Health Information Technician

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Verify clinical records for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate coding; follow up to obtain missing reports and complete information and signatures; notify providers or others of deficiencies in records and reports received.
• Evaluate requests for health information, including subpoenas, for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations; determine appropriate health information to release based on applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Maintain copies of health information to be released; determine when and how much to charge for health information; maintain log of records released.
• Perform all Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) coding; monitor processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Confer with staff, patients, public agencies, attorneys, and outside providers regarding requests for protected health information; answer questions about confidentiality, coding, documentation standards, and release of protected health information.
• Merge patient records; monitor record room workflow and ensure that all filing, routing, and tracking of information is completed in a timely manner; perform medical record audits for coding and documentation to ensure compliance.
• Educate providers and staff on appropriate coding and health information practices; assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• In addition to the above duties, the senior level will: provide lead direction of work activities; prioritize and coordinate work assignments; review work for accuracy and content; evaluate projects, activities, and processes; monitor work performed to meet agreed upon goals and objectives; serve as a subject matter expert in health information operations; monitor updates to federal and state confidentiality laws, HIPAA, and department policies and recommend changes; assist in planning, developing, and implementing new policies and procedures due to technological enhancements; monitor and audit health information systems for quality and integrity; provide education and training to staff, managers, and providers; maintain health information manuals; assist in the planning, design, and implementation of new health information forms; conduct staff training in confidentiality, coding, and appropriate medical record procedures; act as representative on committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Health Information Technician

• Journey level
• Paraprofessional
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.

Health Information Technician Senior

• Advanced level
• Paraprofessional
• Perform the most difficult assignments requiring a higher level of responsibility, applying advanced subject knowledge, and exercising significant independent judgment and initiative.
• Receive work assignments in terms of objectives, priorities, and deadlines.
• Work is reviewed for technical accuracy, compliance to program objectives, and overall results.
• Receive general supervision from manager.
• Exercise functional and technical supervision over staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Health Information Technician

Training and experience for journey level, paraprofessional classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Health Information Technician Senior

Training and experience for advanced level, paraprofessional classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and three (3) to six (6) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 5-8 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and/or additional training, licenses, or certificates.

REQUIRED TRAINING, LICENSES, AND/OR CERTIFICATES:

Health Information Technician

• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Certification from the American Health Information Management Association or eligibility to obtain within one year of hire.

Health Information Technician Senior

• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Certification from the American Health Information Management Association or eligibility to obtain within one year of hire.