Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Business Office Service at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System VA Medical Center. Medical Records Administrators (MRAs) in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. MRAs manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health. Responsibilities This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Business Office Service at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System VA Medical Center. Medical Records Administrators (MRAs) in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. MRAs manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management. They develop policies and procedures and provide advice on the use of health records and health information management. Duties include but are not limited to: Provides technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Establishes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. Oversee development, implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. Ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards, by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. Monitors HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking. Participates in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals and controlling program activities and cost, budgeting, procurement, and property management, to achieve goals and improve processes. Monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met. Full program responsibility for all facets of the Health Information Management (HIM) program and processes. Ensures HIM program meets and/or exceed national HIM policies, procedures, and performance metrics. Responsible for the administrative management of health records, which includes planning, managing, advising, and directing the health information program in accordance with applicable Federal laws, facility by-laws, VHA policy, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other regulatory and accrediting agency standards. Creates and monitors systems to ensure accurate, timely, and complete health records, in accordance with VHA policy and TJC health information protocols. Measures ongoing intradepartmental performance by establishing priorities, collecting data, monitoring and reporting outcomes, using valid and reliable techniques to analyze trends and variation, and taking appropriate action based on findings. Responsible for all facets of health records management for the facility ensuring maintenance of complete, accurate, timely, clinically-pertinent, and readily-accessible patient health records, which contain sufficient recorded information to serve as a basis to plan patient care, support diagnoses, warrant treatment, measure outcomes, support education, research, and facilitate performance improvement processes and legal requirements. Develops policies, processes, and procedures that address all VA, Federal, regulatory, and accrediting requirements for HIM. Evaluates health records program and independently determines the nature and extent of problem areas. Develops recommendations and solutions for program improvement. Develops and implements innovative solutions to correct technical, complex problems. Clinical support role: Key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians and is responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, release of information, transcription/speech recognition, health information exchange, etc. Recommends improvements in health record documentation used to provide patient care, to optimize VERA workload, third party reimbursement and to manage resources. Full complement of HIM supervisory responsibility including coding, record completion, file room, scanning, release of information, and transcription. May oversee the facility Records Manager. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework Eligibility: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70832-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station(PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment Possess and Maintain HIM certification with AHIM. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. DEFINITIONS. (a.) Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is in health information management and is directly related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current practice. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as an MRT/MRA or related field such as medical coding, qualitative and quantitative health record analysis, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act privacy and release of information, or preparation, maintenance, and management of health records. (b.) Health Information Management (HIM) Certification. Higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. The current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). (c.) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Proficient in spoken and written English. Meet physical requirements in accordance with VA Directive 5019. Have at least one of the following experience and/or education requirements: Experience. Three years of creditable experience in the field of medical records that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of health records and health information systems demonstrating a knowledge of medical terminology, medical records procedures, medical coding, or medical, administrative, and legal requirements of health care delivery systems. Education. Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major field of study in health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information management or health information technology. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education that equals 100 percent may be used to meet basic requirements. For example, two years above high school from an accredited college or university, with 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management, plus one year and six months of creditable experience that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of health records and health information systems meets an equivalent combination. In addition to the basic requirements, the below qualification requirements must be met for the GS-13. Grade Determinations: Assignments. This assignment is the Chief Health Information Management (CHIM), which is the highest-level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program. Full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional MRAs, technical MRTs, and other support staff in health information management. Provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. The CHIM establishes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. They oversee development, implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards, by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. The CHIM monitors HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking. They participate in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals and controlling program activities and cost, budgeting, procurement, and property management, to achieve goals and improve processes. The CHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met. Experience: At least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) described at that level. The lower grade, GS-12, MRA KSAs are: Skill in managing various projects and processes, which includes the ability to develop new or improved solutions to complex technical problems in health information management. Ability to advise management and staff on a wide range of health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statutes, laws, and regulations. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and/or advise on current health information management processes, and recommend changes in policies or procedures. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines, and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management. Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment). Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties to include assignment of work, completing performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-13, must have Health Information Management (HIM) Certification. This higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of HIM certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body; however, current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). The only acceptable proof of this certification must be provided from: https://my.ahima.org/certification/credentialverification.aspx Website. Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-13, must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to staff at various levels about major program, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management. Skill in revising facility policies and] procedures to improve health information management services and to evaluate, modify, and/or adapt new methods to meet regulatory requirements. Skill in analyzing complex data, interpreting and trending results for effective management of the HIM program. Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring of HIM processes. Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities. These KSAs must be documented in your resume. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/130, Appendix G33 Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. There is walking, bending and reaching required such as for filing or locating material, and carrying items such as reports, documents, and supplies. Entering data and word processing on a personal computer may result in physical problems from the effects of repetitive motion and eyestrain. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.