Medical Records Technician (ROI)

Description:

This Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) position is located in the Health Administration Management (HAS) Section at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Center in North Hampton. Release of Information (ROI) Technicians disclose health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.

Requirements:

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. MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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.

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 Determination: Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-06-
The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06.

GS-06
Experience . One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05).

1. Experience . One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05.
2. Assignment. This is considered the journey level for the MRT (ROI) positions. Employees at this level apply, Interpret, and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information. MRTs (ROI) are responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information. They receive and validate authorizations forms and requests for health information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations. They use various computer applications and track and release health information authorized first - and third party requestors. They initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act Systems of Records. They communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process. They ensure compliance with policies, procedures laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information.
4. Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner.

Preferred Experience: Experience with Medical Records and Release of Information duties.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G58, For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

Physical Requirements: Office setting; moderate lifting and carrying, 15-44 lbs., reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, standing 4-6 hours; hearing, aid permitted. Duties require extensive use of fingers to perform keyboarding and the ability to hear requests by phone and in person. Version must be adequate to read and prepare documents, or see See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.