Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Release of Information)
What you'd do
This position is in the Business Office Service Line - Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. The MRT - Release of Information (ROI) reviews and processes requests for patient patient-protected information (PHI).The MRT (ROI) also provides direct customer service to the Veteran (or 3rd 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.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties to include, but not limited to: Serves as supervisor and technical expert for the Release of Information Unit. Provides guidance and suggestions to the Chief, HIM and Assistant, Chief HIM regarding staffing needs and shortages within the ROI section. Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of work produced by each employee. Ascertains problems encountered and takes corrective action. Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations. Develops and conducts competency assessments. Responsible for carrying out established personnel functions and practices. Keeps employees informed about important aspects of personnel management programs. Formulates and initiates performance standards. Interviews new employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Prepares formal requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments, other status changes, or recognition of outstanding performance of assigned employees. Prepares and submits functional statements for new positions, clarification, or updates. Receives formal grievances, resolving those that can be resolved by the first level supervisor. Takes disciplinary action as deemed necessary and proposes to higher authority specific disciplinary action. Keeps employees informed of management goals and objectives and higher levels supervisors informed of employee participation and concerns. Ensures that release of information activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance of and adherence to privacy policies and procedures are performed and coordinated in compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations including the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE). Ensures that record retrieval and record transfers to other VA facilities for the purposes of continuity of patient care and release of information are timely. Maintains contact with VA Regional Counsel (VARO) in all matters relating to malpractice, subpoena actions and request for preparation of TORT records. Assist in performing 100% quality review of all TORT cases prior to sending records to VARO for litigation. Prepares weekly ROI and TORT record turnaround statistics. Monitors workload and production of staff, taking action where necessary to meet deadlines, monitors/evaluate performance and ensures accuracy of work completed. Assures that the work of staff is at an appropriate quality and productivity level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm EST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Authorized, AD HOC as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 688-26798-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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 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, medical coding, 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. English Language Proficiency. MRTs (Coder) must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations: Supervisory Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-8 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7*). *Examples of duties at the GS-7 include, but are not limited to: Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of release of information to effectively complete job assignments (i.e., distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, and ensuring required timelines are met.); Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information; Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives; Ability to prepare reports in various formats and present data to various organizational levels; Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to develop policy and provide workload analysis for release of information. (b) Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. (c) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. (d) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, to include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, recommendations of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Preferred Education/Experience A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Release of Information functions, with demonstrated expertise in managing complex disclosure processes and ensuring regulatory compliance. At least 1-2 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role, showcasing the ability to manage teams effectively provide guidance, and ensure workflow efficiency. Possession of professional certifications such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), indicating proficiency in health information management practices and industry standards. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements. Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items no more than 10 pounds.
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