The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan is recruiting for a Medical Records Technician (MRT) (Coder-Outpatient) that will function in the Health Information Management (HIM) service. MRTs (Coder) are skilled in classifying medical data from patient health records in the hospital setting, and/or physician-based settings, such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics and specialty centers.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters covering the full range of health care services provided by the VA Medical Center (VAMC).
Applies advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, disease processes, treatment modalities, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures as well as the principles and practices of health services and the organizational structure to ensure proper code selection.
Selects and assigns codes from the current version of serval coding systems to include current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Adheres to coding practices, guidelines and conventions when choosing the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or Evaluation and Management code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding.
Applies codes based on guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and recourse needs. Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the VAMC.
Performs a comprehensive review of patient health record to abstract medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data to ensure completed data capture. Assists facility staff with documentation requirements to completely and accurately reflect the patient care provided. Provides technical support in the areas of regulations and policy, coding requirements, resident supervision, reimbursement, workload, accepted nomenclature, and proper sequencing.
Reports incorrect documentation or codes in the electronic patient health record. Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correct code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin. This position is also open to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees and current, permanent employees of other Federal Agencies with announcement number CBSR-13065593-26-CB.
Please ensure you are applying to the correct announcement based on your area of consideration. Please note that due to bargaining-unit agreements, agency employees must be considered before external candidates. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. EST. This position requires the candidate to work in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and maintain a standard business day schedule. All work, meetings, and collaboration must be conducted during these hours.
Candidates must be available to respond to work-related communications and participate in scheduled activities within this time frame. Additional work schedules may become available at a future date. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Telework: This position is designated as remote. Remote work is defined as full-time employment conducted outside of a VA facility or in VA-leased spaces.
The option for remote work will be assessed continuously, and the selected individual may need to return to a VA office if required. Applicants must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center as they may be subject to the RTO order. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91153A, 91154A, 91155A, 91156A, and 91157A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized VA Healthcare System advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Medical Records Technician (Coder-Outpatient), GS-8 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to analyze the health record to identify all pertinent diagnoses and procedures for coding and to evaluate the adequacy of the documentation.
This includes the ability to read and understand the content of the health record, the terminology, the significance of the findings, and the disease process/pathophysiology of the patient. Ability to accurately perform the full scope of outpatient coding, including ambulatory surgical cases, diagnostic studies and procedures, and outpatient encounters, and/or inpatient professional fee services coding.
Skill in interpreting and adapting health information guidelines that are not completely applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity, and the ability to use judgment in completing assignments using incomplete or inadequate guidelines. 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-8.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8.
Physical Requirements: Light Lifting under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers' both hands required; walking .5 hours per day; standing .5 hours per day; specific visual requirements - 20/20 vision required for both eyes; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing ( aid permitted). Environmental Factors - dust, working closely with others and working alone.
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Transcripts must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts.
A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process.
Transcripts must include the following information: Your Name Name of the college or university Full address of the college or university Degree Received Date Conferred To meet qualification requirements, your resume should clearly identity the following information for each applicable degree: Name of the college or university Degree earned and the field of study Date the degree was conferred (month and year) Please ensure this information is included directly on your resume so your education can be properly evacuated during the qualification review.
cassandra.barlow@va.gov · 216-408-9680
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $36409 – $72664/yr.
Yes, this position is fully remote.
Applications close on 2026-09-28.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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