Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief (ACHIM))

<p>The incumbent serves as the Assistant Chief of Health Information Management (ACHIM) at a high complexity (level 1) medical facility, overseeing all HIM functions including medical coding, clinical documentation integrity, transcription, release of information, scanning, and health information exchange. The incumbent provides technical and administrative leadership, supports policy development, and acts as the Chief of HIM (CHIM) in their absence.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The position requires the incumbent to physically report for work to the Minneapolis, MN- VAMC. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as full assistant to the Chief of Health Information Management (CHIM), providing expertise, guidance, and supervision to support the planning, development, and maintenance of a comprehensive, integrated HIM Program. Assists the CHIM in directing, organizing, and controlling HIM department activities, and serves as Acting CHIM in the CHIM's absence. Shares responsibility with the CHIM for collecting and processing data for reports, surveys, and research projects; preparing recommendations for upper management on department needs and long-term goals; and developing and updating policies, standard operating procedures, and training guides. Assists physicians and health professionals in obtaining health record information for research, advising on data availability and use while protecting record confidentiality. Supports retrospective health record review and data abstraction projects to advance Quality Management activities. Conducts ongoing audits across all areas of responsibility to ensure accurate and timely data processing. Reviews employee work for quality, accuracy, and timeliness, providing constructive feedback and developing performance improvement plans as needed. Develops performance standards, conducts evaluations and competency assessments, and carries out established personnel functions including interviewing, selection, training, leave approval, work scheduling, and disciplinary actions. Implements EEO provisions to ensure fair treatment for all employees. Coordinates monthly staff meetings and prepares accurate minutes. Serves as subject matter expert on GS-0675 Medical Records Technician and GS-0669 Medical Records Administrator qualification standards. Provides technical guidance to HIM supervisors and leads, supports section units in the absence of supervisors, and provides expertise in subpoenas, court orders, advance directives, release of information, and other medico-legal issues. Prepares training materials and participates in orientation and instructional activities. Advises management and staff on policies, procedures, and health record content adequacy. Develops and conducts training and continuing education programs covering medical terminology, documentation requirements, coding, clinical documentation integrity, transcription/speech recognition, scanning and indexing, release of information, and HIPAA/Privacy Act requirements. Provides orientation and training to house staff and other health care team members on health record functions and quality. Participates in facility, VISN, and national committees that require HIM subject-matter expertise. Prepares and presents reports and data to committees. Develops and updates policies pertaining to committee functions, health record reviews, and HIM activities. Ensures health record review activities comply with VHA handbooks, directives, TJC standards, CARF, Behavioral Health, and OIG requirements. Advises committees, management, and staff on health record documentation, health information services, and EHR practices based on current policies and industry standards. Assists the CHIM in identifying short- and long-range goals and program objectives aligned with the medical center's mission and vision. Supports planning, directing, and evaluating HIM functions, including budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management. Ensures all activities comply with VA/VHA regulations, Medical Center Memoranda, and accreditation requirements, including TJC and CARF standards. Maintains current knowledge of developments in the health information field and applies that knowledge to hospital operations. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:00 am -1530 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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. 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.<h3>Education</h3>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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.