Health Information Management Technician

$16.50 - $22.10 per hour / DOE

JOB PURPOSE:   The Health Information Management Technician serves in a support role as part of a team providing quality service to El Rio Health patients and internal/external clients of the Health Information Management Department. In this role the incumbent assists patients, internal/external clients, and staff members by performing assigned clerical and administrative duties, tasks, assignments, and services related to patient medical records at a location assigned by management. The defined duties and responsibilities for a Health Information Management Technician will comply with the regulations and requirements of the policies and procedures of El Rio Health.

An employee in this position works with general supervision and review, and any work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are presented to the supervisor for resolution.

The primary goal of the El Rio Health - Health Information Management Technician is to support El Rio’s Mission of providing comprehensive, quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all who may have healthcare needs, by successfully performing the primary essential functions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs and completes all clerical and administrative duties, tasks, responsibilities, and assignments within reasonable time frames while meeting established performance standards of quality, quantity, and productivity for the position, ensuring the highest standards of excellence and the lowest of error rates in work outcomes and performance.
• Maintains at all times patient confidentiality by controlling the environment and information being disclosed to authorized individuals ensuring compliance with all HIPAA and corporate compliance standards, as well as generally accepted confidentiality standards.
• Gains and maintains the knowledge, understanding, and technical skills to complete clerical and administrative duties, tasks, and assignments working with office equipment, operating systems, organizational programs and/or business software for medical records, such as:
  • Initiates and creates patient records; researches and resolves issues or problems with patient medical records, such as duplicate records or misplaced items.
  • Supports and assists end-users with navigating the electronic health record system or organizational programs and operating systems related to medical records.
  • Tracks, research, and ensures the complete processing of referrals on a daily basis.
  • Compiles and prepares medical record information for audit requests.
  • Reviews written request, research patient database, prints requested documentation and prepares items for distribution; supports onsite audits.
  • Performs reviews and maintenance processing that ensures the accuracy of patient medical records and optimal performance of the electronic health record system.
  • Performs the scanning, indexing, and data entry of medical records or documents into the electronic health record system in compliance with department policies and procedures.
• Follows established quality control processing to ensure accuracy and legibility of medical record information and content.
• Performs ongoing file maintenance processing for efficient system performance.
• Performs data entry and maintenance processing supporting the barcode tracking system for medical records which are onsite or in storage.
• Utilizes barcode technology and scanning equipment to record and track all medical record information.
• Follows established schedules and procedures for archiving and disposal of medical records.
• Operates general and specialized office equipment, such as: computers, copiers, multifunction printers, or scanners.
• Performs data entry for departmental spreadsheets ensuring effective and accurate operational use and reporting.
• Assists other staff members in the performance of their assignments and departmental operations supporting patients, employees, and internal/external clients or representatives.
•  Answers telephones, documents record requests, and retrieves or files medical records.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, infection prevention and control etc. for this position.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Certification (JCC) standards.
• Demonstrates an appropriate level of customer service; answering and responding to all incoming calls, emails, and inquiries in a timely and effective manner, responds to requests for support providing general information in response to inquiries; referring technical inquiries or complaints to the appropriate department member for resolution.
• Communicates effectively through written, verbal, and interpersonal skills as applied when interacting with patients or visitors, employees, and internal/external clients or representatives, successfully conveying and exchanging information in a positive manner.
• As a team player demonstrates self-initiative by being aware of the work environment in order to assist co-workers and others while maintaining and enhancing a respectful and positive attitude in the work environment.
• Serves as a positive and effective role model at all times.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D).
• One (1) year of experience working with medical records in a healthcare environment.

If applicable, equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, and must be directly related to the functions and responsibilities of the job

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:

• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers.
• Level I fingerprint clearance card: current valid and in good standing or have applied for it within seven working days after beginning employment.
• Employees in this position are required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday. If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver’s license and must comply with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities:

•   Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to speak, read and write in both languages

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

El Rio Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age 40 and over, disability, genetic information, military status, ancestry, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, will be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive.

El Rio Health is a Non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards.