Supervisory Medical Records Technician (Release of Information)

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Eastern Kansas Health Care Services, EKHCS VA Medical Center. The Medical Records Technician, Release of Information (MRT-ROI) reviews and processes request for patient 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.

Qualifications:

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.
• MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Experience and Education
• (1) 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,
• (2) 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,
• (3) 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.
• (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.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MRT (ROI) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/ registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/ registration may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation, but will not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. 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: GS-8 Supervisory Medical Records Technician (ROI)

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to develop policy and provide workload analysis for release of information.
(b) Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
(c) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
(d) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, to include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, recommendations of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

Assignment. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment performs supervision, administrative management, and direction of release of information staff, which includes GS-7 MRT (ROI-Legal), and lead MRT (ROI) positions. They have full supervisory responsibility, including preparing work assignments, monitoring the performance of release of information staff, evaluating employee performance, selecting staff, recommending awards and advancements, and taking disciplinary actions. The supervisory MRT(ROI) generates workload reports, distributes pending workload to staff, and monitors completion status. The employee ensures the timely release of health records in accordance with policies and procedures. They ensure compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements and ensure corrective action is initiated, as needed. They work collaboratively with VA Regional Counsel to ensure health records related to malpractice, subpoenas, and tort cases are prepared and disclosed in a timely manner. The supervisory MRT (ROI) ensures orientation and competency assessments are conducted for all assigned staff. They develop policies and procedures, performance standards, and position descriptions, and/or functional statements. They are responsible for professional and administrative management of release of information staff. They maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G58

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Responsibilities:

EKHCS 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.


This position serves as supervisor and technical expert for the Health Information Technician (HIT) Unit as well as the supervisor and technical expert for the Release of Information (ROI) Unit.

• Monitors workload and production of staff, acting where necessary to meet deadlines, monitors/evaluate performance and ensures accuracy of work completed. Assures that the work of staff is at an appropriate quality and productivity level
• Serves as supervisor and technical expert for the Release of Information Unit. Provides guidance and suggestions to the Chief, HIM and Assistant, Chief HIM regarding staffing needs and shortages within the ROI section.
• Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit or team.
• Ensures that release of information activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance of and adherence to privacy policies and procedures are performed and coordinated in compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations including the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE)
• Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy, and timeliness of work produced by each employee. Ascertains problems encountered and takes corrective action.
• Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations. Develops and conducts competency assessments. Responsible for carrying out established personnel functions and practices. Keeps employees informed about important aspects of personnel management programs. Formulates and initiates performance standards.
• Interviews new employees, recommends selection, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards, or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules. Implements provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees.
• Ensures that record retrieval and record transfers to other VA facilities for the purposes of continuity of patient care and release of information are timely.
• Maintains contact with VA Regional Counsel (VARO) in all matters relating to malpractice, subpoena actions and request for preparation of TORT records. Assist in performing 100% quality review of all TORT cases prior to sending records to VARO for litigation. Prepares weekly ROI and TORT record turnaround statistics.
• Prepares formal requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments, other status changes, or recognition of outstanding performance of assigned employees. Prepares and submits functional statements for new positions, clarification, or updates. Receives formal grievances, resolving those that can be resolved by the first level supervisor. Takes disciplinary action as deemed necessary and proposes to higher authority specific disciplinary action. Keeps employees informed of management goals and objectives and higher levels supervisors informed of employee participation and concerns.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $52,459 - $68,200