HIM Representative Per Diem

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health brings together two award-winning health systems in Washington state  CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. As one integrated health system with the most patient access points in western Washington, our team includes 18,000 staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you will find the safest and highest quality of care provided by our expert, compassionate medical care team at 11 hospitals and nearly 300 sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region.  While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

This job is responsible for performing duties related to the receipt, intake, scanning, indexing, quality control, retrieval,
delivery and transfer of patient health and administrative information using an electronic medical records (EMR) system
and/or release of information (ROI) functions. Work is performed in compliance with established policies, procedures and
Federal and State regulations including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). An
incumbent follows proper channels of communication in handling daily and routine problems and recognizing issues that
need escalation to management.

Work requires knowledge of privacy/confidentiality practices, medical terminology and applicable State and Federal laws.
Effective performance requires strong customer service skills.

Performs documentation preparation and filing/retrieval procedures per established procedures; scans and
indexes medical records into the electronic medical record (EMR) system, including accurately entering,
directing and handling patient messaging.

• Receives, reviews, validates and processes medical information requests from patients, physicians/medical
  professionals, insurance companies and other third parties.
• Validates and assigns patient information to the appropriate category/level in the EMR medical record such as:
  patient identification, date of service and appropriate documentation type.
• Processes all requests for medical information in accordance with established procedures, policies and Federal and
  State regulations.
• Determines validity of authorizations to assure only authorized parties receive information.
• Responds to incoming phone calls for release of information requests and patient/provider/third party assistance.
• Prepares incoming correspondence for processing.
• Processes all requests from the Regional Billing Office for records to be sent to various insurance companies for
  charge reimbursement per policy.
• Communicates via work queues/phone to keeps customers apprised of request status and document imaging
  turnaround time.

Maintains electronic-based medical records and other correspondence according to policy, including faxing,
receiving and mailing medical records in accordance with HIPAA and other privacy guidelines.

• Maintains organization of information center and physical charts.
• Logs/scans release forms and details of request in the appropriate EMR module.
• Enters appropriate data in the EMR system Release of Information tracking module.
• Scans authorization forms into the EMR.
• Accesses/monitors EMR work queue to resolve outstanding matters such as: error correction, chart retrieval, release
  of information and related healthcare information functions.
• Copies records/files and carries out the transfer of medical information.
• Requests hard-copy records from outside facilities.
• Prepares electronic records for assigned clinics.
• Conducts routine quality audits of scanned and indexed documents to identify discrepancies to the FMG scanning matrix.
• Corrects erroneous scans per established policies and procedures to include poor quality scans, incorrect patient documentation, dates of service and sequence of consecutive documents.

Produces routine system reports demonstrating compliance with required completion timelines and quality
metrics.

Performs related duties as required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements:
One year work experience in healthcare, release of information or office setting.
Completion of medical record technology program or medical terminology and/or basic computer application courses
is preferred.

Job Knowledge/Abilities:

• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, Federal and State regulations pertaining to release of health information
  including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Knowledge of the meaning and usage of medical terminology, abbreviations and coding protocols (e.g., ICD-10)
  sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of electronic medical records filing systems sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to file and maintain patient records, files, reports and other correspondence.
• Ability to learn and apply policies and procedures applicable to the assigned work unit.
• Ability to file, proof and route office correspondence, reports, and forms.
• Ability to read, understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read, understand and accurately apply new regulations, business contracts, policies, procedures and
  technical manuals as appropriate within designated scope of position.
• Ability to rapidly prioritize tasks with accuracy and consistency, and to perform multiple activities simultaneously.
• Ability to apply existing procedures to similar situations and make appropriate choices from established
  guidelines/procedures.
• Ability to express ideas and convey information effectively in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to understand and utilize numerical, alphabetical and automated filing systems.
• Ability to use office equipment (copier, fax, pc etc.) and automated systems/applications/software at an
  acceptable level of proficiency.
• Ability to communicate effectively, maintain discretion with confidential data and sensitive information, and
  establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, staff and the public

We deliver inspired people to do meaningful work.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.