Description

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a Health Records Technician 2 to join the Health Services team located at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, WA.

As the Health Records Department Supervisor, this position helps to ensure patient health records are managed in a way that supports the Health Services mission of delivering high-quality, efficient, and effective healthcare services, and employee engagement to improve lives in a safe and secure environment during the patient’s incarceration and after release, which increases the patient’s chances of succeeding upon reentry, directly contributing to the agency’s mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

The Washington Corrections Center (WCC) is a state prison for men, with an operating capacity of 1,268 incarcerated individuals. WCC includes the Reception Center in which all individuals entering the Washington State Prison System must pass through to be permanently assigned to their long-term care facility.

*The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. *

Duties

Duties:

• 
  Provide technical assistance and direction to facility staff regarding health records, disclosure of health information, and statewide health record unit processes.
• Represent the agency in court regarding health records.
• Health record management
• Ensure patient health records located in the facility comply with departmental policies and procedures and state and federal statutes.
• Maintain health records in a way that is conducive to patient care, including thinning charts when needed by visual inspection or request and merging multiple volumes when needed to ensure health care providers are able to easily locate pertinent information, ensuring all necessary forms are available for use, filing documents into chart or overflow envelopes, and performing routine audits.
• Use facility health record tracking system when removing charts from the unit.
• Prepare health records for intake, transfer, and release.
• Prepare inactive health records for permanent storage.
• Be an active member of the Health Record Management Committee.
• Disclosure, dissemination, and procurement of health information
• Review and process records requests of patient medical, dental, and mental health care information within 15 working days or less of receiving following health record procedures.
• Review and process Department staff requests for patient health information by the date requested following health record procedures.
• Review and process patient requests to review their health record within 15 working days or less of receiving following health record procedures.
• Make determinations to allow or deny requests in accordance with the Washington State Uniform Health Care Information Act (RCW 70.02) and federal laws.
• Supervise Health Records Department employees
• Manage and direct operations and performances of Health Records Department staff, including assign and inspect work.
• Communicate with Health Services Manager regarding Health Records Department performance. Request guidance and assistance when necessary.
• Review/complete Health Record Department position descriptions (PDs) as well as annual performance development plan (PDP) expectations and evaluations for each employee.
• Provide ongoing meaningful feedback regarding performance and set clear expectations to help and enhance skills.
• Perform formal health record audits.
• Review health records for listed deficiencies.
• Complete the Health Record Audit for Permanent Facility and/or Health Record Audit for Reception Center form.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 
  Certification by the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
• Two years’ experience working with medical and/or mental health treatment records.
• One year experience supervising or leading staff
• Valid driver license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years or more experience in Health Information Management.
• Current on state and federal laws, national standards, and department policies governing health records and health information disclosure and ability to apply that knowledge in an appropriate manner.
• Experience working in a correctional facility.

Supplemental Information

COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement:

• 
  Employees of the WA State Department of Corrections (DOC) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet this requirement due to a medical or religious necessity.

References:

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application.
• A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
• Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

Additional Information:

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.

What We Offer:
As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacation days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email nicholas.epps@doc1.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.