Medical Records Administrator (Assistant Chief - ACHIM)

Summary

This position serves as a key staff member on Business Office, VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. Staff with specific responsibility for planning, coordinating, administering, evaluating and advising on the Medical Center medical record/health information programs. The incumbent is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) with progressive health information experience in acceptable health information methods and techniques.

Duties

• The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: This position serves as a key staff member on Business Office, VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. Staff with specific responsibility for planning, coordinating, administering, evaluating and advising on the Medical Center medical record/health information programs. The incumbent is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) with progressive health information experience in acceptable health information methods and techniques. The incumbent functions as the Medical Center coordinator for all DRG and Joint Commission activities related to both the paper medical record and the computerized medical record and as the health information expert to professional staff committees. Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of medical record/health information management programs in accordance with Joint Commission standards and federal statutes and regulations. Reviews and analyzes Joint Commission standards, new industry developments to plan, develop, modify, and/or adapt existing systems or initiate new systems to improve Medical Center-wide medical records/health information program efficiencies and effectiveness. Participates in the development of basic tenets and principles into operable policies, procedures, systems, methods, instruction, guides and training aids for Medical Center-wide application in health records-related areas. Acts as a subject matter expert and technical resource to Medical Center in maintaining and improving health records programs and technologies. Provide assistance and advice to Medical Center elements on all aspects of health records management activities. Proposes resolutions to difficult/complex Medical Center operational problems in the health records management arena. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical procedures, nomenclatures and other health records information systems, statistics, health records quality management and interrelationships between the medical records management and other medical care services sufficient to provide advisory services. Thorough knowledge of medical/health records administration to identify, define and resolve managerial, administrative, and medical/health records problems associated with unique, undeveloped, or controversial aspects of medical/health records management. Provides authoritative advice and consultation on medical/health records management and related issues. Knowledge of medical records/health information management laws (federal and state), policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the development and administration of a medical/health records program for the Medical Center. A thorough knowledge of program goals is required to maintain working relationships with other programs and to support key functions within the Medical Center. A thorough knowledge and expertise in various coding methodologies including but not limited to International Classification of Diseases, 10 Edition Clinical Modification (1CD 10-CM)Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT, latest editions), Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and Tumor, Node, Metastasis Cancer staging to assure complete and accurate data used for budget, research, education and staffing. Guidelines include broad administrative policy statements and management concepts that must be translated into medical/health records plans and programs that carry out the Medical Center's mission to deliver quality patient care. Directives and guidelines are in the form of federal legislation, VA directives, Joint Commission accreditation standards; and I ICD 10-CM, ,DSM V and CPT coding books; and Medical Center objectives. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-4:30pm PST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: 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, medical administrative and legal requirements of health care delivery systems. OR, 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, 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.Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions in the GS-0669 series in VHA must meet one of the following: Coding Certification through AHIMA or AAPC. NOTE. See paragraph 2a above for a detailed definition of Coding Certification. OR, HIM Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2d above for a detailed definition of HIM Certification. OR, Health Data Analyst Certification through AHIMA. NOTE. See paragraph 2c above for a detailed definition of Health Data Analyst AND, Health Information Management (HIM) Certification. Higher-level health information management certification is limited to certification obtained through AHIMA. To be acceptable for qualifications, the specific certification must represent a comprehensive competency in the occupation. Certification titles may change and certifications that meet the definition of HIM certification may be added/removed by the above certifying body; however, current HIM certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Medical Records Administrator (Chief) GS-12: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates all the KSAs described at that level.GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities: Skill in performance and process improvement techniques to develop and implement new or improved solutions in health information management. 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, statutes, laws, and regulations. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor, and advise on current health information management processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. Ability to determine and evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines and accrediting bodies as they apply to health information management. Ability to plan, justify, develop, evaluate, assess, monitor and/or advise on current HIM processes and recommend changes in policies or procedures. Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound resource management (i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment). Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, to include assignment of work, completing performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. AND Certification Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. AND GS-12 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) Skill in managing various projects and processes], which includes the ability to develop new or improved solutions to complex technical problems in health information management. Ability to advise management and staff [on a wide range of] health information [management practices] based on current [industry] standards, [policies, statutes, laws, and regulations]. Ability to plan, justify, [develop, evaluate,] assess, [monitor,] and/or advise on [ ] current health information management processes, and recommend changes in policies or procedures. Ability to [determine] and [evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines, and accrediting bodies as they] apply [to] health information [management.] Ability to [ ] successfully apply principles and techniques of sound [resource] management [(i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).] 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Requirements

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. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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.

Education

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055134. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.