Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. 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:

• Processes all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE).
• Evaluates validity of each request.
• Determines which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws, such as the Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Inputs all requests into the ROI computer software for logging and tracking of these requests.
• Receives and directs callers and visitors.
• Receives and/or gives out forms and assists visitors and/or callers with the completion of forms or documents.
• Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data.
• Reviews paper and electronic health records (i.e., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to
• electronic media and released.
• Composes detailed explanations in response to correspondence received, arranging information into logical sequence and appropriate format, and choosing appropriate words and expressions to convey the desired tone.
• Resolves conflicting or inconsistent information found on initial requests.???????
• Processes Social Security requests for health information using ROI software.
• Completes and processes routine releases of information to other VA and Federal Agencies and when requested, to patients and their families, insurance representatives, physicians, hospitals, and city and state health agencies according to VA directives.
• Accurately enters all requests into the ROI software with necessary information for each request for health information.
• Completes necessary transactions for deposit of money collected from subpoenas, legal fees, and processing fees for release of information to individuals and insurance companies.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-4; 10068F | GS-5; 10069F | GS-6; 10070F
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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 may/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:
English: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Experience: One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and 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 (ROI) work.
-OR-
Education: An associate 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 and physiology, legal aspects of health care and introduction to health records). Transcripts Required.
-OR-
Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following education/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information of and the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses. (b) 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 of medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the 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. Transcripts Required.

GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of creditable experience and/or education required to qualify for this position at the GS-4 through GS-6 grade level.

GS-4 Entry Level: None beyond the basic requirements above.

GS-5 Level Experience or Education: At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) or 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).

In addition, applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(1) Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, release of information systems, etc.);
(2) Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information;
(3) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues;
(4) knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information;
(5) Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport. Transcripts required if qualifying based on Education.

GS-6 Level Experience: At least one full year of creditable experience as an MRT (ROI) to the next lower level (GS-5) which demonstrates the KSAs related to the duties of the position to be filled. Creditable experience must demonstrate skill in applying, interpreting, and analyzing laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information; educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information; receiving and validating authorization forms and request; using various computer applications to track and release authorized ROI requests initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(1) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 38 U.S.C. 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records);
(2) Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information;
(3) Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information;
(4) Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner.

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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability.

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.

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