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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Experience and Education: Experience
• One year of creditable 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 Medical Records Technician (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 creditable 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
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-04: Experience or Education
• None beyond basic requirements
• Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-05: Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level
• Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit
• 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)
• You must provide a copy of your transcript showing a bachelor's degree in health information management, or a related degree was awarded and above coursework taken to receive credit
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in Medical Records Technician (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
• Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-06: Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level
• Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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: Basic knowledge of Medical Terminology Release of Information/Health Information Management Knowledge Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-04
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated
• However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.