Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the VA Illiana Health Care System. The Medical Records Technician (MRT) Release of Information (ROI)- Legal clerk reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI). The MRT ROI- Legal clerk also provides direct customer service to the Veteran, 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. Responsibilities Serves as point of contact to accurately process and timely respond to complex legal requests, including, but not limited to, subpoenas, depositions, testimony, tortfeasor (Third Party Liability), Workers' Compensation, Labor and Industries, and court orders for information from attorneys, courts, local law enforcement agencies, public defenders, or insurance agencies. Processes requests for Social Security Administration. Screens and follows through on all incoming telephone calls from attorneys and insurance representatives regarding legal cases and requests under the Privacy Act, referring only problem cases to the Supervisor. Reviews and analyzes written and telephone requests to ascertain type of case to be developed. Serves as a liaison to Regional Counsels and U.S. Attorney's offices for requests for medical records for trial cases. Contacts attorneys when necessary to obtain additional information. Compiles tort cases for the Regional Office. This requires extensive investigations to track down x-rays and health records to compile a complete health record. Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches, to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data. Locates materials that would verify information given. Reviews paper and computerized health records (i.e., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media and released. Ensures all disclosures are made in compliance with existing policies, procedures, guidelines, laws and regulations. Maintains an accounting of disclosure for all legal cases. Compiles the legal health record and provide advisory and technical assistance to patients and internal and external stakeholders pertaining to medical legal requests. Conducts research to resolve conflicting or inconsistent information related to complex medical legal requests. All other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. 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. 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 BASIC REQUIREMENTS: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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 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 for-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. GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, one must have the required specialized experience in order to qualify for this position. GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Experience at this level includes: 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 requests for information and prioritize requests according to policies and regulations. Using various computer applications to track and releasing all authorized release of information requests. Releasing health information to authorized first- and third party requestors. Initiating and maintaining the accounting of disclosure for all records disclosed from a Privacy Act system of records. Communicating with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process. Ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and release of information. AND In addition to the experience above, the employee must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (a) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information. (b) Ability to apply laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, HIPAA, and 38 U.S.C. § 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records). (c) Ability to investigate the contents of paper and electronic health records and systems that contain health information to compile the legal health record based on existing standards and requirements. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G58. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Education 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.