Medical Records Technician (Coder)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.

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

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.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• GS-07: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 grade level: 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.

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 Competency-Based 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:

1. 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?
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?