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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• 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 VISNensuring 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.
• Evaluates facility HIM programs and independently determines the nature and extent of problem areas. Creates recommendations and solutions for program improvement.
• Coordinates individual and group activities towards accomplishing the overall VHA and VISN goals.
• 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. Determines what environmental information is significant to the VHA and VISN and evaluates issues' impact.
• As a resource for all facilities across the VISN, incumbent conducts training programs on HIM related topics such as medical terminology, health record documentation, clinical documentation improvement, medical coding, health record scanning, ROI, medico-legal matters, etc.
• Provides direct support to Regional Counsel. As necessary, incumbent will provide consultation services to members of the Regional Counsel's staff in areas dealing with HIM. Participates at a national and VISN levels as a resource person on HIM matters.
• Provides full support to accomplish VHA Central Office HIM Program Office strategic goals and objectives. Serves on task forces, work groups, or councils as requested.
• Assists with writing practice briefs, fact sheets, standard operating procedures, and other types of guidance documents as requested. Responds to data calls and assists the HIM Program Office with obtaining responses from all facilities within the VISN. Participates in the planning and implementation of new policies, directives, and initiatives.
• Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
• Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance.
• Resolves informal complaints and grievances.
• Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
• Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters.
• Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area.
• Reviews and approves leave requests.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 4:30 pm
Telework: Not applicable, this is a remote position.
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

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

• 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.

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: Coding Certification. 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). OR,
• HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE: 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).
• Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE: Health Data Analyst Certification. 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).

NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level.

English Language Proficiency: MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GS-13 Medical Records Administrator (Chief) Grade Determinations:
Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level.

Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
i. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management.
ii. Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to staff at various levels about major program, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management.
iii. 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.
iv. Skill in analyzing complex data, interpreting and trending results for effective management of the HIM program.
v. Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring of HIM processes.
vi. Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities.

References: VA Handbook 5005/130 PART II APPENDIX G33

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.