Health Information Management Technician

The Health Information Management (HIM) Technician is responsible for analyzing, maintaining, and protecting medical records to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and hospital policies.

This role supports clinical staff, leadership, patients, and external requestors by maintaining medical record integrity, processing release of information (ROI) requests, and ensuring the confidentiality and appropriate disclosure of protected health information (PHI) in a behavioral health hospital setting. The technician also serves as a resource regarding documentation standards, privacy requirements, and proper use and disclosure of PHI.

Key responsibilities include:

• Analyze medical records for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with regulations and hospital policies.
• Assemble, maintain, scan, index, and perform quality review of paper and electronic medical records.
• Identify documentation deficiencies and coordinate corrections with physician and clinical staff.
• Monitor discharged patient records and track record completion using department systems.
• Process written and verbal ROI requests in compliance with HIPAA, CMIA, LPS, and hospital policy.
• Verify patient authorizations and ensure minimum necessary disclosure prior to releasing PHI.
• Respond to subpoenas, court orders, continuity-of-care requests, and other authorized disclosures.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of patient demographic, medical, and financial information.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, case management, and ancillary departments.
• Assist with audits, data validation, reporting, and accreditation or regulatory review activities.
• Participate in departmental meetings, training, and ongoing competency requirements related to health information systems, privacy, and regulatory compliance.