coding assignments to meet billing, productivity, and compliance requirements.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Recruitment or relocation incentives in the amount $4,000 may be authorized. At least a 1 year service agreement will be required.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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• IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
• Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.