Job Summary

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Boston VA Healthcare system Brockton campus. The MRT (ROI) reviews and processes requests 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 to a third party.

Job Description

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. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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 or-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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Medical Record Technicians (MRTs HIT must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. . MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Lead Medical Records Technician (ROI), GS-7 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) 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 is for facilities that cannot justify or support a MRT (ROI-Legal) assignment, and must place a lead MRT (ROI) over employees up to the journey level. Lead MRTs (ROI) monitor quality and quantity of work to ensure adherence to applicable requirements and regulations. They ensure the work assignments of the team are carried out by performing duties which include distributing and balancing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, instructing and answering employee questions, checking employee work, and amending or rejecting work not meeting standards. Lead MRTs (ROI) develop training and provide resources pertaining to VHA and other Federal policies, guidelines, and regulations. They conduct training for all new release of information staff regarding the software, the process of requesting archived health records, and the use of VHA computer applications. Lead MRTs (ROI) act as the technical experts and provide consultation regarding HIPAA and the Privacy Act, as it pertains to release of information. 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. DEVIATIONS. The appointing official may, under unusual circumstances, approve reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for MRT (ROI) in VHA whose composite record of accomplishments, performance, and qualifications, as well as current assignments, warrants such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the proposed grade. The placement of individuals in grade levels or assignments not described in this standard must be approved by the Under Secretary for Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/123 PART II Appendix G58. 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. Physical Requirements: This work is mainly sedentary in an office environment. This is predominately sitting with some periods of walking, standing, and bending. Some work may require lifting to 15 pounds (boxes, papers, etc.