Health Information Management, HIM, Specialist

• Rockford, Illinois
• 40 hours/week, Full-Time
• Benfitis Eligible

The HIM Specialist performs and coordinates all electronic health record documentation reviews as required by Joint Commission, CMS and Medical Staff Rules and Regs to enhance the quality and completeness of documentation. Coordinate Medical Record Committee meetings and present documentation review findings. Oversee release of information (ROI), amendment requests, partner subpoena for deposition functions and document correction workflows. Assume responsibility for department in absence of HIM Supervisor/Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinates and performs Point of Care medical record documentation audits to meet Joint Commission, CMS and Medical Staff Rules and Regs standards. Generates reports needed, verifies data and distributes/presents results to appropriate committees, physicians, and staff. Develops and implements action plans and process improvement activities, as needed.

* Coordinates Record Committee meetings in conjunction with the physician chairperson. Prepares agenda, writes letters and minutes, performs necessary follow-up and maintains documentation of all actions.

* Prepares training material and provides education to HIM staff, as well as other departments, regarding health information management, release of information, Joint Commission standards, Epic EMR, OnBase and Solarity scanning and indexing, document corrections, documentation completion guidelines, provider database maintenance, etc. Prepares orientation materials and conducts new employee, medical staff, and student orientations.

* Oversees all activities related to forms control. Ensures all new forms meet policy standards, identifies where the form is filed in the chart, assigns the form number, obtains translations if needed, ensures proper layout and works with the appropriate printing source. Uploads completed and approved form to the Forms Repository. Serves as liaison with clinical departments to ensure accurate use of the form and assists with any revisions.

* Prepares Medical Staff Rules and Regs revision requests to be presented to MEC. Consults with legal counsel, compliance officer, medical staff and other staff concerning revisions.

* Oversees and coordinates the ROI function with the contracted ROI service. Serves as liaison with staff, legal counsel and Risk Management regarding ROI, LMR, and other compliance related issues. Coordinates record release for audits.

* Oversees and coordinates requests for patient amendments and partner subpoenas for depositions.

* Coordinates and performs the Epic and OnBase document correction workflows.

* Coordinates and performs system-wide Epic provider maintenance regarding provider on the fly and associated WQ. Works with departments and external offices and databases to verify accuracy of assigned providers and/or to identify the correct provider and demographic information.

* Perform quality reviews on scanned and indexed documents. Make corrections as needed and log errors to provide feedback/education to the scanner/indexer.

* Assists with legal issues regarding patient records, subpoenas and court orders.

* When applicable, reviews, certifies, and when necessary, obtains notarization for release of information.

* Represents HIM at legal hearings when required by subpoena.

* Writes, revises, and maintains department, hospital, and system administrative policies and procedures.

* Supports and assists in all facets of department operations. Assumes supervisory responsibilities in the absence of department leadership.

Other Competencies - Collects, researches and analyzes data; Designs work flows and procedures;

Demonstrates attention to detail; Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Develops & coordinates projects, completes them on time and within budget; Writes clearly and informatively; Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Works with integrity and ethically; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Manages competing demands; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Develops innovative approaches and ideas.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Associate's Degree in Health Information Technology or Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management or related field.

6 years progressively more responsible work experience in the health information management or related field.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

Current registration with AHIMA; RHIA or RHIT preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Passing the Driver's License Check and/or Credit Check (for those positions requiring).

Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.

Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially with internal and external providers, patients and partners from other clinical areas and departments. Ability to read and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write/document procedure manuals, workflow processes and training materials. Ability to effectively prepare and present materials for training and presentations to individuals and groups.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages and volume.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel preferred, and word processing software, Microsoft Word preferred. Knowledge of patient information systems, 3M encoder, and report writing systems preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Occupational Exposure: Category C - No partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

INFORMATION ACCESS

Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties.

WORK CONTACT GROUP

Partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors

SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to sit, handle, finger, feel, twist at the waist, lift up to 10 lbs from the floor up, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, climb, bend, squat, crouch, balance, and lift up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include frequent close vision and occasional distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION

Assumes supervisory responsibilities in the absence of department leadership and with charge responsibilities on an ongoing basis which may include: training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Mercyhealth offers a generous total rewards package to eligible employees including, but not limited to:

* Comprehensive Benefits Package: Mercyhealth offers a retirement plan with competitive matching contribution, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options, life and disability coverage, access to flexible spending plans, and a variety of other discounted voluntary benefit options.

* Competitive Compensation: Mercyhealth offers market competitive rates of pay and participates in various shift differential and special pay incentive programs.

* Paid Time Off: Mercyhealth offers a generous paid time off plan, which increases with milestone anniversaries, to allow employees the opportunity for a great work-life balance.

* Career Advancement: Mercyhealth offers a number of educational assistance programs and career ladders to support employees in their educational journey and advancement within Mercyhealth.

* Employee Wellbeing: Mercyhealth has a focus on wellbeing for employees across the organization and offers a number of tools and resources, such as an employer-sponsored health risk assessment and a Wellbeing mobile application, to assist employees on their wellbeing journey.

* Additional Benefits: Mercyhealth employees have access to our internal and external employee assistance programs, employee-only discount packages, paid parental and caregiver leaves, on-demand pay, special payment programs for patient services, and financial education to help with retirement planning.