Health Information Management Technician

CareSouth•Baton Rouge, LA

About The Position

The Health Information Management Technician serves as custodian of medical records and is responsible for their confidentiality, completeness, accuracy, maintenance, and organization in accordance with organizational policies and procedures, AHIMA guidelines, HIPAA, and applicable medical records laws. The role primarily responds to requests from patients, attorneys, physicians, insurance companies, and other entities for copies of medical records. The HIM Tech coordinates and processes releases of medical information, subpoenas, court orders, and patient form completion requests. The position also audits clinical records, maintains tracking logs, prepares monthly activity and performance reports, monitors incoming faxes, and assists with scanning completed forms into patient charts. The role supports staff through orientation on medical records processes and promotes effective teamwork, confidentiality, quality assurance, and excellent customer service. The work is primarily sedentary in an indoor, environmentally controlled setting, with possible exposure to disease or infections and artificial and/or natural light. Travel among CareSouth sites may be needed.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Experience in medical records management, operations, and request processing preferred.
Experience using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and an electronic medical records system.
Knowledge of medical records procedures and laws.
Intermediate knowledge of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and medical terminology.
Knowledge of healthcare laws, regulations, and standards.
Strong team-based, results-oriented, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize work, work independently, and schedule and produce work in a timely manner.
Ability to travel among CareSouth sites if needed.
Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination required at all times; hand dexterity for typing and fine manipulation required.
Ability to lift approximately 10–15 pounds; push and pull sometimes; stoop, bend, sit, and stand sometimes; walk frequently for short distances; and stand on a step stool and reach above head and shoulder area.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree and/or certification, such as RHIA or RHIT, preferred.
Certified Medical Assistant background is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as custodian of records.
Maintain working knowledge of HIPAA rules and regulations and apply them to day-to-day operations; disseminate information as appropriate.
Maintain working knowledge of Louisiana medical records laws.
Oversee, manage, and ensure the maintenance and organization of medical records in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality and safeguard patient-related information.
Coordinate, process, and manage the release of medical information to patients, insurance companies, lawyers, and state and federal agencies.
Process subpoenas and court orders.
Coordinate, process, and manage patient form completion requests, such as disability and home health forms, and related payment.
Ensure record requests are date-stamped upon receipt and logged.
Handle record requests by phone, fax, and mail and provide copies according to organizational policy and procedure.
Audit active-patient clinical records for compliance with accepted professional and legal standards.
Maintain the Correspondence and Medical Records Tracking Log.
Prepare and provide monthly reports, such as dashboards, on medical records activities and performance.
Foster positive interpersonal relationships and practice effective teamwork.
Orient staff on medical records processes, policies, and procedures as needed.
Maintain adequate coverage of service.
Follow federal, state, and local workplace health and safety policies, procedures, and programs.
Ensure compliance with the Quality Assurance/Improvement Plan.
Maintain confidentiality of workplace information according to center policies and procedures.
Provide excellent customer service.
Monitor the medical records fax drive for incoming faxes and distribute them to the appropriate department.
Assist with scanning provider-completed forms into patients' charts.
Work independently and self-direct work tasks.
Perform other duties as assigned.