at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management Division located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. The James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is larger than just a single facility, but rather a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois which provide medical and dental services to U.S. Military Veterans, Recruits, Active Duty and eligible beneficiaries. Responsibilities VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation’s Veterans. GS-4 Basic Entry Level: MRT – ROIs at this level serve as entry level MRT (ROI) positions and receive close supervision and support from more experienced ROI staff members. GS-5 Developmental Level: MRT – ROIs at this grade level serve in developmental positions and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex ROI procedures. GS-6 MRT (ROI) Full Performance Level: MRT – ROIs at this level apply, interpret and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information; are responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information; and complete all requests for health information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Duties Include:- Greet veterans/visitors and assist in determining the nature of the request and whether the information requested can be released. Responsible for evaluating authorization forms. Process incoming request for release of information. Disclose health information in accordance with all laws and regulations governing authorization and disclosure of health information. Maintain accessible records and provides efficient service for direct and indirect patient care. Manage the receipt and scanning of health documents in a timely and accurate manner. Search records or files to compose responses. Process Social Security requests for health information. Maintain paper and electronic medical records systems. Perform a wide variety of record keeping, correspondence, and tracking operations. Apply 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 governing the release of records. Additional duties or tasks may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 08:00am-4:30pm Telework: Telework to Supervisor’s discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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: Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen. English: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English. Experience: One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health record. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT work. This experience should include positions that required the knowledge of basic knowledge of medical terminology; basic knowledge of disease processes and human anatomy; basic knowledge of medical record/health information guidelines, techniques, and procedures; and knowledge of the medical and legal significance of medical records. -OR- Education: An associate 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, medical coding and introduction to health records). Transcripts Required. -OR- Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following education/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, general understanding of medical coding and the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses. (b) Successful completion of a course of 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 may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. Transcripts Required. GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of creditable experience and/or education required to qualify for this position at the GS-4 through GS-6 grade level. GS-4 Entry Level: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-5 Level Experience demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) 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.); (2) Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information; (3) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues; (4) knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information; (5) Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport. OR GS-5 Level Education: At least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) or successful completion of 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 and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). Transcripts required GS-6 Level Experience: At least one f