HIM Technician 3 (H)

Health Information Technician III

The University of Miami/UHealth Department of Health Information Management has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Health Information Technician III to work remotely. The HIM technician III has expert level healthcare medical record processing skills with knowledge and ability to process release of information requests to all requestors, both internal and external in accordance with regulatory guidance in both paper and electronic formats. The incumbent has broad spectrum of knowledge of health information management functions such as document imaging, deficiency tracking, chart completion and skills to utilize technology to provide a comprehensive record set, upon request.

Core responsibilities include:

• Understands the required elements of a compliant authorization for release of information.
• Understands requirements of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the concept of Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations (TPO) as it relates to release of information and disclosure management.
• Understands the process for secure electronic transmission of protected health information (e.g., encrypted emails, faxes, etc.) and applies best practice.
• Identifies and validates restrictions on protected health information. Differentiates between individual patient rights versus the rights of an authorized recipient.
• Differentiates between primary and secondary systems (e.g., legacy/historical systems) to understand how information is retrieved to complete a disclosure of protected health information.
• Identifies and correctly applies retention requirements for request processing understanding the role of the information blocking regulation and information blocking exceptions when limiting factors apply.
• Applies fee schedules as per policy, procedure, rules, and other guidelines.
• Understands actions required to include elements of electronic discovery (e-discovery).
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department specific functions include:

• Creates, processes, and fulfills release of information requests as assigned (35-60 requests/day) with 95-100% accuracy.
• Participates in workflows to prioritize requests by requestor type to ensure internal departmental deadlines are met (turnaround times 24-48 hours depending on request type).
• Follows processes and methods to ensure fulfillment of routine and non-routine disclosures in accordance with regulatory requirements. Recognize deficiencies within a record and/or sensitive information to ensure records are not inappropriately released. Reviews patient FYI flags and chart advisories as appropriate.
• Processes release of information requests efficiently and accurately by selecting components of the medical records that are commonly requested (e.g., history and physical, operative report, and/or discharge summary).
• Applies critical analysis of advanced care planning documentation (healthcare surrogate and/or living wills) to support patient preferences for end-of-life care and integration within the patient's medical record.
• Assigns documentation to the correct patient, encounter level, document type, physician, and location in the medical record.
• Ensures high level confidentiality processes with the ability to communicate to patients and/or representatives' ways to gain access to their medical information. This may include collaboration with other departments such as the Central Business Office, Patient Access, Information Technology and internal clinical teams.
• Achieves and maintains departmental quality and productivity expectations.

Core qualifications include:

• High school diploma. Associate level degree in relevant field (preferred)
• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant experience
• RHIT or RHIA preferred.
• Ability to maintain strong, positive customer service relationships under pressure and to communicate effectively and to provide instruction to customers and patients.
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to process and manage confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.

Any relevant education, certifications and/or work experience may be considered.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.