Lead Medical Coding Technician

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Lead a team of medical coders for the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.

• Manage a coding workload in either inpatient or outpatient specialties.

• Oversee daily operations, allocate tasks, and balance team workloads.

• Monitor work queues and backlogs effectively.

• Report staffing shortages, performance issues, and employee matters to the Supervisor/Project Lead.

• Act as the team's technical expert by addressing coding inquiries and interpreting official guidelines.

• Assist in resolving complex or ambiguous coding cases.

• Support the team in achieving a minimum accuracy rate of 95% in ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT/HCPCS, and E/M coding.

• Ensure that initial coding is finalized within 5 calendar days of assignment.

• Promote daily productivity objectives for each coder.

• Conduct internal quality reviews of coded records.

• Monitor coder error patterns and provide individual feedback and refresher training.

• Aid in resolving claim edits, coding-related denials, and outstanding or uncoded encounters.

• Guide coders through the VHA Provider Query Process and ensure open queries are closed within 30 days.

• Compile quality, productivity, and training data for monthly reports and corrective action plans.

• Participate in meetings with the VA COR and HIM staff as needed.

• Address coding issues within a 48-hour response time.

• Assist in onboarding and training new coders.

• Revise training materials as necessary.

• Perform coding tasks using Oracle Health with the Solventum CRS encoder.

⛳️ Requirements

• Must hold an active credential: RHIT, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, or CPC; credentials must be current at the time of hiring.

• AHIMA credential holders should have completed the necessary ICD-10-CM/PCS baseline continuing education units (CEUs).

• AAPC credential holders must have successfully passed the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment.

• Minimum of 2 years of continuous coding experience at a VA medical center of similar size and complexity (level 1A) or at an equivalent large tertiary or teaching hospital.

• Must fulfill all qualifications of the Coder roles.

• Expertise in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRGs, CPT, HCPCS, and E/M coding across inpatient, outpatient, professional, and surgical settings.

• Familiarity with Oracle Health (Cerner) coding workflows.

• Formal education in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and reimbursement methodologies.

• U.S. citizenship is required.

• Strong proficiency in written and spoken English.

• Capability to pass a VA background investigation (NACI).

• Required to complete VA Privacy and Information Security training.

• Preferred: prior experience leading a coding team.

• Preferred: knowledge of VistA, CPRS, and VIRR.

• Preferred: experience with Solventum (3M) CRS encoder and 360 Encompass.

• Preferred: inpatient CCS credential with experience in DRG validation or auditing.

• Ability to sit for extended periods and utilize a computer keyboard and mouse.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• May occasionally need to stand, walk, bend, or lift items weighing up to 15 pounds.

🏝️ Benefits

• Full-time W2 contract employment.

• Monday–Friday schedule within the facility’s Eastern coverage hours.

• Remote work available for U.S.-based employees via a secure VA VPN connection.

• Reasonable accommodations provided for individuals with disabilities.

• Commitment to equal opportunity employment.

• Veterans, Reserve and National Guard members, as well as transitioning active-duty service members, are strongly encouraged to apply.