Job Description

HOURLY RANGE: $26.57 - $34.83

NY HELPS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means NO EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST.
Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State.
While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves performing the maintenance, completion and analysis of medical records and related statistical and informational reports at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). The incumbent classifies medical data from patient records and translates diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into alpha-numeric codes. The work involves the use and understanding of medical terminology, coding systems and various legal and procedural rules and regulations. This is the entry-level position of the Medical Coding Specialist series. The work is performed under the general supervision of higher-level professional staff. Supervision is not a function of the position, but incumbents in the class may on occasion request lower-level staff to perform basic work assignments. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Performs coding of patient diagnoses and procedures by assigning applicable code sets, such as International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Evaluation and Management (E/M), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and/or Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), to the appropriate medical record; Responsible for performing coding work in an accurate manner and sequenced in accordance with applicable coding industry guidelines (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting ) and laws and regulations (as applicable: CMS-Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM), National Trauma Data Standard and New York State Department of Health or HIPAA-Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act);
• Analyzes medical records and identifies documentation for deficiencies;
• Communicates and works with appropriate personnel in obtaining additional information or clarification for completing final coding of injuries and/or charging of a medical record;
• Routes requests for medical information and other correspondence to appropriate personnel;
• Assists in compilation and preparation of statistical and informational reports;
• Assists in locating and identifying records and reports;
• Responds to requests for information by appropriate individuals;
• Stays current on relevant coding matters and diagnostic procedures;
• When assigned to Trauma Registry, performs scheduled download of trauma information to the NYS DOH, NTDS, Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) and others within specific deadlines;
• May assist in mentoring college student interns.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology associated with medical coding; good knowledge of medical terminology; good knowledge of disease process; good knowledge applicable laws, rules, regulations, accreditation standards, industry guidelines, and ECMCC policies and procedures; working knowledge of anatomy and physiology; ability to understand industry code sets and apply to medical records; ability to perform medical coding with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain working relationships with a diverse constituency; ability to utilize a variety of electronic software applications; ability to recognize inconsistencies and omissions in medical records; dependability; tact; confidentiality; sound professional judgment; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possession of an Associate’s Degree* in Medical Record Science, Health Information Technology or closely related field; or;
2. Completion of a certificate program in medical coding.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Active status as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
• Active status as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
• Possession of Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) certification as issued by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
• Possession of Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification as issued by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
• Possession of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification as issued by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment**.

**Possession of Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) certification as issued by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) at time of appointment and completion of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification within twenty-seven (27) months of initial appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment. Failure to possess and present Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification within twenty-seven (27) months shall result in removal from title.

**If appointed prior to July 2022, possession of a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification as issued by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL REQUIREMENT WHEN ASSIGNED TO TRAUMA PROGRAM:

• Completion of Trauma Registry Course and Abbreviated Injury Scale Course within thirty-six (36) months of appointment; and
• ICD-10 refresher course must be completed every five (5) years and must obtain eight (8) trauma-related continuing education credits per year.

NOTE*: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm You must pay the required evaluation fee.

NOTE 2: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.