Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Health Administration Service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. The Chief of Health Information Management performs or supervises work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. Responsibilities The Chief 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. This assignment is only for the CHIM 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, with full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional MRAs ,technical MRTs, and other support staff in health information management. CHIMs in this assignment provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Multi-division, integrated health care systems under the leadership of a single director are considered to be a single facility with one CHIM. A position with program responsibility over less than a single health care system does not have full program responsibility for the health information management program. The CHIM is a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians, the incumbent establishes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation [integrity], release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. CHIM is responsible for directing the operations of all personnel working within the Health Information program and is regularly involved in labor relations and budget management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 06837F 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 identification 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 educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: 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). 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 Requirement: Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet one of the follow: Copy of certification required. (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. In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-13 GRADE REQUIREMENTS Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) full year of creditable experience at the next lower level (GS-12) or equivalent, which is directly related to the Supervisory Medical Records Administrator position. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Possessing full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional (MRA), technical (MRT), and other support staff in medical health information work. Providing technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. Possessing responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program and services. In addition, you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with] legal, ethical and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. 2. Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to staff at various levels about major program, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management .3. Skill in revising facility policies and procedures to improve health information management services and to evaluate, modify, and/or adapt new methods to meet regulatory requirements. 4. Skill in analyzing complex data, interpreting and trending results for effective management of the HIM program. 5. Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring of HIM processes. 6. Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 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.
