Summary This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of The Business Office Service Line,at the Newington VA Medical Center, in Newington Connecticut. This MRT (ROI-Legal) reviews and processes requests for patient protected health information (PHI). The MRT (ROI-Legal) also provides direct customer service to the Veteran or third party. Responsibilities MRTs at this grade level GS-07, will serve as primary points of contact and accurately process and respond timely to complex medical legal requests, including but not limited to subpoenas, depositions, testimony, and court orders for information from attorneys, courts, local law enforcement agencies or public defenders. Serve as liaisons to Regional Counsel and US Attorney's office for trial cases. Compile the legal health record. Extensively research and resolve conflicting or inconsistent information related to complex medical legal requests. Major duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent processes all incoming requests to the facility for Release of Information (ROI) along with information required by the VA Regional Office through the Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE). Searches records or files to compose responses, including electronic searches, to retrieve and summarize hard-to-locate data Processes medical legal releases of information to attorneys and courts pertaining to Tort Feasor (Third Party Liability), Workman's Compensation, Labor and Industries and subpoenas. Develops and prepares cases for release to Regional Counsel and other appropriate parties. Screens and follows through on all incoming telephone calls from attorneys and insurance representatives regarding legal cases and requests under the Privacy Act, referring only problem cases to the Supervisor. Maintains files for all Privacy Act requests and subpoena cases. Compiles tort cases for the Regional Office. Determines which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws. Interviews veterans and insurance agents requesting information for Third Party Liability, Workman's Compensation, and Privacy Act cases for referral to Medical Cost Recovery and/or the Regional Counsel's Office Evaluates validity of each request. Determines which information is to be released in compliance with existing laws (Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Receives and directs callers and visitors. Protects and maintains the privacy and confidentiality of printed and electronic files in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations on confidentiality such as the Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Freedom of Information Act. Work Schedule: 40 Hours a week, Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, EST Telework: Supervisors Discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Functional Statement Medical Records Technician (ROI) Legal GS-675-7 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notification Information: This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. This position is an Bargaining Unit Position. Veterans' Preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. MRTs (ROI) must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education: Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of health records. Six months of the required one year of creditable experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT (ROI) work. OR, Education. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health care, and introduction to health records). OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying towards meeting basic experience requirements. The following experience and educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience: (a) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology/health information management courses. OR, (b) Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, privacy and release of information, the health record, and successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision. The training program may be substituted on a month for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy and physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determination: Medical Records Technician (ROI-Legal), GS-07 (Full Performance Level) a. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the authorization and disclosure of health information. 2. Ability to apply laws and regulations related to the disclosure of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, HIPAA, and 38 USC 7332, Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records). 3. Ability to investigate the contents of paper and electronic health records and systems that contain health information to compile the legal health record based on existing standards and requirements. Preferred Experience: Experience with Medical Records and Release of Information duties. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Office setting; moderate lifting and carrying, 15-44 lbs., reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, standing 4-6 hours; hearing, aid permitted. Duties require extensive use of fingers to perform keyboarding and the ability to hear requests by phone and in person. Version must be adequate to read and prepare documents, or see See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.