This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Health Administration Services in the Finger Lakes VA Healthcare System. Medical Records Administrators (MRAs) in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the duties below: Serves as Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM) with full program responsibility for all facets of the Health Information Management (HIM) program and processes. Must ensure HIM program meets and/or exceeds national HIM policies, procedures, and performance metrics. Responsible for the administrative management of health records, which includes planning, managing, advising, and directing the health information 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 agency standards. Responsible for all facets of health records management for the facility 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 and facilitate performance improvement processes and legal requirements. The incumbent is a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians and is responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, and release of information. 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 CHIM at this level has the full complement of HIM supervisory responsibility including coding, record completion, file room, scanning, and release of information, which consists of a mixture of HT38 (675 and 669) and T5 positions. Will oversee the facility Records Manager. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 or Experience: (1) 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, (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 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: (1) Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. Certification: Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. In addition to meeting the requirements above, the candidate must possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/130 PART II APPENDIX G33 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath, NY 14810 US
• Name: Karl McPherson
• Phone: 518-466-6400
• Email: [email protected]