Job Posting
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy Job Posting closes: Open until Filled Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.
Agency Information:
South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital (SCR) is Kansas's newest state psychiatric hospital and serves adults experiencing serious mental illness throughout south-central Kansas. Located in Wichita, SCR is a 104-bed facility committed to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care in a modern, recovery-oriented environment. About the Position Who can apply: Anyone Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Regular Work Schedule: M-F Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes Search Keywords: RHIT Certified Coder
Compensation: $15.18/hour
- Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.
Employment Benefits Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage Sick & Vacation leave Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually) Fitness Centers in select locations Employee discounts with the STAR Program Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities
Position Summary:
The RHIT-Certified Coder is responsible for reviewing psychiatric and behavioral health medical records and assigning accurate diagnostic and procedural codes in accordance with official coding guidelines, applicable regulations, payer requirements, and hospital policies. This position ensures the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity of coded health information for inpatient psychiatric and behavioral health services. The coder reviews provider documentation, assigns appropriate ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, validates coding accuracy, identifies documentation discrepancies, and supports compliant billing, reporting, reimbursement, audits, and quality improvement activities. The RHIT-Certified Coder works collaboratively with Medical Records, Admissions, physicians, psychiatric providers, clinical staff, billing, utilization review, compliance, and other departments to ensure that coded information accurately reflects the services documented in the medical record. This position requires specialized health information management knowledge, demonstrated coding competency, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of confidentiality and regulatory compliance in a psychiatric hospital environment.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
- Review patient medical records to ensure accurate and complete diagnosis and procedure coding.
- Assign appropriate ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS codes as applicable to services provided.
- Ensure coding accuracy for inpatient psychiatric, behavioral health, and forensic services.
- Review physician documentation, discharge summaries, assessments, and treatment records to support appropriate code assignment.
- Identify incomplete, inconsistent, or unclear clinical documentation and initiate clarification requests when necessary.
- Maintain accurate coding records in the electronic health record (EHR) and hospital billing systems.
- Apply official coding guidelines and established documentation standards.
- Monitor coding errors and make necessary corrections in accordance with hospital procedures.
- Ensure coding assignments accurately reflect documented diagnoses, treatments, and services.
- Complete assigned coding responsibilities within established productivity and accuracy standards.
- Review coded records for completeness and accuracy before submission to billing.
- Collaborate with billing and revenue cycle departments to support timely and accurate claim submission.
- Identify coding discrepancies that may contribute to claim denials, payment delays, or reimbursement issues.
- Assist with reviewing and correcting coding-related claim denials and billing errors.
- Coordinate with physicians, nursing, utilization review, and medical records staff to resolve documentation concerns.
- Support accurate reimbursement by ensuring appropriate coding and documentation practices.
- Maintain coding productivity reports, work queues, and coding-related tracking records.
- Assist with medical record reviews and documentation requests related to audits and reimbursement.
- Communicate coding concerns and outstanding documentation issues to appropriate personnel.
- Support efficient coding workflows to minimize backlogs and improve hospital revenue cycle operations.
- Maintain compliance with HIPAA, applicable Kansas laws, federal regulations, and official coding guidelines.
- Maintain the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential and complete required continuing education.
- Stay informed of changes to ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, HCPCS, and applicable reimbursement requirements.
- Participate in coding audits, quality assurance reviews, and compliance monitoring activities.
- Identify and report coding inaccuracies, documentation concerns, and potential compliance issues.
- Maintain confidentiality and security of psychiatric, behavioral health, and forensic patient records.
- Participate in hospital training, quality improvement initiatives, and departmental meetings.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the position's qualifications and responsibilities.
Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Three years of experience in general office, clerical and administrative support work. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree or qualifying education in Health Information Management from a recognized program consistent with RHIT eligibility and credentialing requirements.
- Active RHIT credential through AHIMA, required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and medical terminology.
- Knowledge of health information management principles, documentation standards, and medical record confidentiality requirements.
- Ability to review medical records, identify reportable diagnoses, and assign codes accurately.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with electronic health records, coding applications, and standard office software.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to meet established coding accuracy, productivity, and turnaround-time expectations.
- Previous coding experience in an inpatient psychiatric hospital or behavioral health setting.
- Experience with psychiatric diagnosis coding and complex behavioral health documentation.
- Familiarity with inpatient reimbursement methodologies and applicable payer requirements.
- Experience with coding audits, documentation clarification, denial resolution, or compliance reviews.
- Familiarity with forensic psychiatric records, when applicable to the facility.
- Experience with coding-related reporting and quality improvement activities.
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
- Must be able to pass a background check prior to employment.
- The incumbent must be granted security clearance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- Must take and pass a pre-employment drug screening test.
Recruiter Contact Information KDADS - Human Resources Recruiter 503 S. Kansas Ave Topeka, KS 66603 Phone: 785-296-0463 Fax: 785-368-6688 Email: KDADS.APPLY@ks.gov
Job Application Process First Sign in or register as a New User. Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications. Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications. Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete. Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page. Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter. Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
Required Documents for this Application to be Complete Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page Transcripts DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference) Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions How to Claim Veterans Preference Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager. Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager. Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to: ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator Office of Personnel Services Docking State Office Building 915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260 Topeka, KS 66612
Equal Employment Opportunity The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job. If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.