Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief (ACHIM)) in Columbia, South Carolina
Summary This position serves as the Supervisory Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief, Health Information Management Section (HIMS)) of the Business Office at the Columbia VA Health Care System. MRAs in this assignment assist with providing technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: As a trained health information manager, serves as the Assistant Chief, HIMS in medical facility of moderate complexity. The incumbent serves as full assistant to the Chief, HIMS, with responsibility for the direct supervision of HIM functions of the Coding Unit, File Room, and Clinical Data Specialist/HIMSD Specialist. Serves as the COTR for HIMS. Also assists HIMs Chief with duties as Alternate Privacy/FOIA Officer. Shares responsibility with the Chief, HIM for collecting and processing data for various reports, surveys, and research projects; for preparing reports and recommendations for review and consideration by the Chief, Business Office and upper management concerning the immediate needs as the long-range goals of the department; for recommending equipment and staffing needs; and for preparing and keeping current procedures and operation manuals. Prepares training materials and participates in orientation and instructional activities as required. Incumbent advises management and hospital staff members on policies, procedures, and adequacy of record content, and on training and teaching of clerical personnel in health record functions. Incumbent participates in various health record review activities. In the absence of the Chief, HIM, incumbent functions as Acting Chief of the Section, and is responsible for the overall management of the Section's program and function. Performs other related duties as assigned. Incumbent assists the Chief, HIM in the effective administration and planning of the health information management program throughout all areas of the facility in order to give maximum support to the staff in the treatment of patients and its research programs. The following primary activities must be accomplished in compliance with appropriate directives and requirements of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regulations, Medical Center Memoranda, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The incumbent is responsible to the Chief, HIM, for management of personnel to: a. Plan and direct work assignments of employees to ensure expeditious and efficient processing of HIMs activity. b. Evaluate, counsel, and initiate disciplinary action; approve and o/or disapprove leave of employees. c. Inform employees of policies, procedures, and goals of the HIM department. d. Assist in the interview/selection process, as well as training for new employees. e. Coordinate Medical Record Committee (or equivalent) meetings. f. Assist in coordinating/completing timely routine and non-routine reports. g. Assist physicians and other health care professionals with research project and education regarding VA HIM requirements/procedures. Provides technical and administrative supervision to the HIMS unit of the Business Office support staff. Oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures that agency policies and priorities are being followed; develops performance standards; and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees; refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious cases. Approves leave of subordinate employees. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to unit positions; identifies and provides for training needs; and finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority. Carries out Equal Employment Opportunity policies and program activities. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58555F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 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. English Language: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Experience and Education: 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: HIM Certification through AHIMA. 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). Grandfathering Provision.] [ ] All persons employed in VHA [as an MRA] are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and [registration and/or] certification [ ] that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements [ ] in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed [ ], the following provisions apply: [(1)] Such employees [ ] may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance ([journeyman]) level, or [changed to lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the [journeyman] level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. [(2)] Employees who [were] appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. [(3)] Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/[registration/]certification[, and] meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. [(4) MRAs who are converted to title] 38 [hybrid status] under this provision [and subsequently leave the] occupation [lose] protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry [, as a medical records administrator]. 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 the KSAs described at that level GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: i. Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. ii. 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. iii. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. iv. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management. v. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor and/or advise on current HIM processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. vi. 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: Must have a HIM Certification AND GS-13 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: i. 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. ii. 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]. iii. Ability to plan, justify, [develop, evaluate,] assess, [monitor,] and/or advise on [ ] current health information management processes, and recommend changes in policies or procedures. iv. Ability to [determine] and [evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines, and accrediting bodies as they] apply [to] health information [management.] v.] Ability to [ ] successfully apply principles and techniques of sound [resource] management [(i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).] [vi. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in a range of supervisory duties, process improvement, know HIM field. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.