Medical Records Technician (Inpatient Coder)

Indian Health Service • Shiprock, NM

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Indian Health Service (IHS), Shiprock Service Unit, Medical Records, in Shiprock, New Mexico. The Medical Records Technician performs accurate inpatient and specialty medical coding in accordance with official guidelines. The work supports compliant billing, quality reporting, reimbursement, documentation accuracy, and data integrity through coding reviews and analysis.

The role includes reviewing inpatient records for completeness, accuracy, medical necessity, appropriate modifiers, evaluation and management levels, and correct diagnostic and procedural code assignment. The incumbent ensures diagnoses and procedures are documented and sequenced accurately to support diagnosis-related group assignment, billing, reimbursement, and quality reporting. The technician conducts quality reviews, identifies documentation deficiencies, initiates provider clarifications, and provides coding and documentation feedback and education. The position also involves analyzing coding trends, preparing Case Mix Index reports, assisting with audits, and supporting accurate reimbursement.

The incumbent must obtain and maintain applicable coding certification within two years of appointment, complete required continuing education, and provide annual verification of certification. The work environment is a patient care setting with potential exposure to communicable diseases, and includes working with office machines and computers. On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower Federal grade level, obtained in the public or private sector.
• For GS-08 qualification, experience performing inpatient medical coding and auditing; interpreting extensive clinical documentation; determining diagnoses, procedures, medical necessity, and code assignment; independently resolving coding and documentation discrepancies; initiating and tracking provider clarification requests; conducting comprehensive quality assurance reviews and compliance audits; analyzing coding, billing, and reimbursement data; and providing technical guidance and education on documentation, coding, and regulatory standards.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selectees must pass applicable employment verification and federal background investigation requirements; the position also includes a financial suitability review.
• Applicants must present two valid forms of identification before appointment. Any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• The incumbent must obtain and maintain applicable certification within two years of appointment, complete required continuing education, and provide annual verification of certification.
• Merit Promotion candidates in the competitive service must meet time-in-grade requirements; these provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Direct deposit is required.
• A service agreement of at least six months is required if recruitment or relocation incentives are authorized.

Nice To Haves

• AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification.
• AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-Based (CCS-P) certification.
• AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform inpatient medical coding and auditing.
• Review records for completeness, accuracy, medical necessity, appropriate modifiers, evaluation and management levels, and correct diagnostic and procedural code assignment.
• Ensure diagnoses and procedures are documented and sequenced accurately to support diagnosis-related group assignment, billing, reimbursement, and quality reporting.
• Conduct quality reviews and compliance audits; identify documentation deficiencies and coding discrepancies.
• Initiate, coordinate, and track provider clarification requests.
• Provide coding and documentation feedback, technical guidance, and education to providers and staff.
• Analyze coding trends and coding, billing, and reimbursement data to identify trends and systemic deficiencies.
• Prepare Case Mix Index reports.
• Assist with audits and support accurate reimbursement.
• Obtain and maintain applicable certification within two years of appointment, complete required continuing education, and provide annual certification verification.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual based on years of Federal service, at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period.
• IHS may offer newly appointed Federal employees credit for directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Total compensation package information is available through IHS.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed