Health Information Management (HIM) Technician (Non-Remote) (Santa Rosa)

Northern California Behavioral Health System•Santa Rosa, CA

22d•Onsite

About The Position

The HIM Technician is responsible for analyzing, maintaining, and protecting medical records to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and hospital policies and procedures. This position supports clinical staff, leadership, patients, and external requestors by maintaining medical record integrity, processing release of information (ROI) requests, and ensuring the confidentiality and appropriate disclosure of protected health information (PHI) in a behavioral health hospital setting. The HIM Technician serves as a resource regarding documentation standards, privacy requirements, and proper use and disclosure of PHI. The Health Information Management Technician maintains knowledge of, participates in further training provided, and understands the potential risks regarding occupational health hazards (e.g. bloodborne pathogen exposures).

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
One (1) year of experience working with medical records or health information.
Demonstrated knowledge of patient privacy and security, HIPAA, CMIA, and LPS relative to maintaining medical records required.
Knowledge of medical terminology.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a hospital or behavioral health setting preferred.
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential preferred or obtained within an established timeframe after hire.

Responsibilities

Analyze medical records for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal and state regulations, accreditations standards, and hospital policies and procedures.
Assemble, maintain, scan, index, and perform quality review of paper, electronic medical records within HCS, and any other information system platforms, such as but not limited to, AIS, and SIERA.
Identify documentation deficiencies (e.g., missing signatures, dates, required elements) and coordinate corrections with physician and clinical staff using established deficiency tracking tools and workflows.
Monitor discharged patient records and track record completion using AIS, HCS, and reporting tools in accordance with department standards.
Process written and verbal Release of Information (ROI) requests utilizing AIS, HCS and related systems in compliance with HIPAA, CMIA, LPS, and hospital policy.
Verify patient authorizations, and ensure disclosure meet minimum necessary requirements prior to release of PHI.
Respond to subpoenas, court orders, continuity-of-care requests, and other authorized disclosures, documenting disclosures appropriately within AIS, HCS and any other applicable information systems.
Maintain confidentiality and security of all patient demographic, medical, and financial information accessed through electronic and paper systems.
Serve as a resource to hospital staff regarding documentation standards, privacy requirements, and appropriate use of AIS, and HCS for medical record and ROI workflows.
Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, case management, and ancillary departments to support documentation, patient care, and operational needs.
Assist with audits, data validation, reporting, and accreditation or regulatory review activities, including data retrieval from AIS, HCS, and any other information systems as needed.
Participate in departmental meetings, training, and ongoing competency requirements related to health information systems, privacy, and regulatory compliance.