Medical Records Technician (Coder)

Indian Health Service; Lawton (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indian Health Service is seeking a Medical Records Technician to support clinical documentation, coding, and records management in federal healthcare facilities. You will review, document, and code encounters to ensure accurate billing and compliant reporting.

Responsibilities include verifying diagnoses, CPT/ICD coding, and supporting quality measures, while adhering to privacy rules and agency guidelines.

Qualifications

• Resume must demonstrate specialized experience in medical coding and records management.
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is preferred.
• Ability to ensure accuracy, privacy compliance, and coding integrity.

Responsibilities

• Reviews medical records for completeness, including identifiers, signatures, dates, and reports.
• Evaluates documentation for accuracy, medical necessity, and modifier usage; verifies final diagnoses reflect care.
• Reviews provider documentation to ensure correct E/M levels and CPT code assignment.
• Assigns and sequences ICD, CPT, HCPCS, CDT, and DSM codes based on documentation.
• Ensures terminology aligns with official coding guidelines.

Skills

Medical records coding

ICD CPT HCPCS knowledge

Attention to detail

Job description

Summary

Join the Indian Health Service and make a meaningful impact in Native communities. In this role, you will support vital healthcare operations that ensure patients receive timely, high-quality care. If you're looking for a rewarding career where your work directly supports patient services and community well-being, we encourage you to apply.

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

Duties

Total Compensation Package

Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Medical Records Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Reviews medical records for completeness, including required identifiers, signatures, dates, and reports associated with services rendered.
• Evaluates documentation for accuracy, consistency, medical necessity, and appropriate modifier usage; verifies that final diagnoses accurately reflect care provided.
• Reviews provider documentation to ensure appropriate Evaluation and Management (E/M) levels and correct CPT code assignment.
• Assigns and sequences ICD, CPT, HCPCS, CDT, and DSM codes based on documented diagnoses and procedures.
• Ensures diagnostic and procedural terminology aligns with current medical nomenclature and official coding guidelines.

Requirements

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 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. 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-07: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 grade level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks below:

• Verified documentation supported diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and services rendered while maintaining compliance with coding standards, privacy regulations, and organizational policies.
• Initiated and monitored documentation clarification requests to obtain diagnosis specificity, procedure details, and supporting clinical information necessary for accurate coding and reporting.
• Assisted providers and clinical staff by providing guidance on documentation requirements, coding guidelines, and common deficiencies affecting reimbursement and quality measures.
• Participated in coding reviews, compliance audits, and performance improvement activities to evaluate documentation quality, coding accuracy, and reimbursement outcomes.
• Assisted with analysis of coding trends, denial patterns, and documentation issues and recommended process improvements to improve efficiency and coding accuracy.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) preferred.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

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)

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 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.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

This position may be covered by a Bargaining Unit.

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.

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.

Review our benefits

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.