This position serves as a Medical Record Technician (MRT) Release of Information (ROI) and is under the supervision of the Health Information Management (HIM) section - Patient Business Service. Release of Information (ROI) technicians disclose health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.
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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Records Technologists (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Requirements: Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-6: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/123 PART II APPENDIX G58The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability. Good eyesight is necessary; majority of work is utilizing a computer keyboard. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates the adequacy of each completed authorization form; screens each request for information to determine urgency and assures that most urgent requests are completed fist using established priority systems. Abstracts and processes medical release of information requests that meet the requirements to the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information. Reviews 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. 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. Processes requests for information from patients' medical records for release to appropriate facility, agency, or physician. Processes Medical-Legal releases of information to attorneys and courts pertaining to (Third Party Liability) Workers' Compensation, Labor and Industries, and subpoenas. Screens and follows through on all incoming telephone calls from attorneys and insurance representatives regarding legal cases and requests under the Privacy Act, referring only problem cases to the supervisor. Reviews information to be released for completeness, signatures, etc., by reading material and checking request for release of information, ensuring that information being released is limited to material requested and conforms to VA directives and policies. 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. Composes and types all forms of correspondence to insurance companies, Veterans, health care facilities, and other requesters. Incumbent is responsible for evaluating the adequacy of each completed authorization form. Screens each request for information to determine urgency and assures that the most urgent requests are completed first using established priority systems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91846-A, 91847-A, 91848-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required