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Medical Coder - Certified - Full-time

San Joaquin General Hospital

Recruitment #1017-RO4212-01

Introduction

This examination is being given to fill full-time vacancies in the Health Information Management Department at San Joaquin General Hospital and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

 

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Completes detailed analysis of medical records for chart content and documentation requirements.

  • Assigns diagnostic codes and abstracts patient medical record information according to the International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th Edition Systems (ICD-9-CM, ICD-10)  and Current Procedure Terminology (CPT-4) Manual and coding conventions and guidelines as established by state and federal reporting requirements.

  • Completes abstracting functions of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency records.

  • Enters coded medical records data on computer terminal; selects diagnosis and operations codes from computer encoder and designated abstracting system.

  • Review medical records and verifies coding and Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MS-DRGs) assignments in response to billing requests.

  • Responds to authorized request from agencies, administration and individuals regarding coding and DRG questions.

  • Maintains a working knowledge of current guidelines and regulations affecting code assignments through continuing education sessions and approved references.

  • Assists physicians with correspondence for legal and insurance information.

  • Keep records and prepares reports and correspondence as required.

  • May serve as a lead worker; may train staff.

  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Note:  Supplemental application must be submitted with employment application.

     

    Experience: One year of experience in an acute-care hospital or health care facility with experience in medical coding or medical records.

    Certification: Possession of a current Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certificate issued by the American Health Information Management Association or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certificate issued by the American Academy of Professional Coders.

    Substitution: Current registration as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certificate may be substituted for the CCS or CPC certificate.

    KNOWLEDGE

    Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and study of disease processes; current knowledge of abstracting medical records according to current ICD classification systems and CPT-4 coding guidelines; standards and regulations pertaining to the maintenance of patient medical records; medical records coding systems; health information systems for computer application to medical records.

    ABILITY

    Review medical record information, correctly assign codes to diagnosis and procedures; utilize the ICD-9-CM or ICD-10 and CPT-4 coding guidelines to code medical record entries; abstract information from medical records in accordance with defined regulations; read medical record notes and reports; assign accurate Medicare Severity Diagnostic Related Groups; operate computers, office equipment and related software; make independent decisions in procedural matters; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, physicians, and the general public; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

    PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

    Mobility-Frequent operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting and standing for long periods, walking; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, squatting, climbing; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Decision making; concentration; occasional exposure to trauma, grief and death; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

    BENEFITS

    Part-Time Employee Benefits: Part-time employees who meet the appropriate eligibility criteria may receive health insurance benefits and step increases.

    Selection Procedures

    Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:
    • Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
       
    • Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

     Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

    Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

    Veteran’s Points:  Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service.  Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note:  A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

    Acceptable wartime service dates:

    • September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

    • June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

    • August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

    • Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

    Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for one year, but may be extended up to two additional years by the Civil Service Commission.

    Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

    • Rule of the Rank: The top three ranks will be referred for hiring interviews.  If there are less than 5 names in the top three ranks the next rank is referred.  This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
    • Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

    Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

    Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

    Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

    • They are related to the Appointing Authority or

    • The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

    Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

    Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

     

    HOW TO APPLY

    Apply Online:       

    www.sjgov.org/department/hr

    By mail or in person:  

    San Joaquin County Human Resources

    44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

    Stockton, Ca 95202                                  

     

    Office hours:               
    Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

    Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

     

    Job Line:

    For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

    When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

    San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

    Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to
    www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.




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    San Joaquin County
    Human Resources Division  Stockton, CA 95202
    E-mail | Phone: (209) 468-3370 | 8am - 5pm M-F | Powered by JobAps