Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees and all other Federal Employees. First consideration will be given to current EOVAHCS employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties Include but are no limited to:

• The incumbent serves as the Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) in a medical facility of high complexity (level 1), with responsibility for the supervision of all HIM functions.
• Incumbent is charged with full responsibility, both technical and administrative, for the daily operation of the HIM department which consists of all functions of health record activities related to medical coding, clinical documentation integrity, health record documentation analysis, transcription/speech recognition, release of information, file room, scanning and indexing, and health information exchange. Is a full assistant to the Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM).
• Provides expertise, guidance, direction, and has responsibilities relative to providing supervision, administrative support, coordination, and technical assistance in the planning, development and maintenance of an effective, comprehensive, and integrated HIM Program at this Medical Center.
• This position assists the CHIM in the planning, directing, policy making, organizing and controlling the activities of the HIM department and serves as acting CHIM in the absence of the CHIM.
• The incumbent shares responsibility with the CHIM for collecting and processing data for various reports, surveys, and research projects; for preparing reports and making recommendations for review and consideration by the Chief, Business Office and upper management concerning the immediate needs as well as the long-term goals of the HIM department; for recommending equipment and staffing needs; and for preparing and updating policies, standard operating procedures, and training guides.
• Responsible for assisting physicians and other health professionals in obtaining health record information to be used in research projects. Advises on what data is available, how it may be obtained, and the uses that can be made of the information while protecting the confidentiality of the record.
• The incumbent aids in a variety of projects and is responsible for screening, abstracting and tallying data from health records and computer-generated reports. Serves as a consultant providing guidance and advising researchers on methods for gathering health information and health record data.
• Assists in retrospective health record review/data abstraction projects to support medical center Quality Management data collection activities.
• Consistently conducts audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, ensuring accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews completed work and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy, and timeliness of work produced by each employee and provides constructive feedback. Ascertains problems encountered, develops performance improvement plans, and recommends personnel actions as necessary.
• 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. Interviews prospective employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules ensuring appropriate workload coverage. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Coordinates monthly staff meetings and prepares timely/accurate minutes.
• Is a subject matter expert on GS-0675 Medical Records Technician and GS-0669 Medical Records Administrator qualification standards and how to appropriately interpret and apply them. Provides administrative support to other HIM Supervisors/Leads by aiding in the selection, training, and evaluation of section employees. Provides technical guidance to the unit supervisors and leads while providing support to each unit in the absence of the section supervisor. Provides expertise in the area of subpoenas, court orders, advance directives, and general release of information, as well as other medico-legal issues

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 623-57265-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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. OR,
  • HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. OR,
  • Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA.

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-12

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all the KSAs described at that level. AND
• Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
  • Skill in managing various projects and processes, which includes the ability to develop new or improved solutions to complex technical problems in health information management.
  • Ability to advise management and staff on a wide range of health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statutes, laws, and regulations.
  • Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and/or advise on current health information management processes, and recommend changes in policies or procedures.
  • Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines, and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management.
  • Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).
  • 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.

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-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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.