HIM Specialist

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation's largest, community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology's mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. Tennessee Oncology is committed to advancing both the science of detection and targeted treatments, and to making these advances available to every patient. We believe caring for cancer patients is a privilege.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Job Description:

Tennessee Oncology's Mission and Values guides this professional in all aspects of this role. With oversight from the HIM Manager, the HIM Tech is responsible for providing excellent customer service to external and internal customers when responding to requests for information and disclosing patient records. This position provides patients with the service of tracking, follow-up and completion of FMLA documents, as well as, communicating the status of FMLA documentation with patients and their caretakers The HIM Tech answers phone calls, returns voice messages, and promptly responds to internal parties (e.g. Noona cases, tasks, and questions). Any disclosure of medical information will be thoroughly documented for Compliance tracking purposes. Disclosures of medical information will be in accordance with Privacy and Security Rules, (§ 45 CFR Part 160 and Part 164, Subparts A and C), and Tennessee Oncology's confidentiality, privacy, and security policies and procedures. Although this position is responsible primarily for outgoing transmission of patient information for continuity of care, they will be expected to perform other duties as assigned in the HIM Department. This role has an emphasis on excellent customer service and professional courteous manners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for tracking and follow up on all FMLA paperwork, regardless of clinic location. Will be the main contact person for questions regarding FMLA from patients or their representative and Tennessee Oncology staff.

• Assisting TENNESSEE ONCOLOGY clinics and office locations, patients, patient representatives, other health care facilities, or anyone else by appropriately accessing protected health information (PHI) and by copying, printing, faxing, emailing or helping with the receipt and disclosures of medical records.

• Acting as a patient advocate when assisting patients with medical records issues.

• Processing requests for ePHI from and to such sources as physicians, patients, and other health care facilities, as well as, attorneys, insurance companies, and state and federal agencies.

• Maintaining thorough knowledge of Tennessee state statutes, HIPAA privacy rules and Release of Information procedures and using keen judgment when releasing ePHI to requestors.

• Judging the legitimacy of each request and determining whether or not information can be released.

• Consulting with the HIM Manager or Privacy Officer on any uncommon or unfamiliar medical records request.

• Checking for properly executed authorization to release medical information.

• Accurately documenting requests and disclosures in the patient's medical record.

• Forward records requests for psychiatric, psychological, or substance use disorder to the HIM Manager.

• Immediately reporting all concerns / complaints of misdirected or inappropriately disclosed ePHI to the HIM Manager or Privacy Officer.

• Processing requests in terms of priority as well as efficiency.

• Having a clear understanding of when a request for information needs to be escalated and directing the request in a timely and efficient manner.

• Performing other job-related duties as assigned by your manager.

The above statements reflect the responsibilities considered essential to the job as identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all the work requirements inherent in the job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to independently work productively and effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Must desire to learn daily and expect and embrace changes

• Previous medical office experience and medical records experience

• Strong, above average computer skills including Windows file management and MS Office, and e-mail experience

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent customer service skills

• Dependable

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Preferred: Associates in health information management (HIM) or similar discipline. Experience may be equivalent to degree.

• Experience: 2-5 years of medical office or HIM experience required, preferably in release of information practices and functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Job Title: Release of Information Specialist

Physical Activity Required

Amount of time

None

Less than 1/3

(Occasionally)

1/3 to 2/3

(Frequently)

More than 2/3

(Regularly)

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Fingering or manual dexterity

X

Repetitive finger motion

X

Lifting or exerting force

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Reaching or stretching

X

Climbing or balancing

X

Crouching or stooping

X

Speaking

X

Hearing

X

Seeing (with correction)

X