Job Summary

The Chief, Health Information Management Section, Business Office is a Registered Health Information Administrator who is charged with full responsibility, both technical and administrative, for the daily operation of the Health Information Management Section which consists of all functions of medical record activities related to coding, analyzing, and release of information, transcription, file room and scanning programs.

Job Description

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. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Requirements: Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-13: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12*) level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. *Examples of duties at the GS-12 include, but are not limited to: 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. 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. 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: The physical requirements are typically light to sedentary. They primarily involve prolonged periods of computer work, walking, lifting light items such as files, and standard office mobility.