Job Description
The Long Beach VA Medical Center is hiring one Medical Records Technician (Coder In/Out) to work in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center. This is a 100% remote position, but selected candidates must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center.
The role is open to current, permanent federal employees within VHA only. As a Coder In/Out, you will provide subject matter expertise to Service Line Leaders and medical center staff. You will interpret and apply The Joint Commission standards, VA regulations, and medico-legal requirements.
Your work will involve coding outpatient encounters, ambulatory surgical cases, diagnostic studies, and inpatient discharges using ICD-CM, CPT, E&M, and MS-DRG systems. You will also ensure compliance with confidentiality regulations and VA directives.
This position is ideal for experienced medical coders who hold AHIMA or AAPC certification and want to work remotely while serving veterans. The work area offers a structured federal career with complete benefits.
Salary & Compensation
Salary: $55,882 - $72,644 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for this GS-8 Medical Records Technician (Coder In/Out) position, you must be a U.S. Citizen and meet the experience and certification requirements.
You need one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-7, plus an Apprentice/Associate or Mastery Level Certification from AHIMA or AAPC, or a Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification from AHIMA or ACDIS.
- United States Citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
- One year (52 weeks) of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).
- Must hold one of the following certifications: Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC; OR Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC; OR Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.
- Ability to analyze health records to identify all pertinent diagnoses and procedures for coding and evaluate documentation adequacy, including reading and understanding terminology, comments, and disease process/pathophysiology.
- Ability to accurately perform full scope of outpatient coding (ambulatory surgical cases, diagnostic studies, outpatient encounters) and inpatient facility coding (inpatient discharges, surgical cases, diagnostic studies, inpatient professional services).
- Skill in interpreting and adapting health information guidelines that are not completely applicable or have gaps in specificity, using judgment to complete assignments with incomplete guidelines.
- No educational substitution at the GS-08 grade level.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide subject matter expertise to Service Line Leaders and medical center staff on coding and documentation.
- Interpret and apply The Joint Commission standards, VA regulations, and medico-legal requirements.
- Apply current Federal Codes, VA policy memoranda, directives, and handbooks pertinent to health information management.
- Use ICD-CM coding principles and nomenclature, MS-DRG system, CPT and E&M rules.
- Apply medical and procedural terminology, anatomy and physiology, and regulations governing confidentiality of medical information.
- Analyze health records to identify all pertinent diagnoses and procedures for coding.
- Evaluate the adequacy of documentation, including reading and understanding the content, terminology, and disease process/pathophysiology.
- Perform full scope of outpatient coding, including ambulatory surgical cases, diagnostic studies, and outpatient encounters.
- Perform inpatient facility coding, including inpatient discharges, surgical cases, diagnostic studies, and inpatient professional services.
- Adapt health information guidelines that are not completely applicable or have gaps in specificity, using judgment to complete assignments.
Conditions & Requirements
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Acceptable REAL ID-compliant identification required (driver's licenses or state-issued IDs not REAL ID compliant cannot be used after May 7, 2025).
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment for VA Health Care Personnel.
- Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period; continued employment depends on performance and advancing the public interest.
- Must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center (remote position).
- Position may require occasional travel.
Benefits
- A career with the U.S. government provides a complete benefits package.
- Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding.
- Eligibility for benefits depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
- Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate based on years of service (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period).
- Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience (must be requested and approved prior to appointment).
- This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
- VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
How You Will Be Evaluated
- You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
- Your application, resume, CV, and supporting documentation will be verified.
- Experience includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
- VA performs pre-employment reference checks to verify information and assist hiring managers.
- After the vacancy closes, applications are reviewed for qualification and eligibility.
- A referral certificate is issued, and applicants are notified of their status by email.
- Referred applicants may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.
- All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision is made.
Required Documents
- Resume (the 2-page limit does not apply; you may upload a full resume/CV in the 'Other' document field).
- SF-50/Notification of Personnel Action (for current/former federal employees).
- Cover Letter (optional but accepted).
- DD-214/Statement of Service (for veterans claiming preference).
- Disability Letter (VA) (if applicable).
- Performance Appraisal (optional but accepted).
- Transcript (if using education to qualify; note: no educational substitution at GS-08).
- For veterans: DD-214 showing dates and character of service; if currently on active duty, submit documentation reflecting dates of service and impending separation.
- For 10-point preference: SF-15 with required proof.
- If using foreign education, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.
How to Apply
- To apply, open the official application portal and with your the official application portal/Login.gov account. Complete the full occupational questionnaire and attach your federal resume and all required documents. Submit your complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/03/2026. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and documentation are submitted before the closing date. After submission, you …
Additional Information
- This announcement is open to current, permanent federal employees within VHA only.
- The position is designated as remote; the selected candidate must live within 50 miles of a VA Medical Center.
- Remote work may be reassessed, and the individual may need to return to a VA office if required.
- Military spouses authorized to engage in remote work and spouses of U.S. Foreign Service members are categorically exempt from agency plans to return to in-person work.
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
- Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, VA prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment; exemptions for medical or religious reasons may be granted with face mask requirement.
- Agency contact: Allison Wick, Phone 2282739335, Email [email protected].
- Address: Long Beach VA Medical Center, 5901 East Seventh Street, Long Beach, CA 90822 US.
About Company
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, serving millions of veterans each year.
The Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California, is part of the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, providing complete medical, surgical, and mental health services.
This Medical Records Technician position is within the Health Information Management (HIM) section, which ensures accurate coding and documentation for patient records and reimbursement. The role supports the VA's mission to deliver high-quality care to veterans.
Working for the VA offers a stable federal career with structured pay grades, complete benefits, and the opportunity to serve those who have served the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common applicant questions about this position, eligibility and the application process.