Summary This position serves as the Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM), which is the highest-level professional position at the facility, with responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program. The Chief HIM is delegated full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional (Medical Records Administrators), technical (Medical Records Technicians), and other support staff in medical health information work. Responsibilities The Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM) is responsible for the administrative management of health records, which includes planning, managing, advising, and directing the health information program in accordance with applicable Federal laws, facility by-laws, VHA policy, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other regulatory and accrediting agency standards. The CHIM measures ongoing intradepartmental performance by establishing priorities, collecting data, monitoring and reporting outcomes, using valid and reliable techniques to analyze trends and variation and taking appropriate action based on findings. S/He also develops recommendations for program improvement and implements innovative solutions to correct technical, complex problems. The CHIM is a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians, and is responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, release of information, transcription/speech recognition, health information exchange, etc. The CHIM is also responsible for directing the operations of all personnel working within the Health Information Management (HIM) program and is regularly involved in labor relations and budget management. S/He participates in the recruitment, interview, selection, and orientation process of all HIM positions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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 Applicants pending the completion of 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: Three (3) 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 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 Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education that equals 100 percent. 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. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. English Language Proficiency: Medical Records Administrators must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C § 7403(f). Certification: Must have a Health Information Management (HIM) Certification obtained through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Grade Determinations: GS-12. In addition to the basic requirements listed above, you must also meet the experience and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities described at that level. 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. Customer service skills necessary to effectively communicate (written and verbal) and interact with all levels of hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and outside agencies. Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and/or complex situations. Grandfathering Provision: 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). 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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.
