HIM Release of Information Specialist I

Advocate Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Charlotte, NC, seeks an Information Governance professional responsible for protecting patient privacy and managing requests for medical records. You will review, validate, and process releases in accordance with HIPAA, state, and federal laws.

Responsibilities include logging requests in OnBase/EPIC, ensuring correct PHI extraction from records, and securely delivering records via CD, email or patient portals. Strong attention to detail and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, with healthcare/customer service exposure preferred.
• Must understand HIPAA and release of information policies.

Responsibilities

• Ensures privacy rights comply with federal/state regulations and policies.
• Logs requests, verifies authorization validity, and processes releases of information.
• Releases records in requested format and maintains secure electronic delivery.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal

Ethics/confidentiality

Research

Spelling/grammar

Tech adaptability

Cyber security

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Medical terminology

Independent work

Problem solving

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

OnBase

EPIC

EHR systems

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensures, safeguards, and protects patients right to privacy by staying current and knowledgeable of all Federal and State Regulations and organization policies regarding privacy, confidentiality, and release of information pertaining to continuing care, insurance, patient, and social security disability requests.
• Receives requests, validates that the authorization meets legal requirements, and identifies requester type. Ensures all releases of information are in compliant with the request, authorization, policies, and State and Federal HIPAA regulations and guidelines to safeguard the organization from legal and government repercussions.
• Logs requests into the Release of Information tracking system utilizing OnBase and EPIC. Scans the authorization into the release module according to documented process.
• Identifies and accurately selects appropriate patient information that is included within the legal health record and designated record set to process the request and to comply with State and Federal regulations to prevent a breach or a complaint from the Office of Civil Rights.
• Locates and ensures any information that is imported or scanned into the EHR that is not available via the release module is included in the request as appropriate.
• Reviews each page of scanned documentation prior to releasing to ensure there are no incorrect patient documents in the record. Any improperly scanned documentation is reported to their leader for correction.
• Releases records in the format requested, creating electronic files to export to CD’s, e‑mail, the patient portal, or requester portals. Understands potential dangers of lack of cyber security and follows rules around encrypting electronic communication, CD’s, and e‑mail.
• Provides excellent customer service in a respectful manner, ensures understanding of customer requests and assists them appropriately; this includes, but is not limited to providing status of requests, providing information on how to request records, and explaining the process including typical turnaround times.
• Performs clerical functions which may include answering phones, copying, faxing, distributing mail, and/or ordering/delivering department or facility supplies.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

Certification / Registration / License

• N/A

Experience

• Typicallyrequires0-1 years of experience in healthcare or customer service.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and organizational skills
• Strong ethical skills to handle confidential information with integrity and keep it confidential
• Strong research skills to identifyappropriate PHIin historical and current patient records
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills
• Ability to adapt to and accurately work withnew technologyand artificial intelligence
• Strong understanding of cyber security risks and proper reporting thereof
• Meet or exceed department quality and productivity expectations
• Advanced computer skills including proficient keyboarding skills and experience in using Microsoft Office products, electronicmailand/or electronic health information record systems
• Ability to read andcomprehendmedical terminology, human anatomy, and disease processes, and/or state and federal regulations related to HIPAA and release of medical information
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make decisions with good judgement
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills including the ability to handledifficult situations
• Ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with time constraints
• Must have high attention to detail and accuracy

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Exposed to a normal office environment.

Preferred Job Requirements

Preferred Experience

• Preferredexperiencein customer service, release of information, health information management, or healthcare billing.
• Ability to read andcomprehendmedical terminology, human anatomy, and disease processes, and state and federal regulations related to HIPAA and release of medical information.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.