"Alerted.org

Summary This Medical Records Administrator - Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM) position is in Business Office services at the Carl Vinson VA Healthcare System, located Dublin, Georgia. Responsibilities Strategic Program Planning: The Chief, HIMS has full program responsibility to set and carry out the strategic direction, mission, and vision for CVVAMC Health Information Management Services. Coordinates individual and group activities towards accomplishing overall VA, VISN, and CVVAMC goals. Leads and participates in short- and long-range planning of Health Information Management activities for short- and long-range goals. Coordinates plan with needs of various VA strategic health care groups, provides subject matter expertise, advice, assistance, and guidance in response to questions posed by the Health Care Service Chiefs and other service staff on health information management policy and program needs/issues at the local, VISN and national levels. The Chief, HIMS is responsible for ensuring the HIM program meets and exceeds national directives for Implementing a fully electronic health record. When appropriate, the Chief, HIMS participates in CVVAMC research activities related to health information and electronic medical record issues. Performs external environmental analysis: by obtaining and assessing the external health care community for Information about electronic health record (EHR) trends, advances and emerging issues that will affect the VA; determines what environmental information is significant to the VA, VISN, and CVVAMC and evaluates issues' impact. Performs internal environmental analysis to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the health record program to develop strategies that optimizes strengths and de-emphasizes and overcomes weaknesses. Understands the mission, vision, and values of the VA and CVVAMC to ensure continuing excellent health information management and medical record program to comply and/or exceed the requirements of JCAHO, CARF, VA Handbooks 1907.01, 1605.1 and other Handbooks as applicable, Directives and those policies established by the HCS such as Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations and Council/Committee Charters. Program Operations Management: The Chief, HIMS is responsible for: Developing operational strategies in HIMS sections that support VA: setting goals and controlling program activities and cost to achieve these goals and realize VA's mission. Planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, controlling, evaluating, and adjusting program activities to better meet changing Health Care System (HCS) needs Providing advice, assistance and guidance in response to questions or problems posed by Health Care Service Leaders and other HCS staff concerning policy determinations such as requirements of the computerized medical record, documentation requirements, release of information, privacy and confidentiality of information, coding requirements for workload, information security, Medical Care Cost Funding (MCCF), Fee Basis, transcription, document scanning and other HIM and/or privacy related issues. Providing technical advice and interpretation on the vast number of regulations which constitute the basic authority for health information management issues. Ensuring that patient records in paper, Electronic Health Record (EHR) and/or scanned document systems are established, accurately maintained, completed and available to health care personnel for patient care and other authorized uses Assuring the privacy and confidentiality of medical records whether computerized or paper; responsible for compliance with all Federal statutes, regulations and accrediting requirements regarding patient privacy, confidentiality, and information security. Establishing and maintaining release of information processes, including using the DSS ROI software to meet requirements for the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Handbook 1605.1, and other Federal regulations. Representing the HCS and the medical record custodian for court appearances; serving as a liaison with Regional Counsel on all legal matters affecting patient care; responding to subpoenas for medical records and testifying in court on behalf of the CVVAMC. Advising clinical staff on medical record documentation requirements; developing educational program based on results of medical record reviews and changing documentation requirements. Ensuring accurate coding for all inpatient discharges and billable encounters, Fee Basis, Community Nursing Home; managing the coding program; ensuring quality controls and in place for data transfer to the Patient Treatment File and Outpatient Care Encounters in Austin, Texas; ensuring coded data are transmitted in accordance with VA monthly closeout deadlines; establishing quality control processes to verify coding accuracy, including encounter form updates. Other duties Assigned which includes: Personnel Management, Administration Supervisory Controls Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53795F Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 trial period. 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). 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: 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 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. HIM Certification through AHIMA. Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. 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: GS 12 Medical Records Chief 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Must have AHIMA RHIA or RHIT certification along with HIM certification that is required for this grade level Bachelor degree preferred. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 12. 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 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. 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.