Supervisory Medical Records Administrator (HIM Chief) - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary This position serves as the Supervisory Medical Record Administrator (MRA) and is the Chief, Health Information Management (HIM) Section of the Health Administrative Service (HAS) at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center (JMWMVAMC), Walla Walla, Washington. Responsibilities The Supervisory Medical Record Administrator (Chief HIM) is delegated full program management and direct supervisory responsibility for 3 Medical Records Technicians Coders, 3 Release of Information (ROI) professionals, and 7 File Clerks. The MRA is the sites subject matter expert and highest level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program and services and provides technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues. Duties will include: 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 standards, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other regulatory and accrediting agencies. The Health Information Manager also creates and monitors systems to ensure accurate, timely, and complete health records, in accordance with VHA policy and The Joint Commission health information protocols. 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. Responsible for auditing of all HIM functions and ensuring appropriate compliance. Responsible for all facets of health records management for the facility ensuring maintenance of complete, accurate, timely, clinically-pertinent, and readily-accessible patient health records, which contain sufficient recorded information to serve as a basis to plan patient care, support diagnoses, warrant treatment, measure outcomes, support education and facilitate performance improvement processes and legal requirements. Develops policies, processes, and procedures that address all VA, Federal, regulatory, and accrediting requirements for HIM. Evaluates health records program and independently determines the nature and extent of problem areas. Develops recommendations and solutions for program improvement. Develops and implements innovative solutions to correct technical, complex problems. Incumbent provides technical expertise in health records science and other very technical aspects of health information. Maintains all health information input into the local VistA database and assures timely transmission of that data into all VA centralized databases -most frequently those maintained at the Austin Data Processing Center. Must assure that all health information that is coded and abstracted meets the requirements of the VA and/or The Joint Commission and is consistent with professional health records standards. The incumbent is a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Leadership, and clinicians and is responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, patient privacy and confidentiality, etc. Recommends improvements in documentation used to provide patient care, to optimize VERA workload, third party reimbursement and to manage resources. Completes internal quality assurance reviews and audits to ensure employee performance meets quality and quantity standards. Establishes monitors to ensure the timeliness of hard-copy and/or electronic health record entries and reports findings with subsequent trending of data. Provides management officials hard copy and/or electronic health record review results and trends on an ongoing basis. Maintains and reports delinquent records by number, type of deficiencies and responsible provider. Incumbent serves as a resource for patient data on both patient-specific and aggregate databases. Represents HAS and the Associate Director and acts as subject matter expert at the facility-wide Health Records Committee. The incumbent is a key member of the Quality Improvement (QI) team, works closely with QI personnel, and is responsible for assuring that the facility is following all The Joint Commission and CARF standards regarding health information. Incumbent is also responsible for assuring that all patients have a complete, accurate, and timely record of their medical care at the facility. Also, must assure that such information is appropriately stored and readily available for the provision of medical services to the patients. Incumbent is responsible for leading the automation of all health information systems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2d above for a detailed definition of HIM Certification. NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. Loss of Credential. Following initial certification, credentials must be maintained through rigorous continuing education, ensuring the highest level of competency for employers and patients. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies, if a placement opportunity exists. 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: Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-12 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level. Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities i. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. ii. Skill in evaluating, developing and implementing new policies, procedures, and programs. iii. 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. iv. Ability to develop and conduct training on health information management programs, policies, procedures, and performance improvement activities. v. Ability to effectively procure and manage HIM resources (i.e. space, staffing, education, budget, etc.). 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. vii. Customer service skills necessary to effectively communicate (written and verbal) and interact with all levels of hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and outside agencies. viii. Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and/or complex situations. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G33 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), use of fingers, crawling, use of computer and mouse. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. 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.