Dir Health Info Mgmt

Covenant Health•Knoxville, TN

About The Position

Overview: Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10 hospitals , outpatient and specialty services , and Covenant Medical Group , our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times. Position Summary: Oversees all activities of daily operations and supervision of employees of the HIM department at Covenant Health. This position requires a unique skill set including extensive computer and MIS expertise (at a conceptual level) including, but not limited to: computer systems and software, information security, healthcare systems, data quality, protection of patient privacy, data display, design, linkage, and archiving/retrieval of information. Must develop and/or maintain a good working relationship with billing and collection departments. Monitors the following on a daily basis to ensure facility goals are met and to prevent delays that affect the hospital’s financial performance: all unbilled accounts receivable claims for all coding deficiencies including those claims that have failed edits and are in need of correction. Instills an equal appreciation of HIM personnel for complete and accurate information and the financial ramification of all HIM work processes. Responsible for ensuring practices in HIM meet all the Joint Commission and state standards. Works closely with IS on system selection and implementation that affect HIM. Maintains optimal communication links with CQI/CPI and Integrity Office. Customer service mentality is crucial, as is a good working relationship with the medical staff. Serves as the Privacy Officer in the facility and is responsible for the Hospital’s compliance with state and federal privacy laws. As Privacy Officer, must have good organizational skills and the ability to work well with patients and staff.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in health information management, computer science or business, required.
Conceptual understanding of specific computer skills/issues.
Three (3) years supervisory experience in related health field required, acute care experience preferred.
Familiarity with the Joint Commission, state and financial regulatory approach mandatory, as well as hospital finance, needed.
Must have RHIA or RHIT credentials.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program and safety standards.
Have oversight responsibility for the Joint Commission, state and federal regulation compliance, relative to HIM.
Relate to medical staff directly, as well as through the Medical Records (HIM) Committee.
Oversee planning, direction and supervision of all HIM activities.
Responsible for the human resource activities for HIM staff, including hiring, evaluating and counseling.
Monitors various reports to ensure an accurate and correct Case Mix Index, to redirect HIM work processes and staff to meet goals set relative to Days in Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Accounts.
Responsible for the development of and adherence to the annual HIM operating and capital budgets.
Oversee major operational initiatives/projects through participation on task forces/teams such as, optical imaging, systems selection, correct coding, HIPAA, MS-DRGs, APCs, TSI, and efforts directed at obtaining a computerized patient record.
Develops the Hospital’s information privacy policies and procedures in coordination with the Corporate Integrity/Compliance Office, Hospital Administration and legal counsel.
Monitors changes in privacy laws and regulations, and assures that any necessary revisions are made to the privacy policies and procedures in a timely manner.
Performs periodic information privacy risk assessments and conducts ongoing related compliance monitoring activities. Also, conducts periodic assessments of staff compliance with the Hospital’s privacy policies and procedures, and making Hospital administration aware of any known or potential problems that must be addressed.
Maintains access to a mechanism to track access to protected health information, within the purview of the organization and as required by law and to allow qualified individuals to review or receive on such activity.
Maintains current knowledge of applicable federal and state privacy laws and accreditation standards, and monitors advancements in information privacy technologies to help ensure organizational adaptation and compliance.
Cooperates with state and federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Civil Rights, in any reviews or investigations in conjunction with the Corporate Integrity/Compliance Office and Hospital administration.
Responds to patient concerns and complaints regarding the Hospital’s privacy policies and procedures, and working with Hospital administration to assure that appropriate actions are taken to resolve such problems.
Assists the Hospital’s human resources department in developing appropriate disciplinary measures when the Hospital’s privacy policies and procedures have been violated.
Helps to identify business associates and trading partners in conjunction with the Corporate Integrity/Compliance Office and helps to assure that appropriate agreements and safeguards are implemented and maintained between the Hospital and its vendors and other business associates.
Develops policies and procedures, and hold meetings and in-services with HIM staff.
Oversees purchase of supplies and equipment.
Works closely with senior financial management to assure that close linkage is maintained with special reference to billing and collection issues.
Works on identified issues relative to denials of payment, as it relates to HIM.
Works closely with Health System CIO and clinical quality/clinical improvement initiative leadership to assure accomplishment of shared goals.
Maintains professional growth and development of HIM staff through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
Performs other related duties as assigned.