Job Summary

The position is located within the VAMC Washington D.C., Business Office. It provides comprehensive primary and specialty services in medicine, surgery, neurology, and psychiatry using a primary care model. The position is organizationally aligned under the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) and is expected to work closely with all members of the health care team, Medical Center's administration, Site Managers Offices, Business Office and VAMC Executive Leadership.

Job Description

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: 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. OR, Education. [Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university [recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, 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.] OR, 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. Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet one of the following: Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. OR HIM Certification through AHIMA. OR Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-13 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. Example of GS-12 Experience: determining and evaluating compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. Evaluating, developing, and implementing new policies, procedures, and programs. Provide program oversight, including advisory and technical expertise on a range of health information management practices and guidelines to staff at various levels. Develop and conduct training on health information management programs, policies, procedures, and performance improvement activities. Procure and manage HIM resources (i.e., space, staffing, education, budget, etc.). 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. Communicate effectively (both written and verbal) and interact with all levels of hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and external agencies. Deal effectively with sensitive and/or complex situations. AND Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. AND Demonstrated 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. 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. This assignment is only for the CHIM in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a, 1b, and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA, "2014 Facility Complexity Level Model", with full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional MRAs, technical MRTs, and other support staff in health information management. CHIMs in this assignment provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Multi-division, integrated health care systems under the leadership of a single director are considered to be a single facility with one CHIM. A position with program responsibility over less than a single health care system does not have full program responsibility for the health information management program. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.