Qualifications
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
English Language Proficiency. MRAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403
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 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,
(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.
c. 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 Analyste.
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.
Grade Determinations
Medical Records Administration Specialist GS-5. None beyond basic requirements.
(a) 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.
Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-7
(a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
OR,
(b) Education. . 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: i. 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 ii. 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
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
i. Knowledge of current classification systems such as International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology,] and [the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
ii. Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with medical center staff, patients, and external entities.
iii. Ability to use data collection and analytical techniques for purposes of review, quality control, studies and analysis [of health information.
iv. 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.
v. Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines.
Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-9
(a) 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,
(b) 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
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
i. Knowledge of medical and legal requirements related to health information management and health records.
ii. Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on health information [management practices.
ii. Skill in extracting data from various sources and analyzing health information to create reports.
iv. Skill in researching,] interpreting, and applying health information management guidelines.
v. Knowledge of performance and process improvement techniques to develop new or improved solutions in health information management.
Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-11
(a) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all of the KSAs described at that level.
OR,
(b) 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
(c) Demonstrated Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities
i. Skill in [performance] and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. ii. 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.
iii. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures.
iv. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management.
v. Ability to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and meaningful information.
Physical Requirements. Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; hearing (aid permitted); sitting for up to 8 hours; repetitive motions for computer data entry.