Summary
This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Patient Administration Service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. The Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) performs or supervises work concerned with the management of a health record program or the provision of services related to medical record administration/health information services.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
1. Applications will be accepted from current, permanent, employees of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL and its outreach facilities including CBOCs and VCS employees.
Duties
The Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure the program objectives are met, assists with planning, developing, directing, and evaluating health information and other functions. They ensure quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department.
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, 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.
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.
Oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies.
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.
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.
Collecting and processing data for various reports, surveys, and research projects; for preparing reports and recommendations for review and consideration by the Chief, Patient Administration Service and upper management concerning the immediate needs as well as the long range goals of the department; for recommending equipment and staffing needs; and for preparing and keeping current procedures and operation manuals.
Responsible for assisting physicians and other health professionals in obtaining health record information to be used in research projects.
Advises on what material is available, how it may be obtained and the uses that can be made of the information while protecting the confidentiality of the record.
Assists in selected miscellaneous retrospective health record review/data abstraction projects to support medical center Quality Management data collection activities.
Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees.
Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of work produced by each employee.
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 lead clerks 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. prepares training materials and participates in orientation and instructional activities as required.
Advises management and hospital staff members on policies, procedures, and adequacy of record content, and on training and teaching of clerical personnel in health record functions.
Assists in coordinating/completing timely routine and non-routine reports.
Assists physicians and other health care professionals with research projects and education in regards to VA HIM requirements/procedures.
Demonstrates skill in budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management.
Perform other assigned duties.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Telework: Ad hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for this position at the entry level at the GS-5 grade.
English Language Proficiency
Experience: At least one (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. Transcripts Required.
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. Transcripts Required.
Certification Requirement: Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions at the GS-12 grade level requires certification as a Health Information Management (HIM) Certification through AHIMA: Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of HIM certification may be added/removed by the AHIMA; however current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Copy of certification required.
Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of experience and certification required to qualify for the Medical Record Administrator (Assistant Chief Health Information Management (ACHIM)) position at the GS-12 grade level.
Experience: At least one full year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates all of the following professional KSAs.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and/or 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 successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).
(6) 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/130, Part II, Appendix G33, Medical Records Administrator/Medical Records Administration Specialist Qualification Standards, 5/28/2020.
Creditable Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is in health information management and is directly related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current practice. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as an MRT/MRA or related field such as medical coding, qualitative and quantitative health record analysis, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act privacy and release of information, or preparation, maintenance, and management of health records.
Quality of Experience: To be creditable, experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference or through other independent means.
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability.
Work Environment: The work area is usually an adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated office or medical facility setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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.
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/10/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12454867.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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