HIM Clerk II - Privacy Officer

at  Tahoe Forest Health System

SUMMARY

Responsible for processing medical records for Tahoe Forest Health System. Performs clerical functions for HIM Department related to record scanning, chart analysis and chart audits. Responsible for processing and monitoring release of health information while ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements and accreditation recommendations regarding the release of Protected Health Information (PHI). Serves as the Health System Privacy Officer and oversees all ongoing activities related to the
development, implementation, maintenance of, and adherence to the organization’s policies and procedures covering the privacy of, and access to, patient health information in compliance with federal and state laws and the healthcare organization’s information privacy practices. Assists, as directed, with compliance investigations and audits.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Certificate of completion from college or vocational school Healthcare related field and 1-2 years relevant experience

OTHER EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred:

• Experience using Electronic Medical Record system
• Knowledge of release of information standards for all types of requests for medical records
• Knowledge of Privacy rules and regulations - State and Federal

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees, directs, delivers, or ensures delivery of initial and privacy training and orientation to all employees, volunteers, medical and professional staff. Promotes activities to foster information privacy awareness within the organization and related entities.
• Performs initial, and periodic information privacy risk assessments and audits.
• Completes State and Federal reporting requirements related to privacy breaches.
• Provides development guidance and assists in the implementation and maintenance of organization information privacy and compliance policies and procedures.
• Works cooperatively with the Health Information Management (HIM) Director, and other applicable organization units, in overseeing patient rights to inspect, amend, and restrict access to protected health information when appropriate.
• Maintains knowledge of state and federal regulations, proposed changes or revised interpretations, related to healthcare law.
• Processes requests for release of information in accordance with State, HIPAA and Privacy laws for clinic and hospital records; evaluates requests for medical and billing records received from patients, patient representatives or third party requesters, insuring that requests comply with regulatory requirements as well as internal policy and procedures; processes requests for medical records, including logging requests in the Electronic Medical Record system, selecting and preparing a file of records requested, sending records back to the requester per their instructions, and collection of applicable fees (if appropriate); coordinates with Billing Office when billing records are requested.
• Reviews and analyzes inpatient, emergency room, ambulatory surgery accounts for completeness.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative assessments of scanned documentation in the ElectronicMedical Record (EMR).
• Provides information and assistance to physicians and staff as it pertains to record completion.
• Uses computer to process, store, and retrieve health information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Answers telephones and assist callers, or routes call to appropriate person.
• Retrieves patient medical records from off-site storage facility, as needed.
• Reviews and analyzes potential duplicate medical records, and corrects those valid duplicates.
• Scans hospital records, patient information, and other hospital documents to support patient care and hospital operations.
• Reviews, prepares, and scans emergency room records retrospectively and concurrently following written procedures.
• Faxes documents upon request, and as applicable.
• Assists physicians and other staff members with transcribed reports.
• Travels to offsite TFHS facilities to process work, when required.
• Demonstrates System Values in performance and behavior.
• Complies with System policies and procedures.
• Other duties as may be assigned.