Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent Columbus VAMC employees only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists the Chief, Health Information Management (CHIM) and the HIM Department in identifying and setting short and long-range goals, program objectives, and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the VAMC.
• Provides training for HIM, clinical and administrative staff on HIM topics. Designs and performs quality improvement projects regarding HIM issues. Assists the CHIM in preparing and conducting various presentations.
• Keeps current on emerging issues and trends in the HIM field, including process improvement initiatives, the electronic health record (EHR), coding and computer-assisted coding, the revenue cycle, release of information and privacy issues, records management, medical speech recognition, transcription and data entry, and health information exchange. Keeps HIM and clinical staff abreast of changing technology in electronic systems used to collect, process, code, protect and store health information. Participates in various VAMC, VISN and national committees requiring HIM subject matter expertise.
• Performs audits and analyses, preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to the CHIM, Service Line Leaders and medical staff. Assures the accuracy and timeliness of the capturing of patient services charges (workload) in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Reviews, analyzes and reports HIM performance monitors. Advises Principal Investigators and other clinical staff on methodologies related to retrieval of health care data for specific studies. Performs data retrieval for special studies as needed.
• Serves as point of contact for health record corrections to ensure documentation accurately reflects care delivered and reported. Documentation corrections may consist of retracting erroneous notes, re-titling notes, assigning notes to or removing from consult requests. Collaborates on improperly identified documents with clinicians, Clinical Applications Coordinators (CACs) and others who report problems. Reassigns, rescinds, and removes documents when they have been entered or uploaded incorrectly.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: This position is designated as telework eligible. Telework refers to a flexible arrangement which an employee, under a written telework agreement, performs the duties and responsibilities of such employee's position, and other authorized activities, from an approved worksite other than the (VA facility or VA-leased space) from which the employee typically works from. The telework arrangement may be "regular, recurring" or "situational (ad hoc)".The option for telework will be assessed continuously, and the selected individual may need to return to a VA office if required.
Applicants must live within 50 miles of one of our facilities as they may be subject to the Return to office order.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92283-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• Experience and/or Education:
  • Experience. Three (3) 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, totaling 100%, that qualify for meeting the basic requirements.
• 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,
  • Health Information Management (HIM) Certification through AHIMA; OR,
  • Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.
• 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:In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met:GS-05 Experience and/or Education:

• None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-07 Experience and/or Education:

• Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience may include but is not limited to: generating multiple HIM reports; participate in various health record review activities to ensure the integrity of the health record according to established policies; OR,

Education: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information management, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by:

• 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,

• A 3.5 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA (''B+" or better) based on the average of there quired 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 KSAs. In addition to the education and/or experience described above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following:

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 in various formats.
5. Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines.

GS-09 Experience and/or Education:

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience may include but is not limited to: responsible for generating, analyzing, and presenting multiple HIM reports; monitor health record data integrity per established policies, procedures, and industry standards; prepare workload and production reports and monitor trends to identify efficiencies and deviations; participate in various health record review activities; participate in various facility and regional committees requiring health information management subject matter expertise; 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 KSAs. In addition to the education and/or experience described above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following:

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 management 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 and/or Education:

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience may include but is not limited to: responsible for generating and analyzing multiple HIM reports and identifying best practices or opportunities for improvement; perform workflow analyses, recommend process improvements, and implement changes to improve the productivity and quality controls of the HIM department; monitor reports, trends, and health record data integrity according to established policies, procedures, and industry standards; participate in various health record review activities; participate in various facility and regional committees requiring health information management subject matter expertise; OR,
• Education. Education equivalent to three full years of progressively higher-level education or a PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management. AND,

Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the education and/or experience described above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following:

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/130, Part II, Appendix G33The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• Full Resume/CV
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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