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
• 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
• 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
• Mastery certification obtained through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• To be acceptable for qualification, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation
• Stand-alone specialty certifications do not meet the definition of mastery level coding certification and are not acceptable for qualifications
• Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of mastery level coding certification may be added/removed by the above certifying bodies
• however, current mastery level coding certifications include: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) - Physician-based (CCS-P), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
• OR, HIM Certification through AHIMA Higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA
• To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation
• Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of HIM certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body
• however, current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
• OR, Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA
• This is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA
• To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must certify mastery in health data analysis
• Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of health data analyst certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body
• however, current health data analyst certification includes Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
• Grade Determinations: Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) 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
• Ability to provide sound, technical guidance to staff at various levels about major program, legal, or procedural changes related to health information management
• Skill in revising facility policies and procedures to improve health information management services and to evaluate, modify, and/or adapt new methods to meet regulatory requirements
• Skill in analyzing complex data, interpreting and trending results for effective management of the HIM program
• Skill in management/administration, which includes program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, and monitoring of HIM processes
• Ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, accomplish program goals, and adapt to changing priorities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• This vacancy is GS-13 and above the full performance level
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.