Functions as the VISN Health Information Management (HIM) Manager. Collaborates with all facilities within the VISN to identify HIM program strengths and weaknesses, to determine corrective actions for remediation when applicable, and to identify potential best practices for implementation at all facilities within the VISN.
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: 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: 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, 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, 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. English Language Proficiency: MRAs 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: Medical Records Administrator, GS-13 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. Health Information Management (HIM) Certification. Higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation. Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of HIM certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body; however, current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). The candidate must demonstrate the following professional KSAs: Ability to maintain effectiveness and adapt proficiently to changes in the environment, work structure, processes, tasks, or requirements. Skill in developing new policies and procedures for administering health information management programs to improve program effectiveness and/or apply newly developed programs or theories to problems that require new approaches. Knowledge of the legal, ethical, and professional standards, as they apply to health information management. Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to the professional staff and executive leadership regarding major programs, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management. Skill in conducting studies, analyzing data, and presenting results. Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties to include assignment of work; completing performance evaluations; selection of staff; and recommendation for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm or 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Available - Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 07453F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The Medical Records Administrator is responsible for coordination and oversight of all HIM activities across the VISN, which includes planning, managing, advising, and directing the HIM 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 agencies requirements. Initiates, develops, oversees, and directs HIM program areas and produces work products such as written policies and procedures, guidelines, references, and training. Has program oversight responsibility for all HIM functional areas such as Coding, Clinical Documentation Improvement, Health Records Processing and Completion, Document Scanning, Release of Information, Speech Recognition, and Medical Transcription. Represents HIM on a wide variety of groups, committees, and task forces, which requires a thorough understanding of HIM policies, requirements, and business needs ensuring those needs are adequately articulated and included in any policy or process development. Acts as HIM subject matter expert and advisor to various customers, agencies, programs, and offices within and external to the VISN. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Develops, implements, and maintains an effective health information management compliance program that covers all facets of health records for the VISN and VHA related to consolidated coding and support of Cerner transition. Ensures that individual facilities adhere to established policies and procedures by establishing and monitoring reporting requirements for the program. Develops and coordinates a HIM internal review system to assure that both clinical and administrative activities comply with agency, accrediting, and regulatory requirements. Operates a CDI program to assist sites needing assistance with that activity. Responsible for maintenance and evaluation of health records, and assuring legal requirements are met. Performs and oversees these duties as the VISN expert but does not involve substantial line responsibility for establishing and implementing overall clinical policies. Develops and implements methods to ensure each facility in VISN 21 fully accounts for workload in a timely, accurate manner to encourage proper reimbursement and VERA allocation. Assesses VISN processes and recommends improvements in documentation systems used to provide patient care, to optimize VERA workload, third party reimbursement and to manage resources. Identifies, defines, and resolves managerial, administrative, and computerized medical record problems associated with unique, underdeveloped and controversial aspects of medical record management. Serves as the subject matter expert for all HIM related issues including the implementation of new coding systems, coding software systems, and documentation improvement initiatives, and chairs VISN-level committees related to these efforts. Will chair a VISN HIM Council consisting of the VISN 21 HIM Chiefs and facility HIMS Staff to hold monthly meetings to assist the HIM Chiefs with their programs as well as to provide consistency in program management for HIM within VISN 21. Will co-chair the VISN Data Validation Committee which includes a Facility membership of Enrollment, HIMS, CDI, VERA, MCA representatives who all work to build a healthier and more efficient clinical workload capture program by identifying best practices and barriers to success. Develop guidelines for data compatibility, consistency, and monitoring for all HIM related issues to include coding compliance to improve the quality of clinical, financial, and administrative data throughout the VISN. Serves as a member of the Central Plains Regional Advisory Committee (RAC). Provides leadership and guidance to develop training programs on all HIM related issues to include proper documentation and coding issues for compliance with third party requirements and federal legislation for clinical, administrative, ancillary, and/or coding staff. Keeps current with federal legislation, periodicals, and publications relevant to health information management to include coding and payer reimbursement strategies, documentation improvement, data management, and electronic records systems. Interprets, implements, and applies knowledge of privacy and confidentiality requirements affecting individual patient and protected health information. Understands computerized patient record data systems. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information. Other duties as assigned by management.