Does HIPAA require a privacy officer?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires every single medical practice, regardless of size or location, to have a designated HIPAA privacy officer. Usually, there is a designated employee for the position, but some small practices designate an existing employee to act as the privacy officer. Anyone in the practice can fill the role, from the doctor to the receptionist, but they must receive adequate training and be up to date on all requirements of HIPAA requirements. Compliance with HIPAA requires a privacy officer, but it does not require a full-time employee to fill the role.