Medical Records Administrator; Chief CHIM

This position serves as the Medical Records Administrator, (MRA) (Chief, Health Information Management (HIM)). This position is located in the Health Information Management Section of Health Administration Service at the El Paso VA Health Care System. Medical Record Administrators (Chief HIM) are delegated full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional (MRA), technical (MRT), and other support staff in medical health information work.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/30/2026.

• 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• 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, or medical, administrative, and legal requirements of health care delivery systems.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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).

Persons hired or reassigned to MRA positions above the full performance level in the GS-0669 series in VHA must have HIM Certification through AHIMA.

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).

One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the KSAs described at that level.

NOTE:

To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience must also be earned while having an active Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) HIM Certification with AHIMA.

• 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, statues, 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…