Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital. The Medical Records Technician (MRT) - Release of Information (ROI) disclose health information in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, rules and regulations. MRT ROI is responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting and completing all requests for health information. 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. This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, 3220 Deming Way, Middleton, WI 53562. The Medical Records Technician (MRT) - Release of Information (ROI) disclose health information in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, rules and regulations. MRT ROI is responsible for educating requestors on requirements for submitting and completing all requests for health information. GS-4 Release of Information MRT(Entry Level) 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 Release of Information MRT (Developmental Level): ROIs at this grade level serve in developmental positions and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex ROI procedures. GS-6 Release of Information MRT Full Performance Level): 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, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad Hoc 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. 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: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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). 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: 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. 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. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: 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.). Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for disclosing protected health information. Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues. Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. 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). GS-6 Level Experience: At least one full year of creditable experience as an MRT (ROI) to the next lower level (GS-5) which demonstrates the KSAs related to the duties of the position to be filled. Creditable experience must demonstrate skill in applying, interpreting, and analyzing laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information; educating requestors on requirements for submitting requests for health information; receiving and validating authorization forms and request; using various computer applications to track and release authorized ROI requests initiate and maintain the accounting of disclosure for records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records. In addition, you must have the ability to perform the following KSAs: Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 38 U.S.C. 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records); Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate, assemble, and disclose protected health information; Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information to process requests for release of information; Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health information in an accurate and timely manner. References: VA Handbook 5005/123, Part II, Appendix G59, Medical Record Technician (Release of Information) Qualification Standards, 12/10/2019. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 4 to GS 6. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability Work Environment: The work area is usually an adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated office or medical facility setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.