Lead Medical Records Technician (ROI)

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

1d

About The Position

The Lead Medical Records Technician (ROI) reviews and processes requests for patients’ protected health information (PHI) and provides customer service to Veterans and third parties by furnishing copies of PHI in response to signed written requests or valid authorizations. The role requires expertise in applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations governing the release of health information.

As work leader, the incumbent distributes and balances assignments, monitors progress and accuracy, ensures timely completion, and provides technical guidance and coaching. The incumbent coordinates team activities and priorities, supports collaboration and consensus-building, and helps ensure the organization’s vision is reflected in team goals and work products. The position also compiles tort cases for the Regional Office and processes medico-legal releases of information to attorneys and courts relating to third-party liability, workers’ compensation, Labor and Industries, and subpoenas.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available on an ad hoc basis; the position is not virtual. The position is in the Excepted Service and has a full performance level of GS-7. A 1- or 2-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• One year of qualifying experience indicating knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records, including six months with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for MRT (ROI) work; or qualifying education or an approved experience-and-education combination.
• For the GS-7 grade, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance and plan, organize, and coordinate release-of-information activities, including workload distribution, progress and accuracy monitoring, and meeting timelines.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare reports in various formats and present data to different organizational levels.
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
• Complete required background/security investigation, online onboarding, identification and application-document requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 in federal service.
• Experience processing and releasing medical information under HIPAA, the Privacy Act of 1974, and 38 U.S.C. 7332 confidentiality requirements.
• Experience reviewing medical-record requests for validity and completeness and safeguarding information under federal privacy laws.
• Extensive knowledge of electronic and paper medical record systems.
• Experience communicating with patients, providers, attorneys, insurance companies, and government officials.

Responsibilities

• Serve as work leader and ensure unit employees carry out assigned work.
• Distribute and balance workload and tasks among employees.
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within required timelines.
• Coordinate team processes, priorities, goals, and work with employees and management.
• Provide technical direction, guidance, and coaching to the team and individual team members.
• Communicate problems and program issues and help the team identify viable solutions.
• Ensure the organization's vision is incorporated into team goals, strategies, plans, and work products.
• Involve team members in short- and long-term project planning and build consensus around team initiatives.
• Review and process requests for patient protected health information and provide copies to Veterans or authorized third parties.
• Compile tort cases for the Regional Office.
• Process medico-legal releases of information to attorneys and courts concerning third-party liability, workers' compensation, Labor and Industries, and subpoenas.
• Prepare reports in various formats and present data to organizational levels.
• Provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior qualifying federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree