RELEASE INFORMATION SPEC

Covenant Health; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant Health is seeking a Release Information Specialist to join the Health Information Management Administration Call Center in Knoxville, TN. This full-time role handles telephone and fax requests for medical records, ensuring privacy and accuracy in line with HIPAA/HITECH guidelines.

The specialist will respond to high-volume inquiries, validate authorities, and release information as permitted. Responsibilities include maintaining Right Fax workflows, safeguarding patient data, and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HIPAA & HITECH guidelines.
• Commitment to patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Experience in health information management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle release of information requests with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Validate authority and patient identity before releasing records.
• Process requests via calls and faxes in a timely manner.
• Maintain HIPAA/HITECH policy compliance and proper documentation.
• Support ROI Coordinator and route complex requests appropriately.

Skills

Customer service

Phone etiquette

Detail oriented

Multi-tasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

PHI software

Right Fax software

Job description

Overview

Release Information Specialist

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shifts

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is East Tennessee’s top-performing healthcare network with 10hospitals and over 85outpatient and specialtyservices,andCovenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system and the area’s largest employer with over 11,000 employees. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named six times by Forbes as a Best Employer.

Position Summary:

It is the role of the Release of Information Specialist to serve within the Health Information Management Administration Call Center. The HIM Administration Call Center is responsible for telephone reception and facsimile requests of medical records for multiple Covenant Health facilities. The use of proper customer service and phone etiquette is required. Their primary responsibility is to assist the caller or requester with release of information regarding continuity of care and questions regarding health information. These duties are associated with the responsibility to protect the medical record from improper release. The specialist is expected to release the record to the requestor after validation of a proper authority. The Release of Information Specialist is expected to respond to unlimited and unpredictable volumes of calls on a daily basis, 24 hours each day, while maintaining ROI accuracy. Process accuracy is governed by HIPAA & HITECH Guidelines, State and Federal laws, and Covenant Health Policy and Procedures. With a staffing requirement of seven days a week, 24 hour coverage, a limited number of ROI Specialists are given home access.

Responsibilities

• Protects the release of patient health information while maintaining confidentiality on all patient health information.


• Will comply with record requests following State and Federal, HIPAA and HITECH guidelines and Covenant Health policy and procedures.


• Must maintain proper phone etiquette and customer service expectations at all times in stressful, high volume situations.


• Assists the caller and validates information being presented to ensure authority, patient identification resulting in proper release of the medical record.


• In addition to incoming calls requesting medical records, the ROI Specialist is responsible for releasing medical records requested by facsimile by maintaining the Right Fax software and database.


• Accesses of various software and functionality for patient information based upon the requester needs and the patient’s dates of service.


• Assists the caller by verifying whether releases have been processed by the ROI Coordinator through access of the PHI software.


• Forwards the requestor to the proper ROI Coordinator for further assistance as needed.


• Employees with home connectivity have additional expectations to work as needed in emergency situations.


• Maintains thorough knowledge of Covenant Health HIPAA and HITECH policies as well as State and Federal guidelines regulating release of personal health information.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

None specified. Will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing an Associate’s degree in a directly-related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:

Some college preferred with experience in HIPAA and HITECH. Must be computer proficient. Must possess a desire to provide excellent customer service and have strong interpersonal skills. Must possess good decision-making skills and be able to work independently. Must be detail oriented, highly organized and capable of multi-tasking.

Licensure Requirement:

Registered Health Information Technician preferred, but not required.