This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of the Business Development Service Line (BDSL) at the Loveland Colorado Outpatient VA Clinic. Medical Records Administration Specialist (MRAS) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) perform work concerned with managing a health record program or providing services related to medical record administration/health information services.
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. English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet one of the following: Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. OR, HIM Certification through AHIMA. OR, Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. 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 Administration Specialist, GS-5. Experience: None beyond basic requirements Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-7 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, [one] year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR, Education. (Advanced Entry-Level Placement). Applicants who meet the GS-5 grade level may be appointed at the GS-7 grade level, if they possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study in health information management, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by: i. A 3.0 or higher-grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B" or better), as recorded on their official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or ii. A 3.5 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field of study, or the required courses completed in the major field of study during the final two years of the curriculum. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience listed above, applicants must demonstrate the following KSA's: i. Knowledge of current classification systems, such as International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). ii. Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with medical center staff, patients, and external entities. iii. Ability to use data collection and analytical techniques for purposes of review, quality control, studies and analysis of health information. iv. Ability to utilize computer applications with varied functions to produce a wide range of reports, to abstract records, collect and analyze data and present results in various formats. v. Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines. Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-9 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics described at that level. OR, Education. Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to health information management. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience listed above, applicants must demonstrate the following KSA's: i. Knowledge of medical and legal requirements related to health information management and health records. ii. Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on health information management practices. iii. Skill in extracting data from various sources and analyzing health information to create reports. iv. Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying health information management guidelines. v. Knowledge of performance and process improvement techniques to develop new or improved solutions in health information management Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-11 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all of the KSAs described at that level. OR, Education. Education equivalent to three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience listed above, applicants must demonstrate the following KSA's: i. Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. ii. Ability to advise management and staff, at various levels, regarding health record documentation requirements and health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statues, laws, and regulations. iii. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. iv. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. v. Ability to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and meaningful information. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
Incumbent serves as technical specialist in the broad scope of health information related matters, provides advice and guidance on the HIM program in relation to issues such as, but not limited to, documentation requirements for coding, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, scanning processes, speech recognition, release of information, assessments by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), The Joint Commission (TJC), and a variety of others, etc. Conducts research on and coordinates projects and studies of records systems. Determines the scope of the study, formulates a plan of action, designs and creates study tools, tabulates results, summarizes findings, makes recommendations, and produces management reports. Analyzes processes or procedures and recommends improvements or changes as necessary. Assists in writing health information policies and procedures that reflect new or revised approaches to management of health information and contribute to ensuring that regulatory requirements are met when revising policies and procedures. Assists in conducting quality assurance studies of health records. Performs work related to all areas of HIM and collaborates with other departments within the medical center and VISN to improve performance and patient care. Compiles, reviews, abstracts, analyzes, and interprets medical/legal data incidental to various patient care and treatment activities. Serves as technical expert in health record content and documentation requirements. Performs quantitative and qualitative reviews of health record documentation to ensure all patient care data entered in the electronic health record (EHR) is accurate, timely, and completed. Assures the accuracy and timeliness of capturing patient services charges (workload) in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Adheres to established documentation requirements as outlined by TJC regulations, VHA guidelines, as well as medico-legal requirements. Serves as a liaison in implementing automated clinical applications pertaining to the EHR. Applications supported concentrate on automating the clinical record and functions supporting clinicians and other health care providers in multiple services. Analyzes clinical and administrative processes related to information flow. Tests and verifies HIM related software packages prior to activation in production mode. Coordinates with software developers in the local testing of software. Troubleshoots daily operating problems with relevant software modules. Logs problems, referring those requiring a higher level of technical support to the appropriate computer specialist. Provides feedback on the software development and modification needs and requirements of field facilities. Implements integrated software packages. Resolves conflicts and ensures smooth operations in areas where package scope overlaps or is integrated with other service functions. Participates in facility committees and subcommittees related to health information and provides technical advice when necessary. As part of the local Revenue Cycle/Charge Services Team, collaborates with National Program Offices, Office of Finance, Managerial Cost Accounting Office (MCAO), VAMC, VISN, CPAC, and National Charge Services Teams, as applicable. Participates in VHA Healthcare Information Systems training, such as the EHR and other software packages related to HIM job functions. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 442-60864-0, 442-60865-0, 442-60856-0, 442-60867-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized