HIM Specialist 1

St. Charles Health System•Bend, OR

22d

About The Position

The HIM Specialist I is an entry-level position in St. Charles Health System’s Health Information Management department. The role works with internal and external customers to ensure timely and accurate management of confidential patient health information. The position performs work in accordance with Joint Commission guidelines and state and federal regulations and does not directly manage other caregivers. The Health Information Management department provides services across the multi-hospital organization, including preparing, scanning, and indexing records; physician deficiency analysis; release of information; medical record maintenance; facility and professional-fee coding; and medical transcription. The HIM Specialist I supports these operations by handling customer requests, maintaining paper and electronic records, processing and quality-checking records, and protecting confidentiality. The position supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values, contributes to continuous improvement using Lean principles, maintains a safe environment, and provides timely, efficient, accurate customer service. Additional duties of similar complexity may be assigned. The schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, first shift, 0800–1630.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Typing skills, attention to detail, and ability to file alphabetically and numerically.
Computer experience.
Ability to wear the personal protective equipment required to perform the job safely.
Knowledge of medical terminology, protected health information (PHI), and HIPAA.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, and their families, and to interact professionally with a diverse population.
Ability to learn quickly, follow instructions, multitask, and complete assigned tasks.
Excellent customer service, organizational, and teamwork skills; ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to meet daily productivity standards and demonstrate responsibility and accountability for performance, attendance, and punctuality.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and handle stressful personal interactions.
Strong attention to detail, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to perform basic math calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Basic-to-intermediate computer application ability and experience, particularly with electronic medical record systems and Microsoft Office.
Basic experience using computer applications to record time, obtain work directions, and complete assigned computer-based learning.

Nice To Haves

College or vocational school education.
RHIT, RHIA, Release of Information, or Patient Identification & Matching micro-credential.
Medical office or hospital experience.
Administrative or clerical skills such as faxing, copying, emailing, and scanning.
Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

Answer inbound department phone calls professionally and respond promptly to requests.
Process walk-in requests and help patients complete valid authorizations for release of information.
Work with internal and external customers to resolve issues in a timely manner.
Maintain patient records in electronic and paper formats.
Retrieve medical records and related material from hospital departments as needed.
Provide release of information for continuing-care requests.
Prepare, scan, and index medical records for complete electronic storage, including monitoring inbound electronic fax work queues and indexing according to department procedures.
Review and analyze emergency department records for completeness and accuracy in accordance with departmental and regulatory guidelines.
Perform quality assurance to ensure the accuracy of medical records.
Protect the confidentiality of medical record information as required by hospital policies and federal and state laws.
Model two-way communication of the health system’s mission, vision, values, and departmental strategic plan.
Support the organization’s mission, vision, and values and champion continuous improvement using Lean principles.
Help provide and maintain a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; act ethically, report known or suspected violations, and cooperate with organizational investigations and proceedings.
Deliver timely, efficient, accurate customer service and patient care that promotes goodwill.
Perform other duties of similar complexity as required or assigned.