Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief (ACHIM))
What you'd do
This position serves as a key staff member on Business Office, VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. Staff with specific responsibility for planning, coordinating, administering, evaluating and advising on the Medical Center medical record/health information programs. The incumbent is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)/Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) with progressive health information experience in acceptable health information methods and techniques.
Major duties
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical procedures, nomenclatures and other health records information systems, statistics, health records quality management and interrelationships between the medical records management and other medical care services sufficient to provide advisory services. Thorough knowledge of medical/health records administration to identify, define and resolve managerial, administrative, and medical/health records problems associated with unique, undeveloped, or controversial aspects of medical/health records management. Provides authoritative advice and consultation on medical/health records management and related issues. Knowledge of medical records/health information management laws (federal and state), policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the development and administration of a medical/health records program for the Medical Center. A thorough knowledge of program goals is required to maintain working relationships with other programs and to support key functions within the Medical Center. A thorough knowledge and expertise in various coding methodologies including but not limited to International Classification of Diseases, 10 Edition Clinical Modification (1CD 10-CM)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT, latest editions), Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and Tumor, Node, Metastasis Cancer staging to assure complete and accurate data used for budget, research, education and staffing. Guidelines include broad administrative policy statements and management concepts that must be translated into medical/health records plans and programs that carry out the Medical Center's mission to deliver quality patient care. Directives and guidelines are in the form of federal legislation, VA directives, Joint Commission accreditation standards; and I ICD 10-CM, ,DSM V and CPT coding books; and Medical Center objectives. Identifies, analyzes, and evaluates the direction and significance of trends and developments occurring in medical/health records administration to adjust programs to latest advancements and changing needs in medical/health records management. Interprets Federal and State statutes (in instances where Federal law is absent), legislation regulations and accreditation requirements to develop and satisfy regulatory requirements. Recognized as the Medical Center expert in medical/health records administration areas with responsibility for influencing, developing and interpreting policies, plans, procedures, and instructions that guide Medical Center personnel in implementing medical/health records management programs. Extensive investigation and analysis are required to find solutions to complex problems with issues and elements that are largely undefined. Creativity and innovation are required to establish policy guidance and procedural material for use by Medical Center personnel, devise new or improve existing health record programs, and develop and institute mechanisms for evaluating health record programs on a continuing basis. Continuing efforts are required to establish concepts, theories, or programs, or to resolve unyielding problems. This work involves determining the soundness of Medical Center medical/health record programs and plans, developing and establishing new approaches and methods for use by clinical, medical records and other personnel, resolving problems that are critical to accomplishing the Medical Center's goals, providing authoritative advice and technical assistance, and developing or revising policies and regulations which affect the medical/health records program agency-wide. This work affects the development and implementation of the Medical Center's health records/information programs and Policies. Travel - Occasional between Portland VAMC and Vancouver VAMC. This role doesn't require operating a government vehicle. Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, PST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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. OR Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Travel - Occasional between Portland VAMC and Vancouver VAMC. This role doesn't require operating a government vehicle. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-12 Experience. One year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. AND Certification. Employees at this level] must [have a HIM Certification. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information] management. Skill in evaluating, developing and implementing new policies, procedures, and programs. Ability to provide program oversight, including advisory and technical expertise on a range of health information management practices and guidelines to staff at various levels. Ability to develop and conduct training on health information management programs, policies, procedures, and performance improvement activities. Ability to effectively procure and manage HIM resources (i.e. space, staffing, education, budget, etc.). 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.
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