Medical Records Tech (Roi)

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Health Information Management Section of the Patient Administration Department at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois. The Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) reviews and processes requests for patients’ protected health information and provides customer service to Veterans, their personal representatives, and third parties. The technician provides copies of health information when a signed written request or valid authorization is submitted.

The position involves evaluating authorization forms, determining the urgency of requests, and completing them according to established priorities. The technician greets Veterans and visitors, clarifies the nature of their requests, and determines whether information may be released. Social Security requests are processed using release-of-information software and a secure web portal; documents are downloaded from the electronic health record to a secure network drive and uploaded to the portal.

This is a journey-level GS-6 role. The full performance level is GS-6, and selections may be made at GS-4 through GS-6. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad hoc telework is available; the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• One year of creditable experience indicating knowledge of medical terminology and a general understanding of health records, including six months providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for Medical Records Technician (ROI) work; or qualifying education or an allowed combination of experience and education.
• For GS-6: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information, including the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, HIPAA, and 38 U.S.C. § 7332.
• Ability to navigate paper and/or electronic health records using documentation guidelines and processes to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information.
• Ability to apply privacy and release-of-information policies, procedures, laws, and regulations when processing requests.
• Ability to research and resolve difficult release-of-information questions accurately and promptly.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation.
• Meet applicable pre-employment identification and onboarding requirements, and complete all application requirements listed in the announcement.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Provide Veterans, personal representatives, and third parties with copies of health information when a signed written request or valid authorization is received.
• Evaluate the adequacy of completed authorization forms.
• Screen requests to determine urgency and prioritize them using established systems.
• Greet Veterans and visitors, clarify the nature of their requests, and determine whether the requested information can be released.
• Process Social Security requests for health information using release-of-information software.
• Download documents, including scanned images, from the electronic health record to a secure network drive and upload them to the Social Security web portal.
• Receive and validate authorization forms and requests, and track and release authorized requests using computer applications.
• Apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing privacy and release of information.
• Maintain accounting of disclosures for records released from a Privacy Act system of records.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders and provide technical expertise about the release-of-information process.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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