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File Clerk (OA)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
El Paso VA Health Care System

Summary

The position is located within the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) at the El Paso VA Health Care System. The primary duties of this position are to maintain accessible records and provide efficient service for direct and indirect patient care by managing the receipt and scanning of health documents in a timely and accurate manner.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/05/2026 to 02/17/2026
Salary
$37,193 to - $47,334 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
El Paso, TX
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CAZM-12877879-26-MV
Control number
856644500

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Duties

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Major Duties:

This position is responsible for carrying out a variety of health information functions. The incumbent performs duties related to the receipt, intake, scanning, indexing, quality control, destruction, and transfer of health and administrative information. The
incumbent is responsible for electronically scanning various health information documents into VistA Imaging and assuring that the scanned documents are associated to the correct patient and note (unless it is an Administrative or Clinical type document)
in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). The incumbent must follow scanning procedures established by the CPRS Committee. After completing the scanning and indexing process, confirms record integrity and reviews the image quality in the VistA Imaging display. Ensures regular quality checks are carried out according to prescribed timeframes and criteria. The incumbent notifies the Supervisor when images are scanned into the wrong patient's record, are indexed incorrectly or are corrupted.

When records are received, the incumbent reviews documents for appropriate scanning criteria and ensures that all necessary health/administrative information meeting the criteria is integrated into CPRS through the PC scanning software and hardware. The
incumbent ensures prior to scanning that all paper clips, staples, tape, and loose hanging tape are removed from the documents. The incumbent scans loose filing by indexing the loose material to the appropriate Clinical or Administrative setup in VistA
Imaging to facilitate future reference. The incumbent also correctly indexes all documents imported from other devices or sources, including pdf, tiff, jpeg files, etc. in VistA Imaging.

Maintains confidentiality of all electronic records and paper components of the health record; follows appropriate procedures when mailing and destroying health information in paper or electronic format; and ensures sensitive (employee-Veteran) health records
are maintained in an extra-secure manner and available only to requestors in the scope of their official duties.

Utilizes a computer to perform a wide variety of record keeping, correspondence, and tracking operations and performs timely filing, retrieval, and clerical duties associated with the retention, maintenance, disposition, guardianship and control of health records
in both terminal digit and alphabetic filing systems. The incumbent is responsible for communicating/contacting daily, or as often as
necessary, with other administrative and clinical staff members in order to locate/obtain health records. Also introduces and explains non-VA health record documents to medical center staff and assists them in understanding how to recognize which nomenclature and indexing term to use.

Retrieves records using a combination of computer-based patient treatment history and historical record transactions to deduce locations of hard-to-find records; references VistA Imaging and patient locator cards to support Release of Information activities; and
conducts extensive searches for health records when initial searches have been unsuccessful.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:45pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: File Clerk (OA)/PD01209A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • 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)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

  • General Experience: You must have one year of general experience. Examples of general experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledgeable of multiple systems and current computer technology regarding imaging and scanning applications, knowledge of medical record file systems, procedures, record retention, and procedures relating to the transfer and other disposition of hard copy records, basic knowledge of regulations governing the release of information, knowledge of the flow of health information and the retrieval of health information both within its section and throughout outpatient facilities, and knowledge of the functions performed within the units services to determine the subject matter of diverse types of records information, correspondence, and forms for filing and scanning purposes. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years above high school. Transcripts Required. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of general experience and education beyond high school. Transcripts Required.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Clerical
  • Attention to Detail
  • Information Management
  • Computer Skills
  • Communications
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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary; however until records have been automated, work may involve considerable walking, standing and bending in the search for health records. There is lifting and carrying of bulky records and boxes, usually not to exceed 50 pounds. Pushing carts is routine for retiring records.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

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/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Teamwork


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

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