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 exceed national HIM policies, procedures, and performance metrics. Responsible for the administrative management of health records. Creates and monitors systems to ensure accurate, timely, and complete health records. Measures ongoing intradepartmental performance.

Duties

Clinical Support Role Responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, release of information, transcription/speech recognition, health information exchange, etc. Recommends improvements in health record documentation used to provide patient care, to optimize VERA workload, third party reimbursement and to manage resources. Completes internal quality assurance reviews. Serves to guide and assist on research projects and is a resource for patient data on both patient-specific and aggregate databases. Key member of the Quality Improvement (QI) team, works closely with QI personnel, and is responsible for assuring that the facility is compliant. Responsible for assuring that all patients have a complete, accurate, and timely record. Responsible for leading the automation of all health information systems. Provides direct support to Regional Counsel. Actively participates at VA national and VISN levels as a resource person on health information matters. Participates in facility or VISN research activities related to health information and electronic health record (EHR) issues. Supervisory responsibility including coding, record completion, file room, scanning, release of information, and transcription. May also oversee the facility Records Manager. Responsible for directing the operations of all personnel working within the HIM program and is regularly involved in labor relations and budget management. Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff. Responsible for maintenance and evaluation of health records and assuring legal requirements for care are met. Plays a central role in developing and coordinating internal review systems. Administration and Strategic Planning Operational responsibility to set and carry out the strategic direction, mission, and vision for VAPSHCS' Health Information Management Services. Assists the Service Line Director in identifying and setting short- and long-range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of PSHCS. Collaborates with various medical center staff and VA/VHA components to create and/or revise medical center policies, clinical bulletins, procedures, training guide and other required references at various levels. Develops internal review systems and standards within HIMS to assure that health information and medical record activities are coordinated with clinical service needs and in compliance with established standards. Contract Management Administers the Transcription and Coding Contract(s); prepares and monitors budget for contract. Ensures quality controls are in place for any scope of work conducted by contractors. Auditing and Training Develops and coordinates training programs in various areas health information management. Responsible for establishing formal affiliation with university programs in health information and precepting students from such programs. Responsible for coordinating health information training for medical school students and residents to achieve conformance with prescribed standards. Ensures accurate coding for all inpatient discharges and billable encounters. Conducts regular audits and coordinates ongoing monitoring of coding accuracy and documentation adequacy. Oversees and/or provides feedback and focused educational programs on the results of auditing and monitoring activities. Reviews claim denials and rejections pertaining to coding and medical necessity issues, and, when necessary, implements corrective action, plan, such as educational programs, to prevent similar denials and rejections from recurring. Recommends improvements in health record documentation used. Reports noncompliance issues detected through auditing and monitoring, and nature of corrective action plans implemented in response to identified problems, and results of follow-up audits to Puget Sound's Compliance Officer. Personnel Management Responsible for overall personnel management. Supervises assigned staff. Promotes personal and professional development of all staff members. Community Service Develops and maintains affiliation agreements with AHIMA recognized schools and programs for health information management and technology. Provides internship and directed student learning opportunities for HIM students and newly graduated professionals. Serves on state and local professional health information Boards, Committees, Task Forces, etc. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Yes, as aligned by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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. 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. NOTE: Mastery certification obtained through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). To be acceptable for qualification, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation. Stand-alone specialty certifications do not meet the definition of mastery level coding certification and are not acceptable for qualifications. Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of mastery level coding certification may be added/removed by the above certifying bodies; however, current mastery level coding certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) - Physician-based (CCS-P), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC). HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE: 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). Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE: This is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must certify mastery in health data analysis. Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of health data analyst certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body; however, current health data analyst certification includes Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). Loss of Credential: Following initial certification, credentials must be maintained through rigorous continuing education, ensuring the highest level of competency for employers and patients. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies, if a placement opportunity exists. English Language Proficiency: MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-13 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. AND Certification: Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. In addition to the experience and certification above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Assignments: This assignment is the Chief Health Information Management (CHIM), which is the highest-level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program. This assignment is only for the CHIM in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a, 1b, and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA, "2014 Facility Complexity Level Model", with full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional MRAs, technical MRTs, and other support staff in health information management. CHIMs in this assignment provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Multi-division, integrated health care systems under the leadership of a single director are considered to be a single facility with one CHIM. A position with program responsibility over less than a single health care system does not have full program responsibility for the health information management program. The CHIM establishes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. They oversee development, implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards, by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED BELOW IN EDUCATION SECTION

Education

QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED

The CHIM monitors HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking. They participate in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals and controlling program activities and cost, budgeting, procurement, and property management, to achieve goals and improve processes. The CHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met.

References: VA Handbook 5005/130 Part II Appendix G33

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: This work requires light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, and ability to see to read materials.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Rebecca Hanson
• Phone: 509-434-7320
• Email: [email protected]