This position is located in the Health Information Management Section of the Business Office Service Line, at the VA Medical Center, Newington CT. Medical Records Administration Specialist (MRAS) in the VHA perform work concerned with the management of a health record programs or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. MRASs manage, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management.

Duties

This is considered the full performance level for a Medical Records Administration Specialist (MRA/HIM Specialist). MRAs work independently in day-to-day assignments. They perform data mining; complex data analysis; and interpret and transform data into accurate, consistent, and timely information in support of the business and operational needs of the HIM department and the organization. They present findings and recommendations to the Chief of HIM (CHIM) and facility leadership. MRAs perform workflow analyses, recommend process improvements, identify and implement best practices, and implement changes as needed to improve the productivity and quality controls of the HIM department. GS-11 Duties includes but are not limited to: Assists the Chief, Health Information Management (CHIM) and the HIM Department in identifying and setting short- and long-range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the VAMC. Provides subject matter expertise to Service Line Leaders, and medical center staff. Provides training for HIM, clinical and administrative staff on HIM topics. Keeps current on emerging issues and trends in the health information management field, including process improvement initiatives for HIM, the electronic health record, coding and computer assisted coding, the revenue cycle, release of information and privacy issues, records management, transcription and data entry, and health information exchange. Performs audits and analyses, preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to the CHIM, Service Line Leaders and medical staff. Participates in various VAMC, VISN and national committees requiring health information management subject matter expertise. May review and test HIM related VistA software patches; test and trouble-shooting VistA menu options and functional issues when HIM users report application errors; perform equipment needs analysis for new or replacement equipment and/or equipment repair; submit work orders or Remedy tickets for correction to HIM software errors. Compiles diagnostic, procedural, and statistical data, and present reports locally, regionally, or nationally. MRAs lead various health record review activities. Serves as the point of contact for health record corrections. Work Schedule:40 hours a week, Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, EST. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:689-F04013, Medical Records Administration Specialist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Note: This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. NAGE This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

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: MRA Specialists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Experience and Education: (1)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, (2) 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, (3) Experience/Education: 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. And 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. 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 Determination: GS-11- Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all of the KSAs described at that level; OR Education: Education equivalent to three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005-130, Part II, Appendix G33 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The duties of this position are primarily sedentary. May include but is not limited to: standing 2 hours per day, use of both hands, use of fingers and sitting up to 8 hours per day.

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.

Contacts

• Address West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Emily Wayne-Lane
• Phone: 781-687-2000 (6764)
• Email: [email protected]