Medical Records Technician (Health Information Technician)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Salary Range: $36825 - $64952 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. MRTs HIT perform incomplete health record analysis. They review, analyze, abstract, maintain, extract, and compile information from the health record. MRTs HIT check for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the health record and monitor and report for regulatory compliance.

Major Duties:

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides administrative support for the Medical Center Health Information Program. Conducts searches for files when medical records are delinquent, misfiled or unaccounted for and ensures all paperwork pertinent to the patient's medical care is electronically filed into the medical record. Receives, identifies, sorts and files various medical reports and other documents related to patient care received from patients or non-VA facilities. Reviews and researches numerous medical reports from VAMC and non-VA facilities to determine which documents need to be added to a patients' electronic medical record. Utilizes basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and research and collect information for various medical studies and research projects. Advises the clinical treatment team on issues related to record completion and documentation requirements. Reviews health records to ensure that all records contain sufficient information to meet medical/legal requirements, to ensure continuity of patient care, and to support education and research needs. Prepares complex weekly and monthly reports noting the status of all incomplete/delinquent records and compliance reports and submits the reports to the appropriate administrative and clinical staff. Works with interdisciplinary staff to solve problems regarding proper health record documentation and completion. Expedites the completion of a health record when a patient is transferred for care at another medical center, for legal requests, regulatory agencies review, and reimbursement purposes. SALARY: GS-04: $36,825 to $46,868 GS-05: $40,332 to $52,426 GS-06: $44,959 to $58,445 GS-07: $49,960 to $64,952 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Qualifications: 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 and Education. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and a 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 HIT work. OR, (2) 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, physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements. The following 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. (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 U.S. Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service, under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience, provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. DOCUMENTATION/TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED DEFINITIONS. a. Journey Level. The full performance level for the MRT HIT assignment is GS-7. b. Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is paid or non-paid employment directly related to the position to be filled, or in a related field, such as medical support assistants, clinic/ward clerks, health record file room/scanning technicians, medical coding, or other positions that include knowledge of the content and uses of health records. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current MRT HIT practice. c. Quality of Experience. To be creditable, experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. 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: Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-4 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements. Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-5 (Developmental Level 1)(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR,(2) Education. A bachelor'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 management, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy &physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers.(b) Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products used in health information management positions (e.g., Microsoft Excel, electronic health records, and delinquency tracking software).(c) Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and industry standards.(d) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties within required timeframes.(e) Ability to apply knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy to fully understand the content of a health record. Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-6(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to navigate efficiently through the health record to locate needed information.(b) Ability to analyze health record documentation to ensure compliance with guidelines and industry standards.(c) Skill in investigating potential health record errors and making corrections, when appropriate.(d) Skill in interpreting and applying health information guidelines and using judgment to complete assignments.(e) Ability to follow up on incomplete health record documentation. Medical Records Technician (HIT), GS-7 (Full Performance Level)(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to judge whether health records contain sufficient information for regulatory requirements, are acceptable as legal documents, are adequate for continuity of patient care, and support education and research needs.(b) Ability to take appropriate actions if health record content is not adequate, accurate, timely, and/or reliable.(c) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with individuals or groups, to facilitate compliance with established policies and regulations.(d) Skill in using appropriate software and computer applications to analyze and record documentation trends.(e) Ability to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessment and improvement of health records.(f) Ability to work independently and utilize problem-solving techniques in the accomplishment of work. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Light Lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up .5 hours); Standing (up .5 hours); Sitting for up to 7 hours per day.

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 11/17/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12829662. 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.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-17