Medical Records Technician (Release of Information)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) within the Cleveland VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System. The role operates in the Health Information Management Section of the Business Office, handling requests for protected health information with privacy and regulatory safeguards.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship and English proficiency; experience with medical terminology and health records is required,

Qualifications

• One year of experience indicating knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records.
• Associate degree in Health Information Technology / Health Information Management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in HIT/HIM (medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, health records).

Responsibilities

• Process releases of information while ensuring privacy compliance.
• Utilize health information technology and ROI systems (EHR, release of information systems).
• Manage priorities and coordinate work to meet deadlines.
• Apply policies and regulations governing privacy and release of information.

Skills

Health information terminology

HIPAA knowledge

Communication skills

Prioritization

Education

Associate degree in Health Information Technology / Health Information Management

Job description

The Cleveland VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Medical Record Technician Release of Information (ROI). The Medical Record Technician (ROI) will function in Heath Information Management Section in the Business Office.

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

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Records Technicians (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

A) Experience

One year of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health records. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skill, and abilities (KSA's) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work.

B) Education

An associates 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).

C) Experience/Education Combination

Equivalent combinations of experience and education/training are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements. The following experience and education/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience:

• 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.
• 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.

Grandfathering Provision

All persons employed in VHA as a MRT (ROI) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations

Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-4

Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements.

Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-5

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR Education. Successful completion of 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 information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, release of information systems, etc.).
• Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information.
• Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information.
• Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport.

Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-6

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and 38 U.S.C. § 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records).
• Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information.
• Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information.
• Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/123 PART II APPENDIX G58.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements

The work is mostly sedentary. It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects. The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.