Medical Records Technician (ROI)

Summary

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM), 3220 Deming Way, at the Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. The Release of Information (ROI) technicians reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI,) in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding release of health information.

Duties

• DUTIES: - Processes 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). - Evaluates validity of each request. - Determines which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws, such as the Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). - Inputs all requests into the ROI computer software for logging and tracking of these requests. - Receives and directs callers and visitors. - Receives and/or gives out forms and assists visitors and/or callers with the completion of forms or documents. - Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data. - Reviews paper and electronic health records (i.e., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/ printed/written to electronic media and released. - Composes detailed explanations in response to correspondence received, arranging information into logical sequence and appropriate format, and choosing appropriate words and expressions to convey the desired tone. - Resolves conflicting or inconsistent information found on initial requests. - Processes Social Security requests for health information using ROI software. - Completes and processes 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. - Accurately enters all requests into the ROI software with necessary information for each request for health information. - Completes necessary transactions for deposit of money collected from subpoenas, legal fees, and processing fees for release of information to individuals and insurance companies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Yes - ADHOC only as determined by the agency policy. This is not a remote position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-04 09821F, GS-05 09822F, GS-06 09823F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized

Qualifications

Qualifications 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: English: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 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). Transcripts Required. -OR Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following education/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information of and the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses. (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 of 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, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. Transcripts Required. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: MRT (ROI). All individuals assigned to this occupation must have an approved parenthetical title, MRT (ROI). These requirements apply to all VHA MRT (ROI) assignments in the GS-0675 series. The MRT (ROI) reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI). The MRT (ROI) also provides direct customer service to the Veteran (or third party), by providing copies of the Veteran's PHI, when a signed, written request is received, or upon the Veteran's valid authorization to a third party. The MRT (ROI) must ensure that only the information that the Veteran specified be released, is shared only with those whom the Veteran has authorized, or who have legal authority to receive such information. To perform this task, a MRT (ROI) must possess expertise in all applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding release of health information. GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of creditable experience and/or education required to qualify for this position at the GS-4 through GS-6 grade level. GS-4 Entry Level: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-5 Level Experience or Education: At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) or 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, ana…

Education

Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments…