Job Summary

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Health Administration Service at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center in Sepulveda. Medical Records Administrators (MRAs) perform or supervise work with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information. MRAs manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of health records/health information management.

Job Description

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Certification: HIM Certification through AHIMA. Education/experience: Three years f 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-13 Chief HIM Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management. 2. Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to staff at various levels about major program, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management. 3. Skill in revising facility policies and procedures to improve health information management services and to evaluate, modify, and/or adapt new methods to meet regulatory requirements. 4. Skill in analyzing complex data, interpreting and trending results for effective management of the HIM program. 5. Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring of HIM processes. 6. Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities. Assignment. This assignment is the Chief Health Information Management (CHIM), which is the highest-level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the management and direction of the health information management program. CHIMs in this assignment provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation about health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis. [Multi-division, integrated health care systems under the leadership of a single director are considered to be a single facility with one CHIM. A position with program responsibility over less than a single health care system does not have full program] responsibility for the health information management program. The CHIM establishes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. They oversee development, implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards, by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. The CHIM monitors HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking. They participate in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals and controlling program activities and cost, budgeting, procurement, and property management, to achieve goals and improve processes. The CHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G33 - Medical Records Administrator/Medical Records Administration Specialist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. The work area is adequately Lighted, heated, and ventilated.