Health Information Management Specialist II

National Jewish Health is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Health Information Management Specialist II to join the Health Information Management team. This role is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronic health information while supporting release of information, document imaging and record management activities. The ideal candidate enjoys working with detailed information, navigating healthcare documentation requirements and providing excellent service to patients, providers and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Processes release of information requests, patient access requests and continuity of care documentation in accordance with HIPAA, state and federal regulations
• Reviews, tracks and prioritizes medical record requests to ensure timely and accurate fulfillment
• Maintains electronic health records and supports document imaging, indexing and record management activities
• Serves as a resource for patients, providers, attorneys and third-party requestors regarding health information requests
• Performs quality reviews to ensure accuracy, confidentiality and compliance with established policies and procedures

National Jewish Health is the nation's leading respiratory hospital, recognized for excellence in patient care, research and education. As part of the Health Information Management team, the eHIM Specialist II plays an important role in safeguarding protected health information and ensuring the accurate and timely exchange of medical records. This position offers the opportunity to work with electronic health information systems while supporting patient care, regulatory compliance and organizational operations.

Position Summary: Performs health information activities necessary to organize, maintain, and use electronic patient health records. This position will process and/or provide electronic health information to various customers in a timely manner and maintain paper, electronic, and verbally protected health information in a confidential manner and a secure environment. Performs functions related to document imaging, reception and release of information duties.

Essential Duties

• Safeguards and protects the patient's right to privacy by ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to the patient's medical information and that all releases of information are in compliance with the request, authorization, company policy and HIPAA regulations.
• Ensures compliance with guidelines/requirements related to patient confidentiality and release of information according to established policy and procedures.
• Reviews inbound fax queues to identify release of information requests and level of processing priority.
• Performs release of information on continuum of care and patient access requests. Processes patient access requests received via the patient portal. Reviews the request for appropriate authorization and responds as appropriate to the requestor for additional information as needed. Coordinates release of information of all third party requester through the applicable release of information vendor.
• Ensures all medical record requests are logged with accuracy and required details to process the request through the electronic medical record. Maintains patient access requests within the guidelines provided regardless of format of submission (authorization for release of information and/or patient portal).
• Monitors and prioritizes release of information requests and retrieves patient information from various archival systems. Electronically tracks and delivers medical records in accordance with established department workflows. Process requests in a timely and efficient manner within established timeline standards while maintaining quality and accuracy. Work is extremely detailed and requires a high rate of accuracy in order to meet legal requirements.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of all applicable state and federal laws as they relate to release of protected health information, HIPAA Privacy and Security regulations, as well as enterprise policies and procedures pertaining to the release of protected health information. Ensure all disclosures are documented and in compliance. Interpret and adhere to legal requirements and established procedures that govern release of information.
• Acts as a liaison between the institution’s physicians and outside attorneys when needed. Communicates with National Jewish Health administration when increased support is needed via National Jewish Health attorneys.
• Performs self-quality checks on all work to ensure the accuracy of the release, confidentiality, and proper billing/charging.
• Utilizes a wide variety of software and applications in order to fulfill requests.
• Responsible for answering the phone, and providing customer service. Sorting and distributing mail and/or faxes. Assists in new employee orientation. Participates in problem-solving, be empowered to expedite decisions, explore and recommend options, and follow up on outstanding issues related to their work.
• Collaborates with HIM Management to identify and support quality and performance improvement initiatives. Meets and maintains productivity standards and competencies.
• Ensures accurate and efficient processing of outgoing referrals and additional support documentation needed to ensure timely scheduling activities are coordinated on behalf of the organization.
• Submits daily productivity statistics and performs quality assurance as requested.

Other Duties

• Reviews and processes incoming messages on a routine basis.
• May perform other duties as assigned to support business needs, including acting as support for the Electronic Health Information Management Specialist I as needed.

Competencies

• Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
• Adaptability: Maintain a perspective that is ready to change if needed for the common good of the work goals, including adjusting to new work structures and technologies, processes, job requirements, or cultures. Able to do other department job duties as needed or requested and willing to learn those functions.
• Collaboration/Teamwork: Mindful of the common goals of the team and National Jewish Health in regard to applying skill and knowledge to create a team that is friendly and cooperative. Helping each other reach desired goals.
• Customer Focus: Apply skill and knowledge to create satisfaction for physician and others on an ongoing basis without being reactive but pro-active to solve challenges. This includes a great and can do attitude.
• Initiative: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility: None

Travel: None

Core Values

• Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
• Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
• Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
• Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
• Promotes a workplace culture based on mutual respect and merit, where all individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunity to contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.
• Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Work Experience: 2 years of office experience or 1 year experience in a healthcare setting required. Prior experience in HIM Department related to record maintenance completion or release of information preferred. Basic computer skills/experience.
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel preferred. AHIMA-credentialed applicants (RHIA or RHIT credential) preferred

Salary Range: $20.69 - $27.36

Benefits

At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives: Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance: Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance: Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits: Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.