This position is located in the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) of the Health Administration Service Line at Minneapolis VA Healthcare Systems (MVAHCS). This position serves as a medical record technician in the release of information. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all divisions of the medical center.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information, and prioritize requests per policies and regulations. Use various computer applications to track and release all authorized ROI requests Process and release health information to authorized first-and third-party requestors Initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information Abstracts and processes medical release of information requests that pertain to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; requests for information from patient's medical records for release to appropriate facility, agency or physician Screens and follows through on incoming telephone calls Reviews and analyzes written and telephone requests to ascertain type of case to be developed Reviews paper and computerized medical records (i.e., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media and released 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 Accurately enters all requests into the DSS ROI software with necessary information for each request for medical information Accesses the secured Social Security Web page and uploads the documents to the website Screens each request for information to determine urgency and assures that most urgent requests are completed first using established priority systems Personally greets veterans/visitors, assists them in determining the exact nature of the request and whether the information requested can be released Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-4 Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements. Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-5 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR, Education. 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, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, release of information systems, etc.). Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information. Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues. Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport. 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 GS6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS4 to GS6. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Megan Noe
• Phone: (724) 285-2259
• Email: [email protected]