DSHS WSH Health Records Technician 2

State of Washington • Pierce County – Lakewood, WA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Western State Hospital is seeking a Medical Record Department Specialist with experience in various WSH record systems, including medical records, legal status records, quality improvement records, and databases. This role provides customer service to internal and external hospital staff and disciplines.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge of CMS, TJC, and other regulatory standards related to all aspects of health records management.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Experience in oral and written communication with medical, legal professionals, and the public.
• Expert attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Superior organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree in health information management, business administration, or related field; AND Three years of experience in a Health Information Management (medical records) office, office management, healthcare privacy office, compliance office or closely related area.
• Current and ongoing accreditation through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with multiple WSH record systems, such as the medical record, legal status records, quality improvement records and databases.

Responsibilities

• Conducts routine and required audits of physician and other medical staff documentation for legibility, completeness, timeliness, and authentication.
• Conducts a complete medical record review on each client's discharge record to ensure quality and accuracy, including correct diagnosis coding (ICD 9 and ICD-10) to prevent fraud and abuse.
• Conducts audits for The Joint Commission (TJC), Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS), and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to ensure compliance with standards, regulations, and WSH policies.
• Assembles and performs discharge analysis/reanalysis on discharged medical records per TJC, CMS standards/requirements, and WSH policy.
• Codes diagnoses (Axis I - V) using the IDC-9-CM, IDC10-CM, and DSM IV-R coding manuals.
• Indexes diagnoses using the Disease Index and catalogs all patients in the physician's index using the WSH database (Cache) system.
• Coordinates hospital admissions within required timeframes, working with WSH admission staff to accurately complete the admission process, including diagnostic coding and paperwork.
• Assembles necessary documentation and incorporates it into the initial development of the patient record.
• Copies and distributes all admission paperwork and time-sensitive correspondence.
• Completes the review, oversight, and/or processes requests for public record disclosure and protected health information.
• Documents, tracks, and reviews each request, ensuring adherence to all legal requirements for the release of client information.
• Contacts requestors to clarify the scope of records needed, adhering to legally required timeframes.
• Works with ward hospital staff to identify active records responsive to the request.
• Processes requests, redacts record information, and/or instructs subordinate staff in redaction.
• Prepares record information for sending, using computers, microfiche, scanners, and printers.
• Documents requests and retains required paperwork, assuring accuracy in all phases of the release request.
• Provides assistance to medical staff/management teams in research regarding medical records.
• Assists with training for RHIT students during their clinical work at WSH.
• Assists with records retention scheduling and review to ensure compliance with legal requirements for state hospitals and upkeep of the WSH records retention schedule.
• Identifies records for archiving and destruction.

Benefits

• Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level