This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The MRT (ROI-Legal) 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. The MRT (ROI) must ensure 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. To perform this task, a MRT (ROI) must possess expertise in all applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding release of health information. Duties include but are not limited to: Processes medical legal releases of information to attorneys and courts pertaining to Tort Feasor (Third Party Liability), Workman's 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. Maintains files for all Privacy Act requests and subpoena cases for all cases being developed, processed or complete. Compile's tort cases for the Regional Office. This requires extensive investigations to track down x-rays and health records to compile a complete health record. Contacts all VA's to have them make a CD of all the photocopied/printed/written to electronic media information, including digital x-rays. All paper health records are arranged in date order, numbered and several exact copies made for the Regional Office. All computer health records are downloaded to a CD including documents in VistA Imaging. For cases going to trial, this may include additional updates and coordination with the US Attorney's Office. Interview's 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. Receives and directs callers and visitors. Receives and/or gives out forms and assists visitors and/or callers with the completion of forms or documents. Responds to questions from patients concerning services. Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff, and professional staff regarding release of information. Inquiries vary widely and information given requires explanation of office functions, describing specific requirements, providing basic instructions, or a similar degree of detail. Employee composes responses to routine requests for release of patient information. Selects and compiles information from health records and prepares correspondence, typically using standard form or standard formats for letters. Ensures the information released is limited to what is specifically authorized and to the person or agency designated to receive it. Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches, to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data. Locates materials that would verify information given. Review's 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 502-00009-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience & 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: (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 and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-07: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level utilizing 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); applying 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; applying policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information; researching and solving difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information. 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). 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.(KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Preferred Experience: None References: VA Handbook 5005/123, Part II, Appendix G58 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

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 Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Teri Bankhead
• Phone: 2057719942
• Email: [email protected]