This position serves as the Medical Records Administrator, (MRA) (Chief, Health Information Management (HIM). This position is located in the Health Information Management Section of Health Administration Service at the El Paso VA Health Care System. Medical Record Administrators (Chief HIM) are delegated full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional (MRA), technical (MRT), and other support staff in medical health information work.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English 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.] TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED (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. TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED 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 Determinations: Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions above the full performance level in the GS-0669 series in VHA must have HIM Certification through AHIMA. Information Management (HIM) Certification Higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation. 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). Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)),] GS-12 One] year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience must also be earned while having an active Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) HIM Certification with AHIMA. KSA's at the GS-11 level are as follows: Records Administration Specialist,] GS-11 Skill in [performance] and process improvement [techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. Ability to advise management and staff, at various levels, regarding health record documentation requirements and health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statues, laws, and regulations. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and 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 acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and meaningful information Records Administrator, (Assistant Chief (ACHIM)), GS-11 In addition to the Records Administration Specialist,] GS-11 Assignment above: 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 for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate Certification. Employees at this level] must [have a HIM Certification. Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)),] GS-12 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. Skill in [evaluating,] developing [and implementing] new policies [,] procedures, [and] programs. [Ability] to [provide] program [oversight, including advisory and technical expertise on a range of health information management practices and guidelines to staff at various levels. Ability to develop and conduct training on health information management programs, policies, procedures, and performance improvement activities. Ability to effectively procure and manage HIM resources (i.e. space, staffing, education, budget, etc.). [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. Customer service skills necessary to effectively communicate (written and verbal) and interact with all levels of hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and outside agencies. Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and/or complex situations. Preferred Experience: Five 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. 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. At least 5 years experience determining and evaluating compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management At least 5 years experience as a supervisor in a Health Information Management Department assigning work, completing performance evaluations, selecting staff, and recommending awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. Certification as an RHIA or RHIT through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) References: VA Handbook 5005/130 PART II APPENDIX G33 MEDICAL RECORD[S] ADMINISTRATOR/MEDICAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD Dated May 28, 2020 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Duties Continued:

• Is a key member of the Quality Improvement (QI) team, works closely with QI personnel, and is responsible for assuring that the facility is in compliance with all The Joint Commission standards regarding health information.
• Responsible for assuring that all patients have a complete, accurate, and timely record of their medical care at the facility. Also, must assure that such information is appropriately stored and readily available for the provision of medical services to the patients
• Incumbent is responsible for leading the automation of all health information systems. Working closely with Information Technology (IT) and Clinical Informatics, the incumbent must guide the automation of health record documentation, health record tracking, and physician incomplete record tracking. The incumbent also must support the information security program and manage much of the patient information database within VistA. Incumbent will work with a variety of hardware and software.
• As a resource for the institution, incumbent conducts training programs in health information management, medical terminology, health record documentation, and medico-legal matters.
• Is responsible for establishing formal affiliation with university programs in health information and precepting students from such programs. Incumbent is also responsible for coordinating health information training for medical school students and residents to achieve conformance with prescribed standards.
• Provides direct support to Regional Counsel. As necessary, incumbent will provide consultation services to members of the Counsel's staff in areas dealing with health information.
• Is also expected to actively participate at VA national and VISN levels as a resource person on health information matters.
• The CHIM at this level has the full complement of HIM supervisory responsibility including coding, file room, scanning, release of information, and transcription and which consists of a mixture of HT38 (675 and 669) and T5 positions.
• May also oversee the facility Records Manager.
• Incumbent is responsible for directing the operations of all personnel working within the Health Information program and is regularly involved in labor relations and budget management Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised.
• Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.
• Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
• Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance.
• Resolves informal complaints and grievances.
• Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
• Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters.
• Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area.
• Reviews and approves leave requests.
• Is responsible for maintenance and evaluation of health records and assuring legal requirements for care are met.
• Performs these duties as the facility expert but does not involve substantial line responsibility for establishing and implementing overall clinical policies.
• Plays a central role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities are in compliance with agency and accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• is a key member of the Quality Improvement (QI) team, works closely with QI personnel, and is responsible for assuring that the facility is in compliance with all The Joint Commission standards regarding health information.
• Responsible for assuring that all patients have a complete, accurate, and timely record of their medical care at the facility. Also, must assure that such information is appropriately stored and readily available for the provision of medical services to the patients
• Incumbent is responsible for leading the automation of all health information systems. Working closely with Information Technology (IT) and Clinical Informatics, the incumbent must guide the automation of health record documentation, health record tracking, and physician incomplete record tracking. The incumbent also must support the information security program and manage much of the patient information database within VistA. Incumbent will work with a variety of hardware and software.
• As a resource for the institution, incumbent conducts training programs in health information management, medical terminology, health record documentation, and medico-legal matters.
• Is responsible for establishing formal affiliation with university programs in health information and precepting students from such programs. Incumbent is also responsible for coordinating health information training for medical school students and residents to achieve conformance with prescribed standards.

Duties Continued in Additional Information Section:

Contacts

• Address El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]