Fair Haven Community Health Care

FHCHC is a forward-thinking, dynamic, and exciting community health center that provides care for multiple generations at over 143,000 office visits in 21 locations. Overseen by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are patients themselves, we are proud to offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services, as well as evidence-based patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. As we grow and are able to bring high-quality health care to more areas that need access, we continue to put our patients first in everything we do. The mission of FHCHC is "To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive."

Job Purpose

The HIM Specialist is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, confidentiality, and secure handling of patient health records-both electronic and paper. This role involves maintaining medical records in compliance with healthcare regulations (HIPAA, Joint Commission), supporting audits, quality initiatives, and assisting with release of information processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the HIMM&PO the HIM Specialist will assist with the coordination of essential HIM functions and workflows. Typical duties include but not limited to:

• Coordinates the release of information (ROI) to patients, attorneys, and third parties following HIPAA guidelines, State and Federal regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely and accurate scanning and ROI turnaround times (TAT), according to HIPAA guidelines and departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains privacy, security, and confidentiality of patient health information in compliance with HIPAA regulation.
• Assists with training, orienting new HIM staff, and provide continuing education to existing staff as required.
• Reviews the work performed by others to assure the quality and consistency of the release of information function.
• Responds to record "audits" initiated by insurance carriers, governmental agencies or internal requestors.
• Audits documents scanned into EMR to ensure documents are legible and properly indexed for accurate retrieval; identifies and documents inaccuracies in accordance with established criteria; and recognizes trends in scanning errors.
• Provides customer service support for internal and external requests related to health records and HIM workflow.
• Gathers and generates reports from Epic on various department metrics for review by HIMM & PO; recommends processes and procedures to improve departmental performance.
• Cross-trains as back up for other positions as assigned.
• Completes special projects as assigned and other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Health Information Management or related field required (Bachelor degree preferred).
• Knowledge of HIPAA and other laws, statues and regulations pertaining to release of protected health information and electronic medical records experience required.
• Strong knowledge of medical records workflow and electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Skills and proficiency in the use of advanced spreadsheet, database and statistical software and Microsoft Office.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Excellent customer service skills. The ability to deal with public in pleasant and effective manner.
• The selected candidate will be confident working independently, taking the initiative, and have the ability to quickly adapt and learn in an ever-changing technical, contractual, and regulatory environment.

Direct Reports

• None

American with Disabilities Requirements: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.