The Eastern Colorado Health Care System, located in Aurora, CO is currently recruiting for one GS-4 target GS-6 Medical Records Technician-Release of Information.

Duties

Medical Records Technician-Release of Information duties include, but aren't limited to the following: Provides direct customer service to the Veteran, or third party, provides Veterans copies of PHI when a signed, written request is received, or when valid authorization is received by Veteran's third party Applies/ensure compliance w/ public laws, rules, regulations/exclusions governing medical records' confidentiality, including Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, FOIA & 38 U.S.C. 7332 governing release of records containing information regarding treatment/or referral for drug/alcohol abuse, Sickle Cell Anemia & infection w/ Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV Processes incoming facility requests for ROIs along w/ information required by the VA Regional Office through Automated Medical Information Exchange, AMIE, refers problem cases to Supervisor according to deadlines Greets visitors & determines nature of request & if requested information can be released Evaluates every request's validity to determine what information can be released & is under compliance w/ which existing law, e.g., Privacy Act of 1974, FOIA & Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act, HIPPA Ensures information Veteran specified is released/shared & only w/ those Veteran authorized or who has legal authority to receive information Applies, interprets & analyzes laws & regulations related to health information disclosure Responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information Uses various computer applications to track/release authorized release of information requests Initiates/maintains disclosure accounting for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records Communicates w/ internal/external stakeholders & provides technical expertise regarding release of information process Responsible for evaluating adequacy of each completed authorization form Inputs requests in the ROI computer package & logs/tracks requests w/ necessary information for each request for health information Receives/directs calls/visitors-assists visitors &/or callers w/ completing forms Responds to questions from patients concerning services Provides advisory/technical assistance to patients, administrative/professional staff regarding release of information Searches records/files & composes responses, including electronic searches & retrieves/summarizes/verifies hard-to-locate data Reviews paper/computerized health records, e.g., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc. to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media & released Ensures information released is limited to what is specifically authorized & person/agency designated to receive it Resolves conflicting/inconsistent information found on initial requests-may need to contact patients/ third parties to resolve discrepancies sort out errors & reconstruct past transactions, cases/events or find alternative information sources Replies to vague, incomplete or ambiguous inquires by independently recognizing issues, topics or issues Finds alternative information sources to base a reply when correspondent has provided sketchy/inaccurate information-Inquiries are presented by patients/third parties who aren't sure what information they're looking for/don't know how to identify it by title Processes Social Security requests for health information using ROI software Downloads VistA Imaging documents/ROI software documents onto secure Network Drive Accesses secured Social Security Web page/uploads documents to Web portal Transfers confirmation codes to ROI software package & closes requests in both ROI & Social Security packages Completes/processes routine releases of information to other VA/Federal Agencies, & when requested to patients & their families, insurance representatives, physicians, hospitals & city/state health agencies according to VA directives Deposits money collected from subpoenas, legal/processing fees for release of information from individuals/insurance companies & completes necessary transactions Participates educational activities, completes unit based in-services, & mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by deadlines Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills & professional behavior to promote cooperation & teamwork Practices good customer customer service & demonstrates VA I-CARE values Participates in unit-based quality of care performance improvement activities, unit based performance improvement measures & results Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, negotiable Telework: Ad hoc telework may be available for the highly qualified applicant Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: PDGS-04-56432A, GS-05-56433A, GS-06-56434A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Applicants must be proficient in spoken & written English 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: (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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MRT (ROI) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation, but will not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in addition to the Basic Requirements for employment listed above when determining the candidate's grade. Medical Records Technician, Release Of Information, ROI GS-4 Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements 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). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, KSAs. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in addition to the experience above. (a) 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.). (b) Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information. (c) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues. (d) Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. (e) Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport. GS-6 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, KSAs. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in addition to the experience above. (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. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of Federal & HIPPA requirements, knowledge of medical record components, Registered Health Information Administration, RHIT certification. More than 1 plus years as a full performance Medical Records Technician- ROI Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of a GS-4 to a GS-6. Physical Requirements: Long periods of sitting, standing, bending and walking. May require lifting/carrying light items up to 30 pounds on an occasional basis. Occasional heavy lifting of equipment/materials, (e.g. paper boxes over 30 pounds) Must be able to work at a desk in front of a monitor/screen several hours per day, using a mouse and keyboard.

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 VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System 1700 N Wheeling St Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]