Medical Records Technician (Release Of Information)

Summary
The MRT (ROI) works within Health Administration Service (HAS), Health Information Management Services (HIMS), and reviews, indexes, and processes requests for Protected Health Information (PHI). The MRT (ROI) also 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 upon the Veteran's valid authorization to a third party.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to CURRENT PERMANENT VA employees. Current, permanent VA employees must submit their most recent, NON-AWARD SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to be considered for this vacancy. Current employees of other Federal agencies, the Public and Veterans should apply to announcement CBSS-12200271-24-VS.
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Duties
The Marion VA Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.
The Medical Records Technician (Release of Information)s primary responsibility is to validate process efficiently and respond properly to all requests for information while protecting the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). The work requires knowledge of VHA regulations, medical-legal requirements and guidelines as it relates to the Release of PHI. The purpose of the MRT (ROI) work is to provide and fulfill health information and Release of Information requests for veterans and third parties following applicable laws and guidelines. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Apply, interpret, and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information.
• Educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information.
• Receive and validate authorization forms and requests for information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations.
• Use various computer applications to track and release all authorized Release of Information requests.
• Process and release health information to authorized first- and third-party requestors.
• Initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the Release of Information process.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and Release of Information.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework at managements discretion. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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: 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 OR
    
    • 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:
Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-4:
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). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED 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:
(a) 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. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
(b) 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.
Medical Records Technician (ROI) GS-5:
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-4). OR,
Education. A bachelor'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 management, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED, AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs:

• Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, Release of Information systems, etc.).
• Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information.
• Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and Release of Information.
• Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport.

Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-6
Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). AND,
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and 38 U.S.C. § 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records).
• Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information.
• Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and Release of Information to process requests for Release of Information.
• Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to Release of health information in an accurate and timely manner.

References: VA Handbook 5005/123, PART II, APPENDIX G58
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-6.
Physical Requirements: None
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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