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The Medical Records Technician (MRT) Health Information Technician (HIT) serves as technical expert in health record content, documentation requirements and is responsible for performing quantitative and qualitative reviews of health record documentation. The MRT is responsible for ensuring that all patient care data entered in VistA and/or Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) is accurate, timely, and completed. The MRT adheres to established documentation requirements as outlined by The Joint Commission regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines, as well as medical-legal requirements. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews records for adherence with CMS guidelines related to student, resident supervision and attending physician presence and documentation.
• Compiles reports to insure provider specific and service compliance.
• Maintains a control system to ensure completion of all inpatient and outpatient records in accordance with VA, The Joint Commission, CMS and other regulatory agencies standards.
• Reviews health records to ensure that all records contain sufficient information to meet medical/legal requirements, to ensure continuity of patient care, and to support education and research needs.
• Assists clinicians with completion of delinquent/incomplete health records.
• Identifies health record deficiencies, tracks deficiencies and ensures that the appropriate individual completes their deficiencies.
• Assists physicians with the completion of delinquent/incomplete health records and serves as the expert resource for clinical staff regarding requirements for complete documentation.
• Expedites the completion of the health record when the patient is transferred for care at another medical center, for legal requests, regulatory agencies review, and reimbursement purposes.

Work Schedule: TBD
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10528-F, 10529-F, 10530-F, 09082A
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

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.
• Experience and Education.

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and a general understanding of health records. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT HIT work. OR,
2. Education. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). OR,
3. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience:
   • Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management.
   • Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the U.S. Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service, under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience, provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures.

• Physical Requirements. TB/Immunization Assessment will be conducted by Employee Occupational Health Service.
• English Language Proficiency. MRTs HIT must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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 Technician (HIT), GS-4 Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements.Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-5Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4; OREducation: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree 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 technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). * You must provide a copy of your transcripts with your job application. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers.
2. Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products used in health information management positions (e.g., Microsoft Excel, electronic health records, and delinquency tracking software).
3. Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and industry standards.
4. Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties within required timeframes.
5. Ability to apply knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy to fully understand the content of a health record.

Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-6Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to navigate efficiently through the health record to locate needed information.
2. Ability to analyze health record documentation to ensure compliance with guidelines and industry standards.
3. Skill in investigating potential health record errors and making corrections, when appropriate.
4. Skill in interpreting and applying health information guidelines and using judgment to complete assignments.
5. Ability to follow up on incomplete health record documentation.

Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-7Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to judge whether health records contain sufficient information for regulatory requirements, are acceptable as legal documents, are adequate for continuity of patient care, and support education and research needs.
2. Ability to take appropriate actions if health record content is not adequate, accurate, timely, and/or reliable.
3. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with individuals or groups, to facilitate compliance with established policies and regulations.
4. Skill in using appropriate software and computer applications to analyze and record documentation trends.
5. Ability to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessment and improvement of health records.
6. Ability to work independently and utilize problem-solving techniques in the accomplishment of work.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G59, December 10, 2019The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07.Physical Demands: The work is mostly sedentary; however, some bending, stretching, walking, carrying less than 15 pounds and using a computer terminal are required. No special physical characteristics or special physical abilities are required

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.