Medical Records Technician (ROI)

Department of Veterans Affairs • Walla Walla, WA

44d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center. Release of Information (ROI) technicians disclose health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

This is considered the full performance level for Release of Information (ROI) technician positions. The duties in this position are primarily advisory and technical in nature.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates the adequacy of each completed authorization form.
• Screens each request for information to determine urgency and assures that most urgent requests are completed fist using established priority systems.
• Applies public laws, rules, regulations and exclusions governing confidentiality of the medical record, including the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and 38 U.S.C. 7332.
• Processes all incoming requests to the facility for ROI along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE), referring only problem cases to the Supervisor.
• Evaluates validity of each request. Determines which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws (Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Ensures that proper authorization exists before release is made. Processes the request to the requesting agency or individual. Inputs all requests into the ROI computer package for logging and tracking of these requests.
• Receives and directs callers and visitors. Receives and/or gives out forms, and assists visitors and/or callers with the completion of forms or documents. Responds to questions from patients concerning services. Provides advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information. Inquiries vary widely and information given requires explanation of office functions, describing specific requirements, providing basic instructions, or a similar degree of detail.
• Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data. Locates materials that would verify information given. Reviews paper and computerized health records (i.e., scanned notes, reports) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media and released.
• Composes responses to routine requests for release of patient information. Selects and compiles information from health records and prepares correspondence, typically using standard form or standard formats for letters. Ensures the information released is limited to what is specifically authorized and to the person or agency designated to receive it.
• Composes detailed explanations in response to correspondence received, arranging information into logical sequence and appropriate format and choosing appropriate words and expressions to convey the desired tone. Determines extent and tone of replies independently.
• Resolves conflicting or inconsistent information found on initial requests.
• Replies to vague, incomplete, or ambiguous inquires by independently recognizing issues, topics or problems.
• Processes Social Security requests for health information using ROI software. Downloads VistA Imaging documents and ROI software documents onto a secure Network Drive. Accesses the secured Social Security Web page and uploads the documents to the Web portal. Transfers the confirmation codes to the ROI software package and closes the requests in both the ROI and Social Security packages.
• Completes and processes routine ROI to other VA and Federal Agencies and when requested, to patients and their families, insurance representatives, physicians, hospitals, and city and state health agencies according to VA directives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees