Lead Medical Records Technician (Release Of Information)

Full Job Description

The Lead Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) MRT (ROI) is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center.

This position reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI); and provides direct customer service to the Veteran (or third party), by providing copies of the Veteran's PHI, when a signed, written request is received, or the Veteran's valid authorization to a third party.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency: MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience and Education: Experience.

One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records.

Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work. OR, Education.

An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).

OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements.

The following experience and educational /training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management courses.

Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S.

Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision.

The training program may be substituted on a month for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy and physiology, and health record techniques and procedures.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: The experience and Knowledge, Skill, Abilities (KSAs) required below must be evident in your resume.

Lead Medical Records Technician (Release of Information) GS-0675-07 Experience. Applicants must have one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-06) level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities of release of information to effectively complete job assignments (i.e., distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work, and ensuring required timelines are met.) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information.

Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. Ability to prepare reports in various formats and present data to various organizational levels.

Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead MRT (ROI) monitors quality and quantity of work to ensure adherence to applicable requirements and regulations. The duties.

The major duties and responsibilities of the Lead MRT(ROI) include, but are not limited to: Processes all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE), or AccessHIM.

Processes medico-legal releases of information to attorneys and courts pertaining to Tort Feasor (Third Party Liability), Workman's Compensation, Labor and Industries and subpoenas.

Screens and follows through on all incoming telephone calls from attorneys, insurance representatives, regarding legal cases and requests under the Privacy Act, referring only problem cases to the Supervisor.

Reviews and analyzes written and telephone requests to ascertain type of case to be developed. Develops and prepares cases for release to District Counsel and other appropriate parties.

Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data.

Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed, that good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained, and that team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management.

Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. Serves as work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out.

Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees. Assures the timely accomplishment of work assigned to the team.

Communicates to the team the problem to be solved or program issues under review and coaches the team and/or individual team members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.

Interacts with team members aimed at building consensus and to serve as negotiator and coach for coordination of team initiatives.

Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Obtains assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems that arise.

Maintains records of work accomplishments. Checks work in progress to see that supervisor's instructions have been met. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques.

Trains team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives.

Provides expert advice on specific tasks, procedures, and policies. Makes written instructions, reference materials, and relevant background material available.

Obtains needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and problems that arise. Resolves simple informal complaints of employees and refers more serious matters to the supervisor.

Makes recommendations to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognition of performance and personnel needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 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).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: 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.

Child Care Subsidy: 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.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 586-02133F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized