Responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the Health Information Management (HIM) program for a California Critical Access Hospital, including related rural health clinic or outpatient operations as applicable.
Ensures the integrity, availability, confidentiality, security, retention, and appropriate disclosure of health information. Supports accurate and timely clinical documentation, coding, billing, and quality reporting, while maintaining readiness for regulatory, accreditation, payer, and privacy compliance reviews.
Serves as the designated Privacy Officer and leads the privacy-compliance program for the hospital and affiliated operations. Develops and maintains privacy policies, investigates potential privacy incidents and breaches, coordinates required notifications and corrective actions, and serves as a resource for workforce members, medical staff, leadership, business associates, and patients regarding the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI).
Provides leadership for HIM operations, release of information, record completion, documentation quality, auditing, retention, and privacy compliance while working closely with Revenue Cycle, Nursing, Medical Staff, Quality, Risk Management, Compliance, IT, Human Resources, Legal Counsel, and executive leadership.
Education
- Associate degree or higher in Health Information Management, Health Information Technology, Health Informatics, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Business Administration, or a closely related field required
- Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management, Health Informatics, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred
Certification
- Current RHIT or RHIA credential required
- CCS, CCS-P, CHPS, CHC, or other relevant HIM/privacy/compliance credential preferred
- Credentials must remain active throughout employment
Experience
- At least 3 years of progressively responsible HIM, medical records, clinical documentation, coding, revenue cycle, privacy, compliance, or closely related healthcare experience required
- At least 2 years of supervisory, lead, coordinator, or management experience in HIM or a closely related healthcare operational function required
- Experience in an acute-care hospital, Critical Access Hospital, rural hospital, rural health clinic, or integrated hospital/clinic system preferred
- Experience with EHRs, document-imaging systems, electronic ROI workflows, coding systems, deficiency-management tools, privacy access auditing, and data-reporting tools required
- Demonstrated experience with medical-record completion, ROI, coding/documentation audits, record-retention practices, privacy investigations, or HIPAA compliance required
- California hospital regulatory experience, CDPH surveys, CMS Conditions of Participation, medical-staff documentation requirements, and payer or government audits preferred
Skills and abilities
- Knowledge of HIM principles, medical-record content and completion standards, clinical documentation, coding processes, reimbursement requirements, record retention, ROI, and information governance
- Knowledge of HIPAA, HITECH, CMIA, applicable California Health and Safety Code and Title 22 provisions, 42 CFR Part 2 when applicable, and Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation
- Ability to investigate concerns objectively, document facts, protect confidentiality, assess risk, and escalate issues appropriately
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple urgent and routine responsibilities while meeting deadlines
- Ability to supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop staff and maintain productive working relationships
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and EHR/HIM systems
Language and physical requirements
- Proficient in English, written and spoken, required
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
- Must be able to sit up to 6 hours, stand/walk up to 2 hours, lift and push up to 10 pounds, and use hands repetitively for 6 hours or more
Location
California, US
Employment Type
Full-time
Experience Level
Manager
Remote work allowed
No
Posted
1 month ago