L&I Medical Program Specialist 2 (Coding Unit Lead)

Full Job Description

Job Highlights

Are you ready to be an expert resource to lead and train others utilizing your experience in medical and occupational federal coding?

Do you want to use your skills in research, analysis, and project management to implement quality improvement and cost savings initiatives?

Do you want to be a part of a professional team with high work ethic? If your answer is yes, now is your chance!

Consider joining our team as the next Medical Program Specialist 2 in our Claims Administration Coding Unit and apply today.

The individual in this position is the leading professional training and coding expert.

You will be responsible for educating and developing a team of coders specializing in International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) codes.

In this position you will conduct in-depth reviews of medical and occupational coding issues, lead auditing, educational outreach and multidivisional quality improvement projects involving internal and external customers on ICD and OIICS coding topics.

The work of this position directly supports the agencies goals of Making it Easy to do Business and Engage with the Department and Help Workers Heal and Return to Work.

Why Work for us:

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's workers.

We help employers meet safety and health standards and inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards.

As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness.

Our rules and enforcement programs help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound business practices.

Insurance Services is the largest division within the agency and administers one of the premier workers’ compensation organizations in the nation serving over 3.8 million employees working for 260,000 employers.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and coach others.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in written format, complex information to various audiences in a way that is easy to understand.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to authentically listen and connect with others to build rapport and maintain internal and external customer satisfaction.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office applications with specific expertise in Excel and PowerPoint to create and deliver presentations.
• Project management skills to ensure work progresses toward the achievement of goals and objectives.
• Ability to prioritize and effectively organize assignments to produce work products that are accurate, thorough and on time.

Requirements

Some of what you will do:

• Monitor unit work to determine training needs and provide technical assistance on all aspects of coding, medical terminology and interpreting of policies and procedures.
• Develop and deliver training to unit staff.
• Provide quality assurance reviews on unit work and ensure operational measures are met.
• Coach and mentor staff to improve quality and timelines of diagnosis and occupational coding.
• Provide direct support and coverage for unit supervisor and keep them informed of unit and individual progress.
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to make recommendations to improve processes.
• Lead cross program work groups of staff in the review, analysis, and monitoring of ICD, OIICS, and SOC coding.
• Conduct in-depth review of medical and occupational coding issues. Gather data and identify trends then create new policies and provide guidance.
• Develop and implement focused communication strategies and materials for L&I management and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct presentations and briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
• And much more!

Qualifications

Required:

• One-year of experience as a Medical Program Specialist 1.

OR

• A Master’s degree with major study in public health, public administration, nursing, health administration, economics, business administration, or closely allied field.

AND

• Two (2) years of lead, supervisory or consultative experience in a health services program, medical coding, medical billing, or medical policy making, fee schedule creation with an emphasis on diagnosis coding and analysis, research, program coordination, or project management in a health care, medical insurance, social services, or workers’ compensation setting.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree with major study in public health, public administration, nursing, health administration, economics, business administration, or closely allied field.

AND

Four (4) years of experience in a health services program, medical coding, medical billing, or medical policy making, fee schedule creation with an emphasis on diagnosis coding and analysis, research, program coordination, or project management in a health care, medical insurance, social services, or workers’ compensation setting.

Two of these years must be as a lead, supervisor or consultative (can be concurrent).

OR

• An Associate’s degree

AND

Six (6) years of experience in a health services program, medical coding, medical billing, or medical policy making, fee schedule creation with an emphasis on diagnosis coding and analysis, research, program coordination, or project management in a health care, medical insurance, social services, or workers’ compensation setting.

Two of these years must be as a lead, supervisor or consultative (can be concurrent).

OR

Any combination of relevant experience to total eight (8) years in a health services program, medical coding, medical billing, or medical policy making, fee schedule creation with an emphasis on diagnosis coding and analysis, research, program coordination, or project management in a health care, medical insurance, social services, or workers’ compensation setting.

Two of these years must be as a lead, supervisor or consultative (can be concurrent).

For positions leading or supervising staff performing medical coding work, A Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification, or equivalent, may be required.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  
  
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Desired:

• Experience in Project Management.
• Experience delivering training and coaching to others.
• Experience creating and delivering presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Experience creating formulas, making calculations and analyzing data using Microsoft Excel.

Additional Information

Things You Need To Know

At L&I, your voice matters. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Watch this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

L&I provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including paid leave, tuition reimbursement, Infants at Work Program and a generous retirement package for qualified employees at the end of their career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

We value our employees and their work-life balance. We support a hybrid work model and offer flexible custom work schedules.

This position is eligible for a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 9/80’s, 5/8’s, etc.) upon approval by management.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

For this position, you will be allowed to telework up to full time with the expectation of attending in-person meetings and training upon business needs. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position.

Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Your application may be considered incomplete without these attachments.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please Note: Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted by email to schedule a skills assessment. Skills assessments as well as interviews are conducted in person and take place at our office in Tumwater, WA.

Please do not attach or place any medical information within the application, resume, or cover letter.

If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history records will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

• Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted to complete a skills assessment prior to the interview. Skill assessments and interviews are conducted in-person in our Tumwater, WA headquarters office.
• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9.

The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.

• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge.

It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.

Persons with a disability who need an accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700.

TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Angela Laramie at hrbtu@lni.wa.gov.