Summary We are seeking a Medical Records Administration Specialist (MRAS). This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section of Health Administration Service at the John D Dingell VA Medical Center. MRASs manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Refer to Required Documents below for more information. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assists the Chief, Health Information Management (CHIM) and the HIM Department in identifying and setting short-and-long-range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the VAMC. Provides subject matter expertise to Service Line Leaders, and medical center staff. Interprets and applies the The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, VA regulations and medico-legal requirements requirements; current Federal Codes pertinent to health records; Veterans Administration policy memoranda, directives and handbooks pertinent to health information management; medical coding (ICD, CPT, HCPCS) and reimbursement methodologies; medical and procedural terminology; anatomy and physiology, regulations governing confidentiality of health records; release of information laws and statutes; and all policies/procedures pertaining to VHA health records. Provides training and education for the facility on HIM related functions, clinical and administrative staff on HIM topics. Designs and performs education and training on ICD, CPT, HCPCs and other diagnostic and procedural quality improvement projects regarding HIM issues. Performs audits, review previously conducted audits by the HIM auditors, and analyses, preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to the CHIM, Service Line Leaders and medical staff. Serves as the point of contact for education and training with the focus specifically applied to ICD/CPT/HCPCS. This HIMS educator is responsible for training the organizations staff to correctly implement protocols on recent changes. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: This position is currently authorized for telework - Location negotiable, incumbent must live within 50 mile radius of a VA Medical Center. to meet the Return to Office Executive Order requirements, selected candidates may be required to Return to Office. This will be discussed during the interview process. Remote/Virtual: This position is currently designated as remote. Remote work is defined as full-time employment conducted outside of a VA facility or in VA-leased spaces. The option for remote work will be assessed continuously, and the selected individual may need to return to a VA office if required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93877-0; 93878-0; 93879-0; 93880-0 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. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 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 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 (1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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. Current mastery level coding certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) - Physician-based(CCS-P), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. Current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. Current health data analyst certification includes Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). English Language Proficiency. MRASs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 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: GS-5: None beyond basic requirements GS-7: a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). OR b) Education. (Advanced Entry-Level Placement). Applicants who meet the GS-5 grade level may be appointed at the GS-7 grade level, if they possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study in health information management, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by: (1) A 3.0 or higher-grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B" or better), as recorded on their official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or (2) A 3.5 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field of study, or the required courses completed in the major field of study during the final two years of the curriculum. AND demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of current classification systems, such as International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). 2. Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with medical center staff, patients, and external entities. 3.Ability to use data collection and analytical techniques for purposes of review, quality control, studies and analysis of health information. 4. Ability to utilize computer applications with varied functions to produce a wide range of reports, to abstract records, collect and analyze data and present results in various formats. 5. Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines. GS-9: a) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics described at that level OR, (b) Education: Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to health information management. And(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of medical and legal requirements related to health information management and health records. 2. Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on health information management practices. 3. Skill in extracting data from various sources and analyzing health information to create report. 4. Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying health information management guidelines. 5. Knowledge of performance and process improvement techniques to develop new or improved solutions in health information management. GS-11: a) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, possess at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities described at that level OR b) Education. Education equivalent to three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management, And(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. 2. 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, statues, laws, and regulations. 3. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. 4. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. 5. Ability to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and meaningful information. Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is in health information management and is directly related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current practice. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as an MRT/MRA or related field such as medical coding, qualitative and quantitative health record analysis, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act privacy and release of information, or preparation, maintenance, and management of health records. 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 in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. There may be some, walking, standing, bending and carrying books, files, etc. 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/. You must submit a copy of your transcripts if you are basing any of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Transcripts must include the following information: Your Name Name of the college or university Full address of the college or university Degree Received Date Conferred If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on education, you need to list your education history including the @type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume. Additional Information 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. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
