Medical Records Administrator Assistant Chief (HIMS)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Business Office at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS). Medical Records Administrators in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. MRAs manage, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records health information management.
Major duties
Duties of the Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) include but not limited too: The Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a, 1b, and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA Facility Complexity Level Model. The ACHIM assists the Chief HIM (CHIM) in establishing policies, responsibilities, and requirements for health information management (HIM) related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation [integrity], records management, release of information, file room/scanning, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans' health records. They assist the CHIM in identifying and setting short-range and long-range goals, program objectives, and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. The ACHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure the program objectives are met. The ACHIM assists with planning, developing, directing, and evaluating health information and other functions. They oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. They establish, implement, and monitor HIM performance through metrics, productivity measures, benchmarking, and other applicable tools. The ACHIM ensures quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department. 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 coding, health record documentation analysis, transcription/speech recognition, release of information, file room/scanning programs, and health information exchange. Is a full assistant to the Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM). Provides expertise, guidance and 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 this department and serves as acting CHIM in the absence of the CHIM. 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. Assists the CHIM in identifying and setting short and long range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. Assists with planning, developing, directing and evaluating health information and other functions. Demonstrates skill in budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management. In the absence of the CHIM, incumbent functions as Acting Chief of HIM, and is responsible for the overall management of the Section's program and function. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20278F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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. 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: (1) Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. ****NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Grade Determinations: Medical Records Administrator Assistant Chief (ACHIM), GS-12 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates all the KSAs described at that level. GS-11 Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities: Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. Ability to advise management and staff at various levels regarding health record documentation requirements and health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statutes, laws, and regulations. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and 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 plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor and/or advise on current HIM processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).vii. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, to include assignment of work, completing performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. AND Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. Current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). A copy of the certificate must be uploaded with the application. AND GS-12 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. Assignments. This assignment serves as the Assistant Chief in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a, 1b, and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA, "2014 Facility Complexity Level Model". The ACHIM assists the CHIM in establishing policies, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, records management, release of information, file room/scanning, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans' health records. They assist the CHIM in identifying and setting short-range and long-range goals, program objectives, and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. The ACHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure the program objectives are met. The ACHIM assists with planning, developing, directing, and evaluating health information and other functions. They oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. They establish, implement, and monitor HIM performance through metrics, productivity measures, benchmarking, and other applicable tools. The ACHIM ensures quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department. This announcement is above the full performance. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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