Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: MRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402 (d), and 7407(d)
• Experience and Education: Experience
• One year of specialized experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records
• Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work
• OR, Education
• An associate'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 technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records)
• OR, Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of specialized experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements
• The following experience and educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management courses
• (b) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision
• The training program may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy and physiology, and health record techniques and procedures
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify for each applicable pay grade, candidates must meet the requirements listed below: GS-4 Experience and/or Education: None needed beyond Basic Requirements
• GS-5 Experience and/or Education: Experience
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) 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, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records)
• Experience and/or education must demonstrate the candidate possesses all the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, release of information systems, etc.)
• Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information
• Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information
• Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport
• GS-6 Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5)
• Experience must demonstrate the candidate meets the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and 38 U.S.C. 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records)
• Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information
• Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information
• Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner
• Preferred Experience: Prefer that applicant has worked within a Release of Information Department or a Medical Records Department and was assigned Release of Information duties
• Familiar with Rules, Laws and Regulations pertaining to the release of health information
• References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, G35 - The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work frequently requires lifting, carrying, filing, and handling of medical records, forms and supplies
• Position requires sitting, standing, bending and traveling to a variety of locations within the medical center to query physician/provider for inconsistent electronic progress note documentation/encounter review
• Position requires daily extended use of computer terminal for processing all phases of daily work
• Incumbent must have emotional and mental stability, and be able to work closely with others.