This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Release of Information (ROI) technicians disclose health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.

Duties

Reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI). 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. Ensures 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. Supervises administrative management, and ROI staff at or below the journey level. Generates workload reports, distribute pending workload to staff, and monitor completion status. Ensures timely release of health records in accordance with policies and procedures. Ensures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff is conducted. Develops policies and procedures, performance standards, position descriptions, and/or functional statements. Maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. Serves as the primary point of contact, and will accurately process, and provide timely responses to complex medical legal requests, including, but not limited to, subpoenas, depositions, testimony, court orders for information from attorneys, courts, local law enforcement agencies, and/or public defenders. Serves as a liaison to Regional Counsels and U.S. Attorney's offices, for trial cases. Compiles the legal health record and research and resolve conflicting or inconsistent information related to complex medical and legal requests. Performs all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Medical Records Technician (ROI)/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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. 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. Transcripts Required.(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. Transcripts Required. Experience: At least One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the KSAs related to the duties of the position? To be creditable, this experience must be equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6, and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to:(a) 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).(b) 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.(c) Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information.(d) Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner. 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 manage and supervise individuals, set priorities, and schedule work assignments.(c) Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.(d) 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.(e) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.(f) Knowledge of and ability to provide a full range of supervisory duties, to include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluation, selection of staff, recommendations of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Assignment: The Supervisory MRT ensures the work assignments of the team are carried out by performing duties which include distributing and balancing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, instructing and answering employee questions, checking employee work, and amending or rejecting work not meeting standards. Lead MRTs (ROI) develop training and provide resources pertaining to VHA and other Federal policies, guidelines, and regulations. They conduct training for all new release of information staff regarding the software, the process of requesting archived health records, and the use of VHA computer applications. Lead MRTs (ROI) act as the technical experts and provide consultation regarding HIPAA and the Privacy Act, as it pertains to release of information. References: VA Handbook 5005/123, Part II, Appendix G58, Medical Record Technician (ROI) Qualification Standards, 12/10/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Cursten Sturghill
• Phone: 312-569-8850
• Email: [email protected]