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Summary This position serves as the Medical Record Administrator Specialist (MRAS) in the Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) Department at the at the VAMC Greater Los Angeles HCS. They perform work concerned with the management of a health records program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. MRAS manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management. Responsibilities VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Healthcare System is one of the largest, most complex healthcare systems within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is a component of the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22). Major Duties are: Serves in developmental capacity as technical specialist in health information related matters. Provides advice and guidance on the HIM program in relation to issues. Serves as technical specialist in health information related matters. Participates in facility committees and subcommittees related to health information and provides technical advice when necessary. Assists in performing work related to all areas of HIM programs as well as collaborates with other departments within the medical center and VISN to improve performance and patient care. Serves as technical expert in health record content and documentation requirements. Serves as an EHR liaison in the implementation of automated clinical applications pertaining to the electronic health record. Assists the Chief, Health Information Management (CHIM) and the HIM department in identifying and setting short and long range goals, program objective and tasks to meet the mission and the vision of VAMC. Provides subject matter expertise to service line leaders and medical center staff. Provides training for HIM, clinical and administrative staff on HIM topics. Performs audits and analyses, preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to the CHIM, service line leaders and medical staff. May review and test HIM related Vista software patches; test and trouble-shooting Vista menu options and functional issues when HIM users report application errors; perform equipment needs analysis for new or replacement equipment and /or equipment repair. Serves as the point of contact for health record corrections. Establishes criteria and provides education when dealing directly with physicians, nurses and other clinical providers requesting them to complete or adjust pertinent parts of the health records. May assign User Classes to users at the request of the Chief of HIM Work Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. Education or Experience (1) Experience (a) Three years of experience in the field of medical records that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of medical records and health information systems. At least 1 year of this experience must be comparable to a GS-4 level position. An associate's degree in the health information field plus 1 year of experience that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of medical records and health information systems. NOTE: Successfully completed training for health information technicians in a school accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at the time the program was completed may be substituted for 1 year of experience. No credit may be given for partial completion of such training. OR,(2) Education. Education equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be used to meet basic requirements. Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet one of the following: (1) Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. Current mastery level coding certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) - Physician-based(CCS-P), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. Current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. Current health data analyst certification includes Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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-5. None beyond basic requirements GS-7.Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR, b) 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:(1) 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 (2) 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. AND c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of current classification systems, such as International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). 2. Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with medical center staff, patients, and external entities. 3.Ability to use data collection and analytical techniques for purposes of review, quality control, studies and analysis of health information. 4. 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. 5. Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines. GS-9. 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, (b) 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. And (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of medical and legal requirements related to health information management and health records. 2. Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on health information management practices. 3. Skill in extracting data from various sources and analyzing health information to create report. 4. Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying health information management guidelines. 5. Knowledge of performance and process improvement techniques to develop new or improved solutions in health information management. 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. Demonstrated Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities 1. Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. 2. 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. 3. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies and procedures. 4. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. 5. 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-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. There may be some, walking, standing, bending and carrying books, small parts or driving an automobile. 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: 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.