Credentialed Release of Information Specialist HIM Full Time

Position Summary:

The Release of Information Specialist, under the direct supervision of the HIM Manager and HIM Lead, is responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate release of all Pine Rest requested medical records. The Release of Information Specialist must ensure released information is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),the Michigan Mental Health Code, the 21st Century Cures Act and other state and federal regulations. The Release of Information Specialist must demonstrate excellent customer service and have enthusiasm about the program and the Pine Rest organization.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must be able to work and communicate effectively with providers and employees of both HRS and ORS departments, as needed.
• Appropriately interact with the hospital administrators, directors, and department leads.
• Will be required to work in a highly confidential area without disclosure of confidential information.
• Ensures timely and accurate release of requests for all clinical areas.
• Ensure that every release of information is in compliance with the request, authorization, company policy and federal and state regulatory requirements for a mental health setting.
• Reviews all received record requests for validity and completeness. Follows up with requestor on invalid or incomplete authorizations in order to resolve the request.
• Delivers protected health information for subpoenas, court orders, patient, and other requests with strict deadlines, maintaining expert attention to detail in an extremely fast-paced environment.
• Processes paper and electronic medical records and preforms quality checks to ensure that the correct records have been retrieved.
• Uses appropriate telephone etiquette; handles telephone information requests with courtesy, accuracy, and respect for patient confidentiality.
• Provide patient assistance in completing authorizations forms guiding them on the process of ROI and completed their requests with high patient satisfaction.
• Collects payment for record releases, in accordance with state law.
• Coordinates record storage with offsite records management contractor.
• Adapts to changes in the workload.
• Assists in training of new employees, as needed.
• Suggests areas of improvement and cost reduction.
• Attends all required staff meetings and Pine Rest required training.
• Shares information with co-workers.
• Complies in all material respects with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to position.
• Notifies lead, manager or the ERM Integrity and Privacy Officer if any violations are suspected.
• Responsible to role model the mission and values of the organization, presenting a professional image that is projected in appearance, attitudes and behaviors, time management and communication skills. Provides spiritual, emotional, social, mental and physical support to patients.
• Responsible to uphold the healing ministry of Christ through relationships that honor integrity, stewardship, empowerment, the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional excellence.
• Must maintain annual training and demonstrate competency in the required programmatic training.
• Performs other duties or functions as assigned.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Required Associate’s degree in Health Information or Administration
• Required certification of RHIT, RHIA or Release of Information Microcredential (achieve within 6 months of hiring)
• Preferred 1-3 years Health Information Management experience
• Previous knowledge of HIPAA, Michigan Mental Health Code and 21st Century Cures Act.
• Additional training may be required through formal education or through seminars.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Ability to provide care/service within the scope of: Holding a conviction to express Christ’s love and compassion to recipients of services, coworkers, and surrounding communities through integrity, stewardship, empowerment, the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional excellence.
• Ability to provide culturally inclusive care with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community setting.
• Must have basic computer operating skills
• Must have strong typing skills
• Ability to learn hospital computer systems and software products
• Strong attention to detail
• High level of organizational skills and ability to multitask
• Has the manual dexterity and functionality to use hands and fingers for data entry
• Have excellent customer service skills