HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN
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).