Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Montrose (NY); On-site; USD 78,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System in Montrose, NY seeks a Medical Records Administrator (Chief of CHIM) to manage and supervise the health information management program. The role emphasizes leadership of health record processes, policy oversight, and staff performance within the Health Administrative Service.

Requirements include HIM certification, a qualifying degree, and experience with health records, coding, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Three years of creditable experience in medical records management and health information systems.
• Bachelor's degree with HIM major or related field and 24 sem hours in HIM/health information management.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education meeting 100 percent qualification requirements.
• HIM or Coding certifications as specified (AHIMA, AAPC, or Health Data Analyst).
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines in health information management.
• Develop and implement new policies, procedures, and programs.
• Provide program oversight and advisory support to staff at various levels.
• Develop and conduct training on HIM programs and performance improvement.
• Procure and manage HIM resources including space, staffing, and budget.
• Perform supervisory duties: assign work, evaluate performance, and staff development.
• Communicate effectively with hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and external agencies.

Skills

Health information management

Policy development

Program oversight

Training delivery

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in health information management or related field with 24 sem hrs HIM

Job description

The Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System has 1 vacancy for a Medical Records Administrator (Chief of CHIM) at the Montrose VAMC in the Health Administrative Service. MRAs in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services. The incumbent manages, analyzes, and supervises the use of diagnostic and therapeutic health records/health information management.

Basic Requirements

Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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.

NOTE. HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level.

• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as an MRA are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and [registration and/or] certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance (journeyman) level, or [changed to lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the (journeyman) level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations

Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-12

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level.

AND;

Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification.

AND; 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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.