This position is in the VISN 1 Office reporting directly to the VISN 1 Business Implementation Manager. Incumbent may serve as the primary or alternate, to another VISN position. Duties should not take more than 20% of total time. Location negotiable: Incumbent must reside within 1 hour of commuting to a VISN 1 location for one of the following locations: Augusta, ME; Manchester, NH; White River Junction, VT; Northampton, MA; Bedford, MA; Boston, MA; Providence, RI; West Haven, CT.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Functions as the VISN Health Information Management (HIM) Manager. Collaborates with all facilities within the VISN to identify HIM program strengths and weaknesses, to determine corrective actions for remediation when applicable, and to identify potential best practices for implementation at all facilities within the VISN. Responsible for coordination and oversight of all HIM activities across the VISN, which includes planning, managing, advising, and directing the HIM 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 agencies requirements. Initiates, develops, oversees and directs HIM program areas and produces work products such as written policies and procedures, guidelines, references, and training. Has program oversight responsibility for all HIM functional areas such as Coding, Clinical Documentation Improvement, Health Records Processing and Completion, Document Scanning, File Room, Release of Information, Speech Recognition, and Medical Transcription. Represents HIM on a wide variety of groups, committees and task forces, which requires a thorough understanding of HIM policies, requirements, and business needs ensuring those needs are adequately articulated and included in any policy or process development. Acts as HIM subject matter expert and advisor to various customers, agencies, programs, and offices within and external to the VISN. Measures ongoing facility HIM 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 HIM for the VISN 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. Produces policies, processes, and procedures that address all VA/VHA, Federal, regulatory, and accrediting requirements for HIM. Responds to requests for information and data calls in a timely manner. Evaluates facility HIM programs and independently determines the nature and extent of problem areas. Develops and implements innovative solutions to correct technical, complex problems. Provides detailed technical expertise in health records science and other very technical aspects of HIM. Develops standardized VISN-wide policies, procedures, and guidelines for all HIM programs to include records analysis, coding, health record filing/scanning, incomplete records/physician liaison, data validation, health records clinical documentation improvement processes, medical transcription/speech recognition, records management programs, and other health information programs and projects. Coordinates individual and group activities towards accomplishing the overall VHA and VISN goals. Manages activities with the needs of various VHA strategic groups and stakeholders in mind. Provides subject matter expertise, advice, assistance, and guidance in response to questions posed by VISN Leaders and other staff on HIM policy and program needs/issues at the local, VISN and national levels. Performs external environmental analysis by obtaining and assessing the external health care community for information about EHR trends, advances and emerging issues that will affect the VHA. Responsible for evaluation of HIM and health records programs, assuring legal requirements for care are met. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:May Be Authorized by Supervisor Telework: May Be Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 479-F06859 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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. 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 and/or Experience: The individual must meet one of the criteria below to meet this requirement: (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) 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) 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. Medical Records Administrators must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Health 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) Grade Determinations: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level AND, Certification: HIM Certification through AHIMA. Current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). GS-12 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 GS-13 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. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have experience with Privacy & Freedom of Information Act Programs. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G33 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VISN 1 VA New England Healthcare System 200 Springs Rd Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: Thomas Whiddon
• Email: [email protected]