Medical Records Administrator Assistant Chief (HIMS)

Duties include but not limited too:

• The Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a 1b and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA Facility Complexity Level Model. The ACHIM assists the Chief HIM (CHIM) in establishing policies responsibilities and requirements for health information management (HIM) related matters such as health record documentation coding and clinical documentation integrity records management release of information file room/scanning transcription and medical speech recognition as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records. They assist the CHIM in identifying and setting short-range and long-range goals program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. The ACHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure the program objectives are met. The ACHIM assists with planning developing directing and evaluating health information and other functions. They oversee 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. They establish implement and monitor HIM performance through metrics productivity measures benchmarking and other applicable tools. The ACHIM ensures quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department.
• Serves as the Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) in a medical facility of high complexity (level 1) with responsibility for the supervision of all HIM functions. Incumbent is charged with full responsibility both technical and administrative for the daily operation of the HIM department which consists of all functions of health record activities related to coding health record documentation analysis transcription/speech recognition release of information file room/scanning programs and health information exchange. Is a full assistant to the Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM). Provides expertise guidance and direction and has responsibilities relative to providing supervision administrative support coordination and technical assistance in the planning development and maintenance of an effective comprehensive and integrated HIM Program at this Medical Center. This position assists the CHIM in the planning directing policy making organizing and controlling the activities of this department and serves as acting CHIM in the absence of the CHIM.
• Is a subject matter expert on GS-0675 Medical Records Technician and GS-0669 Medical Records Administrator qualification standards and how to appropriately interpret and apply them. Provides administrative support to other HIM Supervisors/Leads by aiding in the selection training and evaluation of section employees. Provides technical guidance to the unit supervisors and leads while providing support to each unit in the absence of the section supervisor. Provides expertise in the area of subpoenas court orders advance directives and general release of information as well as other medico-legal issues.
• Assists the CHIM in identifying and setting short and long range goals program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. Assists with planning developing directing and evaluating health information and other functions. Demonstrates skill in budgeting contracting procurement and property the absence of the CHIM incumbent functions as Acting Chief of HIM and is responsible for the overall management of the Sections program and function.

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.
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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

a. 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).

b. Education or Experience:
(1) 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

(2) Education. Successful completion of a bachelors 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

(3) 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: (1) Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. NOTE. See paragraph 2a above for a detailed definition of Coding Certification. OR (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2d above for a detailed definition of HIM Certification. OR (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2c above for a detailed definition of Health Data Analyst Certification.

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

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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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

Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief (ACHIM) GS-12

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

AND

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

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Skill in managing various projects and processes which includes the ability to develop new or improved solutions to complex technical problems in health information management.
• Ability to advise management and staff on a wide range of health information management practices based on current industry standards policies statutes laws and regulations.
• Ability to plan justify develop evaluate assess monitor and/or advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures.
• Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal ethical and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management.
• Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e. staffing space contracts equipment).
• 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.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.