Qualifications

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until February 24th, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 8th, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*** 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)
• 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
• NOTE
• See paragraph 2a above for a detailed definition of Coding Certification
• OR, (2) HIM Certification through AHIMA
• NOTE
• See paragraph 2d above for a detailed definition of HIM Certification
• OR, (3) Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA
• NOTE
• See paragraph 2c above for a detailed definition of Health Data Analyst Certification
• NOTE
• HIMs Certification is required for all positions above the full performance level
• Grade Determinations: Medical Records Administrator (Chief (CHIM)), GS-12 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level
• AND Certification: Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification NOTE
• See paragraph 2d of this appendix for detailed definitions of 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
• Skill in evaluating, developing, and implementing new policies, procedures, and programs
• Ability to provide program oversight, including advisory and technical expertise on a range of health information management practices and guidelines to staff at various levels
• Ability to develop and conduct training on health information management programs, policies, procedures, and performance improvement activities
• Ability to effectively procure and manage HIM resources (i.e
• space, staffing, education, budget, etc.)
• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties to include assignment of work
• completing performance evaluations
• selection of staff
• and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions
• Customer service skills necessary to effectively communicate (written and verbal) and interact with all levels of hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and outside agencies
• Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and/or complex situations
• Preferred Experience: 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.