Medical Records Technician (ROI)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, FL seeks a Medical Records Technician (Release of Information).

The role manages disclosure of health information, ensuring compliance with Privacy Act, FOIA, HIPAA, and VA directives. Entry to journey level duties apply across GS-04 to GS-06 with increasing responsibilities. Applicants must meet basic federal requirements and demonstrate understanding of medical terminology and health records.

Qualifications

• Experience in medical terminology and health records.
• Education or combination to meet ROI MRT requirements.
• Knowledge of privacy and disclosure regulations governing health information.

Responsibilities

• Process release of information requests following laws and policies.
• Evaluate validity of requests and ensure only authorized disclosures.
• Maintain documentation and coordinate with internal/external stakeholders.

Skills

Medical terminology

Health information management

English proficiency

Education

Associate's degree in health information management

Bachelor's degree in health information management

Tools

Release of Information systems

AMIE

Electronic Health Record

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Health Information Management Service - James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa - FL. Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) discloses health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

Basic Requirements

• All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications
• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• English Language Proficiency
• MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Experience and Education
• 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: 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - all applicants must also meet one of the following grade requirements to qualify for a specific grade level
• Medical Records Technician (ROI) - GS-04: This is the entry level
• Experience or Education
• None beyond basic requirements
• Medical Records Technician (ROI) - GS-05: You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level
• Examples of this includes - but is not limited to - performing the following type of work: receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information - and prioritize requests per policies and regulations
• use various computer applications to track and release all authorized ROI requests
• process and release health information to authorized first- and third-party requestors
• ) initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records
• ensure compliance with policies - procedures - laws - and regulations governing privacy and release of information - etc.
• - 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)
• In addition to the GS-05 experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 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 gain information by establishing rapport
• Medical Records Technician (ROI) - GS-06: This is the full performance level
• You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level
• Examples of this includes - but is not limited to - performing the following type of work: receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations
• utilize various computer applications to track and release all authorized release of information requests
• process and release health information to authorized first- and third-party requestors
• y initiate and maintain accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records
• communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process
• ensure compliance with policies - procedures - laws - and regulations governing privacy and release of information - etc
• In addition to the GS-06 experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• While we no longer require essay-style responses to our KSAs - you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the KSAs that are necessary to successfully perform the work of the position
• Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training you possess
• otherwise - we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim
• Grandfathering Provision Exception: 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
• 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-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: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination/evaluation as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination/evaluation is administered by VA Occupational Health.
  

Duties

• Employees at grade GS-04 serve in entry level MRT (ROI) position and receive close supervision and support from more experienced ROI staff members
• Other duties and responsibilities at the GS-04 entry grade level include - but are not limited to: Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) Evaluating validity of each request determining which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws (Privacy Act of 1974 - Freedom of Information Act - and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Receiving and directing callers and visitors Providing advisory and technical assistance to patients - administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information Ensuring the information released is limited to what is specifically authorized and to the person or agency designated to receive it Employees at grade GS-05 serve in developmental positions as MRTs (ROI) position and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex release of information procedures
• The duties in this position are primarily advisory and technical in nature
• Other duties and responsibilities at the GS-05 developmental grade level include - but are not limited to: Applying public laws - rules - regulations and exclusions governing confidentiality of the medical record - including the Privacy Act - Freedom of Information Act and 38 U.S.C. 7332 governing the release of records containing information regarding the treatment of or referral for drug and/or alcohol abuse - Sickle Cell Anemia and infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) Reviewing paper and computerized health records (i.e. - scanned notes - reports - special tests - etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media and released Selecting and compiling information from health records and prepares correspondence - typically using standard form or standard formats for letters Completing and processing routine releases of information to other VA and Federal Agencies and when requested - to patients and their families - insurance representatives - physicians - hospitals - and city and state health agencies according to VA directives Employees at grade GS-06 is considered the journey level for MRT (ROI) positions
• Employees at this level apply - interpret - and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information
• Other duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Communicating with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process Applying - interpreting - and analyzing laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information Balancing and coordinating medical record management/documentation to meet Federal and VA regulations - as well as goals of external accrediting bodies i.e JCAHO - CARF - and others Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) - referring only problem cases to the Supervisor Replying to vague - incomplete - or ambiguous inquires by independently recognizing issues - topics or problems inquiries are usually presented by patients or third parties who are not sure what information they are looking for or do not know how to identify it by title Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m
  - 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS# 72334F Grade 4
• FS# 72335F Grade 5
• FS# 70206F Grade 6