Roi Services

Summary
The Medical Records Technician - Release of Information (ROI) serves in the Release of Information Health Information Management Section (HIMS) of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), and is under the supervision of the Assistant Chief, HIMS. Occupation involves technical work concerned with processing and maintenance of medical records. Work requires practical knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and legal requirements of the medical record.
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Duties
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Employees at grade GS-04 serve in entry level MRT (ROI) position and receive close supervision and support from more experienced ROI staff members.Other duties and responsibilities at the GS-04 entry grade level include, but are not limited to:

• Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI)
• Evaluating validity of each request; determining which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws (Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
• Receiving and directing callers and visitors
• Providing advisory and technical assistance to patients, administrative staff and professional staff regarding release of information
• Ensuring the information released is limited to what is specifically authorized and to the person or agency designated to receive it

Employees at grade GS-05 serve in developmental positions as MRTs (ROI) position and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex release of information procedures. The duties in this position are primarily advisory and technical in nature.
Other duties and responsibilities at the GS-05 developmental grade level include, but are not limited to:

• Applying public laws, rules, regulations and exclusions governing confidentiality of the medical record, including the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and 38 U.S.C. 7332 governing the release of records containing information regarding the treatment of or referral for drug and/or alcohol abuse, Sickle Cell Anemia and infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE)
• Reviewing paper and computerized health records (i.e., scanned notes, reports, special tests, etc.) to identify material to be photocopied/printed/written to electronic media and released
• Selecting and compiling information from health records and prepares correspondence, typically using standard form or standard formats for letters
• Completing and processing routine releases of information to other VA and Federal Agencies and when requested, to patients and their families, insurance representatives, physicians, hospitals, and city and state health agencies according to VA directives

Employees at grade GS-06 is considered the journey level for MRT (ROI) positions. Employees at this level apply, interpret, and analyze laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information.
Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Communicating with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical expertise regarding the release of information process
• Applying, interpreting, and analyzing laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information
• Balancing and coordinating medical record management/documentation to meet Federal and VA regulations, as well as goals of external accrediting bodies i.e. JCAHO, CARF, and others
• Processing all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE), referring only problem cases to the Supervisor
• Replying to vague, incomplete, or ambiguous inquires by independently recognizing issues, topics or problems; inquiries are usually presented by patients or third parties who are not sure what information they are looking for or do not know how to identify it by title

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Ad-Hoc Only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53943-F/53944-F/53945-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work.

Or

• An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).

Or

• Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience
  requirements. The following experience and educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience:
• (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management courses.
• (b) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision. The training program may be substituted on a month3 for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy and physiology, and health record techniques and procedures.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet one of the following grade requirements to qualify for a specific grade level.
GS-04: None beyond basic requirements, entry level.
GS-05:
(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level.
Or
(2) Education. Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software
products utilized in MRT (ROI) positions (e.g., the electronic health record,
release of information systems, etc.).
(b) Knowledge of health record documentation guidelines and processes for
disclosing protected health information.
(c) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties within
required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues.
(d) Knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and
release of information.
(e) Ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds to obtain the
desired effect or gaining information by establishing rapport.
GS-06: Full Performance Level
(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure
of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and 38 U.S.C. § 7332,
Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records).
(b) Ability to apply health record documentation guidelines and processes to
navigate efficiently through the paper and/or electronic health record to locate,
assemble, and disclose protected health information.
(c) Ability to apply policies, procedures, laws, and regulations governing privacy and
release of information to process requests for release of information.
(d) Ability to research and solve difficult questions related to release of health
information in an accurate and timely manner.
Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Prior work handling medical records
• Processing requests in accordance with HIPAA and VA regulations.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS06.
Physical Requirements: Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.
Education
An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records).
IMPORTANT: A