Summary The supervisory ROI is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of ROI and HIT staff. Has full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit. Typical duties include: preparing work assignments, monitoring performances of ROI staff, evaluating employee performance, selecting staff, recommending awards and advancements, and, when appropriate, taking disciplinary actions. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as supervisor and technical expert for the Release of Information Unit. Provides guidance and suggestions to the Chief, HIM and Assistant, Chief HIM regarding staffing needs and shortages within the ROI section. Some of the major functions and duties of the position include but are not limited to: Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of work produced by each employee. Ascertains problems encountered and takes corrective action. Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations. Develops and conducts competency assessments. Responsible for carrying out established personnel functions and practices. Keeps employees informed about important aspects of personnel management programs. Formulates and initiates performance standards. Interviews new employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Prepares formal requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments, other status changes, or recognition of outstanding performance of assigned employees. Prepares and submits functional statements for new positions, clarification, or updates. Receives formal grievances, resolving those that can be resolved by the first level supervisor. Takes disciplinary action as deemed necessary and proposes to higher authority specific disciplinary action. Keeps employees informed of management goals and objectives and higher levels supervisors informed of employee participation and concerns. Ensures that release of information activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance of and adherence to privacy policies and procedures are performed and coordinated in compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations including the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE). Maintains contact with VA Regional Counsel (VARO) in all matters relating to malpractice, subpoena actions and request for preparation of TORT records. Monitors workload and production of staff, taking action where necessary to meet deadlines, monitors/evaluate performance and ensures accuracy of work completed. Assures that the work of staff is at an appropriate quality and productivity level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized ****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility.**** Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Experience: One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work. OR Education: An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements. The following experience and educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management courses. (b) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision. The training program may be substituted on a month for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy and physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-8, Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Release Of Information) ROI Applicants must have one year experience to the next lower grade level (GS-7) and must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Examples of specialized experience include: knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information; setting priorities, and schedule work assignments ;monitoring the status and progress of work; investigating the contents of paper and electronic health records and systems that contain health information to compile the legal health record based on existing standards and requirements; providing or coordinating staff development and training, preparing reports in various formats and present data to various organizational levels; providing consultation regarding HIPPA and the privacy act. Required knowledge, skills, abilities: Ability to develop policy and provide workload analysis for release of information. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, to include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, recommendations of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Preferred Experience: Medical Records / Health Information Management 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-8. Physical Requirements: This position is administrative in nature, and the applicant works in a office setting and is mostly sedentary. ****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility.**** Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.