Chief, Health Information Management (HIM) Administrator

Quick Facts

• Role: Chief, Health Information Management (HIMS)

• Focus: Facility health record program, medical information/data, compliance, coding, revenue support, automation, and training

Description

The Chief, HIMS leads health record and health information management for the facility, ensuring a state-of-the-art program that meets Joint Commission and VA requirements while supporting clinical programs. The role manages records, coding workload accounting, documentation/privacy guidance, legal/ethical compliance, and leads automation of health information systems. When the Privacy Officer is unavailable, the incumbent serves as the Acting Privacy/FOIA Officer.

Responsibilities

• Manage all facets of health records management

• Run the health record coding program and ensure timely, accurate workload accounting

• Serve on a multidisciplinary revenue team and provide expertise on billing actions to improve collections

• Provide technical guidance on health information issues (documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, patient privacy and confidentiality)

• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards and support quality improvement through health information management

• Assure patients have a complete record of their medical care

• Lead automation of all health information systems

• Conduct training on health record science, medical terminology, health record documentation, and medico-legal matters

• Directly supervise HIM personnel (medical record coders, medical record technicians, and file clerks)

• Maintain and evaluate health records and ensure legal requirements for care are met

• Develop and coordinate internal review systems to ensure compliance with agency, accrediting, and regulatory requirements

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Selectee Service registration requirement (males born after 12/31/1959)

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete VA onboarding and pre-employment requirements; use REAL ID–compliant identification

• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation (VA Health Care Personnel requirement)

• Meet eligibility for GS-12 via experience and/or education; includes HIM certification through AHIMA (e.g., RHIT or RHIA)

• Experience preparing, maintaining, and managing health records and health information systems, with knowledge of medical terminology and medical coding and relevant medical/admin/legal requirements

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government includes a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on the type of position and appointment.