The Medical Records Technician-Release of Information (ROI) reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI) for the Health Information Management (HIM) section of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, VA Medical Center. 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.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Provides direct customer service to the Veteran, their personal representative or third party by providing copies of the Veteran's health information when a signed, written request is received or upon the Veteran's valid authorization to a third party. Applies public laws, rules, regulations, and exclusions governing confidentiality of the health record. Processes all incoming requests to the facility for ROI along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Information Exchange (AMIE), referring only problem cases to the supervisor. Evaluates validity of each request. Receives and directs callers and visitors. Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data. Composes responses to routine requests for release of patient information. Composes detailed explanations in response to correspondence received, arranging information into logical sequence and appropriate format, and choosing appropriate words and expressions to convey the desired tone. Resolves conflicting or inconsistent information found on initial requests. Replies to vague, incomplete, or ambiguous inquiries by independently recognizing issues, topics, or problems. Processes Social Security request of health information using ROI software. 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. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000: GS-6. 00000: GS-5. 0000: GS-4. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A). 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 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Medical Records Technicians (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATIONS GS-4 Experience. None beyond basic requirements. GS-5 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4. 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. GS-6 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5. Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is paid or non-paid employment directly related to the position to be filled, or in a related field such as medical support assistants, ward clerks, health record file room/scanning technicians, incomplete health record analysis, medical coding, or other positions that included knowledge of the content and use of health records. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must demonstrate the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current release of information practice. 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 G58. MEDICAL RECORDS TECHNICIAN (RELEASE OF INFORMATION) QUALIFICATION STANDARD, December 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy ranges from GS-4 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work involved in this position is mostly sedentary, with long periods sitting at computer desk. Some walking and long periods of standing may be required.

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 Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Herbert Lum
• Phone: 702-791-9000 X14057
• Email: [email protected]