Medical Records Administration Specialist

Description:

Position is in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of the Health Administration Service (HAS) Service Line. Performs work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. Manage, preserve, analyze, and supervise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
• 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
• Loss of Credential : Following initial certification, credentials must be maintained through rigorous continuing education, ensuring the highest level of competency for employers and patients. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies, if a placement opportunity exists.
• 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 :

GS-5 . None beyond basic requirements.

Assignment : Employees at this grade level serve in an MRA career development position under close supervision. MRAs are responsible for generating multiple HIM reports. They participate in various health record review activities to ensure the integrity of the health record according to established policies.

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:

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

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.

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.

AND

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 reports.
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 education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, 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 or 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 8 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 : This work requires light lifting and carrying (under 15lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, both eyes required, and ability to see to read materials.