HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN, X10

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities related to preparing, classifying and abstracting medical reports in the medical records unit.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Reviews medical records for completeness and accuracy and refers incomplete or inaccurate reports to appropriate staff for correction.
• Prepares statistical, case and other types of reports.
• Prepares materials and forms and gathers all pertinent information and data for admissions and discharges.
• Ensures all data is properly coded.
• Abstracts charts and other patient data in order to respond to requests for information on patients; may make determinations on what materials can legally be released.
• Assists in the development of medical records policies and procedures.
• Reviews existing policies and procedures to ensure they are in compliance with federal and state laws and agency rules, regulations and policies.
• Insures the security and confidentiality of patient medical records.
• May supply requested information to courts and other judicial inquires.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Health Information Technician job family consists of three levels which are distinguished based on the level of complexity of specific job assignments, the extent of responsibility assigned for specific tasks, the level of expertise required for completion of assigned tasks, and the responsibility assigned for the leadership of others.

Level I                                     Code:  X10A                                         Salary Band:  G

This is the career level where incumbents prepare, classify and abstract medical records, performing assigned duties at the full performance level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of methods and techniques of medical records maintenance; of applicable federal and state laws and agency and facility policies and procedures; of current classification systems; of report writing techniques; and of medical terminology.  Ability is required to maintain medical records; to code data to records; to review medical records for completeness and accuracy; to prepare reports; to abstract information from records and other patient data; to present information effectively; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; and to utilize personal computers.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of eligibility for accreditation with the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT); or two years of experience working with patient records in a medical setting such as a hospital, state institution, medical clinic or a physician’s office.

Level II                                                Code:  X10B                                         Salary Band:  H

This is the leadership level where employees are assigned responsibilities involving the supervision of technical or clerical personnel in a medical records unit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of methods and techniques of medical records management; of applicable federal and state laws and agency and facility policies and procedures; of current classification systems; of report writing techniques; and of medical terminology.  Ability is required to maintain medical records; to code data to records; to review medical records for completeness and accuracy; to prepare reports; to abstract information from records and other patient data; to present information effectively; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to utilize personal computer; and to supervise the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of accreditation with the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and two years of experience in the medical records field; or eligibility for registration with the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA); or five years of experience working with patient records in a medical setting such as a hospital, state institution, medical clinic or a physician’s office.

Level III                                   Code:  X10C                                         Salary Band:  I

At this level incumbents plan, organize, and supervise the work of professional and clerical personnel in the maintenance of a medical records system; or provide professional consultative services to medical records units in health care facilities and/or state institutions on a statewide basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of methods and techniques of medical records management; of applicable federal and state laws and agency and facility policies and procedures; of current classification systems; of report writing techniques; and of medical terminology.  Ability is required to maintain a medical records system; to review medical records for completeness and accuracy; to prepare reports; to develop and interpret statistics; to plan and direct the activities of a medical records unit; to develop and present instructional materials; to present information clearly and concisely; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to supervise the work of others; and to manage a medical records system.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of registration as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) with the American Health Information Management Association and one year of experience in the Medical Records field or as a Medical Records Consultant; or accreditation as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) with the American Health Information Management Association and three years of experience in the Medical Records field or as a Medical Records Consultant.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS:

Based upon the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position being filled, a user agency may require accreditation with the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Technician (RHIT); or eligibility for registration as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).