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
• Medical Records Administration Specialists must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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: (1) Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC
• OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA
• OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA
• Grade Determinations: Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-5. None beyond basic requirements
• Medical Records Administration Specialist,GS-7: (a) Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR, (b) Education
• (Advanced Entry-Level Placement)
• Applicants who meet the GS-5 grade level may be appointed at the GS-7 grade level, if they possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study in health information management, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by: i
• A 3.0 or higher-grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B" or better), as recorded on their official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum;or, ii
• A 3.5 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field of study, or the required courses completed in the major field of study during the final two years of the curriculum
• AND,(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: i
• Knowledge of current classification systems, such as International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
• ii
• Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with medical center staff, patients, and external entities
• iii
• Ability to use data collection and analytical techniques for purposes of review, quality control, studies and analysis of health information
• iv
• Ability to utilize computer applications with varied functions to produce a wide range of reports, to abstract records, collect and analyze data and present results in various formats
• v
• Ability to work independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and meet deadlines
• Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-9. (a) Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics described at that level
• OR, (b) Education
• Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to health information management
• AND, (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• i
• Knowledge of medical and legal requirements related to health information management and health records
• ii
• Ability to provide technical advice and guidance on health information management practices
• iii
• Skill in extracting data from various sources and analyzing health information to create reports
• iv
• Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying health information management guidelines
• v
• Knowledge of performance and process improvement techniques to develop new or improved solutions in health information management, Medical Records Administration Specialist, GS-11
• (a) Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all of the KSAs described at that level
• OR, (b) Education
• Education equivalent to three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of health information management
• AND, (c) Demonstrated Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities
• i
• Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management
• ii
• Ability to advise management and staff, at various levels, regarding health record documentation requirements and health information management practices based on current industry standards, policies, statues, laws, and regulations
• iii
• Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures
• iv
• Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies, as they apply to health information management
• v
• Ability to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and meaningful information
• Preferred Experience: N/A 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11
• 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.