Medical Records Technician (Release Of Information)

Summary

The Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for one (1) Medical Records Technician (ROI) to work in HIMS Services at its clinic in Sepulveda CA . This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following :

• Applies public laws rules regulations and exclusions governing confidentiality of the medical record including the Privacy Act Freedom of Information Act and 38 U.S.C. 7332 governing the release of records containing information regarding the treatment of or referral for drug and / or alcohol abuse Sickle Cell Anemia and infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Processes all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) referring only problem cases to the Supervisor.
• Evaluates validity of each request. Determining which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws (Privacy Act of 1974 Freedom of Information Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act); ensures that proper authorization exists before release is made. Processes the request to the requesting agency or individual. Inputs all requests into the ROI computer package for logging and tracking of these requests.
• Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information; 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. Reviews paper and computerized health records to identify material to be photocopied / printed / written to electronic media and released.
• 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.
• 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. Determines extent and tone of replies independently.
• Resolves conflicting or inconsistent information found on initial requests. This involves dealing with patients and / or third parties to resolve discrepancies sorting out errors and reconstructing past transactions cases or events or finding alternative sources of information.
• Processes Social Security requests for health information using ROI software. Downloads VistA Imaging documents and ROI software documents onto a secure Network Drive. Accesses the secured Social Security Web page and uploads the documents to the Web portal. Transfers the confirmation codes to the ROI software package and closes the requests in both the ROI and Social Security packages.
• 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. Processing must be accomplished within established time standards. Accurately enters all requests into the ROI software with necessary information for each request for health information. Completes necessary transactions for deposit of money collected from subpoenas legal fees and processing fees for release of information to individuals and insurance companies.

Promotion Potential : The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory qualification and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 8 : 00am to 4 : 30pm

Telework : Not authorized. Ad-Hoc may be authorized at supervisors discretion.

Functional Statement # : 00000

Requirements

Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 :

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 for GS-04 : None beyond basic requirements

Grade Determination for GS-05 : Experience : One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR Education : Successful completion of a bachelors 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). In addition to the Experience / Education requirement the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : (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. 5 (e) Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport.

Grade Determination for GS-6 : Experience . One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to Experience the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : 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.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard please visit qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 04 to 06.

Physical Requirements : Physical Requirements : The work is for the most part sedentary with occasional lifting of files usually not exceeding 25 lbs.

Education

There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 grade level.

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 : 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 :

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

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Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 42446 - 68819