This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the El Paso VA Health Care System (ELPVAHCS). 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.
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: 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: (a) 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. (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 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation). See Additional Information Section on Grandfathering Provision in this occupation. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of experience in Release of Information (ROI) processing and releasing health information to authorized first and third-party requestors. Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines, policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to validate each request and navigate efficiently through paper and/or electronic health records to locate and disclose only the requested protected health information. Ability to facilitate team processes by providing guidance to and working in collaboration with team members to ensure that: Tasks are completed by the work unit. Good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained. Team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Ability to research and solve difficult questions relative to ROI accurately and timely, while educating requesters on requirements for submitting valid requests for health information. Ability to serve as work leader, assuring the work assignments of ROI Medical Record Technicians (MRTs) are accomplished timely. Ability to balance workload and tasks among ROI MRTs, serving as negotiator and coach for coordination of ROI Unit initiatives. Ability to monitor the status and progress of work, adjust in accordance with established priorities, keeping the supervisor apprised of major issues that arise, and maintaining records/reports of work accomplishments and metrics. Two years of experience using various computer applications to track and release valid and authorized release of information requests. Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the ROI process. Grade Determinations: Lead Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-7 In addition, to the basic requirements above. The following is required: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. or Reference, GS-6 grade level experience and assignment includes: applying, interpreting, and analyzing laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information. MRTs (ROI) are responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information. They receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations. They use various computer applications to track and release all authorized release of information requests. MRTs (ROI) process and release health information to authorized first- and third- party requestors. They initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records. They communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process. They ensure compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of release of information to effectively complete job assignments (i.e., distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, and ensuring required timelines are met.) (b) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information. (c) Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. (d) Ability to prepare reports in various formats and present data to various organizational levels. (e) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository, VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0675, Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) Qualification Standard, dated 12/10/2019. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. 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. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Process 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). Process Medical-Legal releases of information to attorneys and courts pertaining to Tort Feasor (Third Party Liability), Workman's Compensation, Labor and Industries and subpoenas. Contacts all VA's to have them make a CD of all of the photocopied/printed/written to electronic media information (X-rays included) Screen and follows through on all incoming telephone calls from attorneys, insurance representatives, regarding legal cases and requests under the Privacy Act, referring only problem cases to the Supervisor. Develop and prepare cases for release to District Counsel and other appropriate parties. Contacts attorneys when necessary to obtain additional information necessary to develop the case. Maintain files for all Privacy Act requests and subpoena cases alphabetically for all cases being developed, processed or complete. Interview veterans and insurance agents requesting information for Third Party Liability, Workman's Compensation, and Privacy Act cases for referral to Medical Cost Recovery and/or the Regional Counsel's Office. Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 #: Lead Medical Records Technician (ROI) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized