Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Responsibilities
Oversee daily operations of the LSAH Medical Coding team to ensure timely and accurate coding.
Act as the primary contact for medical coding concerns, addressing operational and personnel issues.
Delegate tasks and support onboarding for junior coders and data entry personnel.
Code medical records using ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM and SNOMED-CT systems for research purposes.
Conduct chart reviews and quality control of medical records from various sources.
Establish quality assurance controls and monitor performance metrics for the coding team.
Collaborate with software developers to enhance the custom database and support testing.
Benefits
Opportunity to work with NASA's LSAH team, contributing to astronaut health research.
Professional development through continuing education modules to maintain certifications.
Engagement in a unique and impactful project with a focus on health data management.
Collaborative work environment with diverse professionals, including physicians and IT specialists.
Full Job Description
Job Type
Full-time
Description
We are seeking a Medical Data Coder Lead to support the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
What You'll Do
As a member of the LSAH team, you will help enhance astronaut medical records by incorporating records from outside providers into the internal medical record.
The Medical Data Coder Lead is responsible for managing the LSAH medical coding program, applying coding expertise to perform health information management and medical coding functions, and developing quality assurance procedures. This position also provides leadership oversight for the work of one additional medical coder and data entry personnel.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Oversee daily LSAH Medical Coding operations to ensure coding and data entry assignments are completed accurately, efficiently, and on time in coordination with management priorities, while ensuring personnel consistently follow established procedures and policies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for LSAH Medical Coding concerns, addressing operational, customer, and personnel issues while coordinating with management as needed.
Provide oversight of medical coder work, support onboarding activities, delegate daily tasks to one junior medical coder and part-time data entry personnel, and maintain consistent communication with team leadership regarding workload, issues, and accomplishments.
Code medical record diagnoses and procedures using ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM and SNOMED-CT coding systems for ease of retrieval for occupational surveillance and medical research purposes, using independent judgment to plan and administer the coding function for LSAH.
Perform chart review, abstraction, quality control, and data entry of medical records from paper and electronic sources and from both internal and external care providers into the JSC electronic health record (EHR) and customized database software.
Review medical records for completeness and work with medical providers to obtain missing data.
Establish and monitor quality assurance controls, including performance metrics across medical coders and data entry personnel, and escalate matters requiring additional authorization.
Evaluate LSAH coding procedures and recommend quality improvements to current processes to improve medical coding operations. Implement strategies that enhance team performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction while providing employees with necessary guidance and resources.
Work closely with software developers to maintain and enhance the custom database, including supporting testing of new versions and providing feedback on issues and improvements.
Audit generated datasets compiled from various sources against original source data.
Generate and maintain copies of documents and reports using standard computer software, including Microsoft Office products.
Maintain required certifications through applicable continuing education modules.
Maintain compliance with all applicable patient privacy and data confidentiality regulations, including but not limited to NASA Privacy regulations, the Privacy Act, and HIPAA.
Provide weekly status reports of work activities to supervisor.
Perform other tasks as directed.
What You Bring
The successful candidate will have experience working with a diverse array of medical records, electronic health records, and software, along with strong medical coding capabilities and professional coding credentials.
You will rely on your experience and judgment to plan and accomplish the coding of a wide variety of medical records so that data can be reused by epidemiologists and researchers to better understand astronaut health. You will also have experience overseeing the work of others and delegating tasks as needed.
Requirements
Required Experience
Certified Professional Coder (CPC or CPC-A) or Certified Outpatient Coder (COC or COC-A).
Experience using an Electronic Health/Medical Record in a clinical setting (not billing only).
Three to five years of experience performing medical coding of patient medical data and/or medical records management.
Strong command of ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, and CPT coding systems, with the ability to learn the SNOMED Coding System if not already known.
Demonstrated ability to decipher an array of medical record documents and work with them efficiently and accurately.
Extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and abbreviations, and pharmaceutical names and uses.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all medical and personal information to which access has been granted.
Ability to work effectively in a professional environment, both independently and with teams that may include physicians, allied health staff, information technology specialists, and management.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, EMR software, and associated programs.
Superior written and interpersonal communication skills.
Highly developed organizational and decision-making skills.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Desired Skills
Experience or familiarity with coding assistance software.
Demonstrated workflow management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks with minimal oversight.
