This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Health Care Administration Service at the Alaska VA Medical Center. Medical Records Administration Specialist (MRAS) in VHA perform work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services.

Duties

RELOCATION INCENTIVE AUTHORIZED This assignment serves as the Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) in VA Medical Centers designated as complexity level 2 or 3 as designated in the VHA Facility Complexity Model Listing. Duties will include: Keeps current on emerging issues and trends in the HIM field, including process improvement initiatives for HIM, the electronic health record, coding, health record documentation analysis, transcription/speech recognition, release of information, file room/scanning programs, and health information exchange. Keeps the CHIM, management and clinical staff abreast of changing technology in electronic systems used to collect, process, code, protect and store health information. Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of work produced by each employee. Ascertains problems encountered and takes corrective action. Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations. Develops and conducts competency assessments. Responsible for carrying out established personnel functions and practices. Keeps employees informed about important aspects of personnel management programs. Formulates and initiates performance standards. Interviews prospective employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Provides administrative support to other HIM Supervisors/Leads by aiding in the selection, training and evaluation of section employees. Provides technical guidance to the various HIM unit supervisors and lead clerks while providing support of each unit in the absence of the section supervisor. Responsible for determining the need for and extent of training personnel outside HIM with regard to the health record and its format. Assists the CHIM with the development, evaluation and updating of office procedures, manuals, policies and directives. May be required to develop training materials and continuing education programs. Assistance is also provided in formal and informal service training and orientation of house staff as well as other members of the health care team regarding health record functions and quality content. Incumbent in this position provides consultation and management support to the above units to ensure smooth operation of a customer-focused, forward-thinking and efficiently managed department. In the absence of the CHIM, incumbent functions as Acting Chief of the Section and is responsible for overall management of the Sections' program and function. Incumbent aids with the overall effective administration and planning of the HIM program throughout all areas of the facility in order to give maximum support to the staff in the treatment of patients. Performs audits and analyses, preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to the CHIM, Service Line Leaders and designees. Performs documentation corrections. Problem solves improperly identified documents with clinicians, Clinical Applications Coordinators (CAC) and others who report problems. Analyzes workflow to determine potential problem areas and makes recommendations to correct these areas and improve coordination between the various units. Obtains, organizes, files, and retrieves reports, correspondence, and financial data for use in preparing status reports, briefings, and presentations. Identifies and recommends ways of eliminating, combining, simplifying, or improving procedures and processes. Establishes criteria and provides education when dealing directly with physicians, nurses and other clinical providers requesting them to complete or adjust pertinent parts of the health records, which are found to be inconsistent or incomplete upon analysis. Assist and provides guidance to supporting clinical services to capture required health information on patients for computer database input. Selects, compiles and trends medical, surgical and statistical data from numerous components of the health record. Assists the CHIM in identifying and setting short- and long-range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. Assists with planning, developing, directing and evaluating health information and other functions. Demonstrates skill in budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Available, Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency: MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Transcripts Required. 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. Transcripts Required. Certification: Persons hired or reassigned to MRA (ACHIM) position in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet the following: HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2d for a detailed definition of HIM Certification. 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. 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: Medical Records Administrator, (Assistant Chief (ACHIM)), 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. Transcripts Required AND Demonstrated Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities i. Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. ii. 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, statutes, laws, and regulations. iii. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. iv. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management. v. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor and/or advise on current HIM processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. vi. Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment). vii. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: light and moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds), both hands required, walking (2 hrs), standing (4 hrs), ability to be outside and inside, exposure to excessive cold, and slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around moving objects/vehicles, working closely with others, use of computer and mouse.

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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]