The Release of Information (ROI) Medical Record Technician-Legal position is located in the Health Information Management Section (HIMS) of Patient Administration Service (PAS) at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL and has primary responsibility to safeguard and protect healthcare information from inappropriate access or disclosure.

Duties

Demonstrates advanced knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information; with expert 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). Investigates 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. Assists in the implementation of the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, (VLER), by ensuring proper information is obtainedthrough written authorization to facilitate veteran requests and entering information into VAPsoftware program. Assists in allowing VA and non-VA health care Providers to share specific authorized Veteran health information, electronically and securely through VLER Health Exchange and VLER Health Direct Secure Messaging. Receives, processes, and releases all medical information and correspondence to the Veterans Affairs Regional Office, veterans and or their authorized representatives, local, state, and federal courts, and other third parties, such as attorneys, insurance companies, hospitals, correctional institutions, military installations, state and local health departments, and all other requestors. Grants or denies requests to retrieve and obtain information from original non-electronic and electronic copies of medical reports in various Jesse Brown's Patient Health Information systems. Handles various medical requests for information gathered from personal interviews with veterans, patients, next of kin, representatives from external entities as well internal personnel or by mail. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01252F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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 (KSA's) need 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: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, one must have the required specialized experience in order to qualify for this position. GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Specialized experience at this level includes: apply, interpret, and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information, educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information, receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations, use various computer applications to track and release all authorized release of information 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, communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process, ensure compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. AND In addition to the experience above, the employee must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G58. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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]