Summary 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. Responsibilities Duties 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: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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). 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 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 a. Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. 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. NOTE. See paragraph 2a above for a detailed definition of Coding Certification. OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2d above for a detailed definition of HIM Certification. OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2c above for a detailed definition of Health Data Analyst Certification. NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief (ACHIM), GS-12 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all the KSAs described at that level. AND Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. Demonstrated 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/. 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 for 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. 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.
