Essential Job Functions:

• Directly manages the teams that oversee the health record analysts, document management, release of information specialists and student workers.

• Manages, monitors and maintains the transcription, voice recognition and storage vendor relationships.  Including productivity and ability to deliver to organization standards and contract requirement. 

• Develops and monitors budgets for the health information management, areas of responsibility including release of information, scanning, analysis, transcription, voice recognition and storage. Analyzes cost expenditures relating to HIM department budget and recommends and implements methods to limit and/or reduce expenditures.

• Ensure compliance with applicable standards including accrediting bodies, TJC, CMS and IDPH and state and federal laws as it relates to areas of responsibility. 

• Lead team in changes that support HIM best practices in electronic records management, legal records and privacy and security of records. Adapt workflows to support industry changes.  

• Directs court ordered medical records releases, subpoenas, and ensures that in person/video court orders and/or depositions are carried out.

• Partners with Application and Network Services staff to design, implement and maintain various information systems that support medical records such as dictation, voice recognition, document imaging and the electronic medical record. 

• Participates in system upgrades as advisor and SME, review documentation, test system performance, monitor issues list and work on resolution with Application Staff, provide training to staff on new functionality. 

• Coordinate, lead, and directly work as a member of hospital committees and workgroups that require HIM representation.

• Ensures customer, both internal and external, satisfaction by aligning customer needs and daily work.

• Document processes, policies, workflows and keep other education resources updated. 

• Collaborate and work with physicians, operation managers and staff to improve HIM practices through reporting and monitoring, sharing of data, educating on key HIM functions. 

• Monitors reports related to hospital initiatives or service delivery. Identify trends/areas of concern.

• Performs quality audits ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and key performance indicators. 

• Handle complex customer issues/complaints that cannot be handled by staff (e.g. custody issues, requests for record restrictions, etc) 

• Works with other hospital leadership to trouble shoot and resolve issues (e.g. Risk Management to resolve a release issues, Division Head to resolve a delinquent record issue or a scanning concern).

• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration or related field required.  A combination of education and/or experience may be considered when the experience is directly related to the functions of the role.

• A minimum of 3 years of health information management experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

• Strong broad-based HIM knowledge, full understanding state and federal laws and regulations governing disclosure of protected health information.

• Management experience preferred.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff.

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to handle complex patient, provider and staff issues, escalating appropriately. 

• Ability to work independently in a time-oriented environment.