This Medical Records Technician (Release of Information _ Legal) position is located within the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, located in Prescott, AZ. The incumbent reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI). The incumbent communicates with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides direct customer service to the Veterans (or a third party). Ensure that only the information that the Veterans specified be released, is shared only with those whom the Veterans have authorized, or who have legal authority to receive such information. Serves as a liaison to Regional Counsels and U.S. Attorney's offices, for trial cases. Ensures all disclosures are made in compliance with existing policies, procedures, guidelines, laws, and regulations. Compiles the legal health record and provides advisory and technical assistance to patients and internal and external stakeholders pertaining to medical legal requests. Develops and prepares cases for release to Regional Counsel and other appropriate parties. Maintains files for all Privacy Act requests and subpoena cases for all cases being developed, processed or complete. Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information. Performs other duties, as assigned by the Chief of the Service Line. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 07:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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 (1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-7 1)Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 2)Assignment. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. MRTs at this grade level will serve as the sole point of contact, and accurately process and timely respond to complex medical legal requests, including, but not limited to, subpoenas, depositions, testimony, tortfeasor (Third Party Liability), Workers' Compensation, Labor and Industries, and court orders for information from attorneys, courts, local law enforcement agencies, public defenders, or insurance agencies. They serve as a liaison to Regional Counsels and U.S. Attorney's offices, for trial cases. They review and analyze requests to ascertain the type of case to be developed. MRTs (ROI -Legal) ensure all disclosures are made in compliance with existing policies, procedures, guidelines, laws, and regulations. They ensure that information released is limited to what is specifically authorized and to the person or agency designated to receive it. They maintain the accounting of disclosures for all leg al cases. MRTs (ROI-Legal) compile the legal health record and provide advisory and technical assistance to patients and internal and external stakeholders pertaining to medical legal requests. They extensively research and resolve conflicting or inconsistent information related to complex medical legal requests. 3)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information. (b) Ability to apply laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, HIPAA, and 38 U.S.C. ? 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records). (c) Ability to investigate the contents of paper and electronic health records and systems that contain health information to compile the legal health record based on existing standards and requirements. Preferred Experience: ROI Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/123 PART II APPENDIX G58 Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary with the majority of the time spent sitting. The nature of the work is administrative in an office type setting working on a computer. Lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) would be occasional but only in direct support of the administrative duties required by the nature of the work. The position requires periods of standing (2 hours), walking (2 hours), use of fingers and both hands, etc.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Bob Stump VA Medical Center 500 Highway 89 North Prescott, AZ 86313 US
• Name: Queen Dimas
• Phone: 562-826-8000
• Email: [email protected]