Health Information Management (HIM) Specialist

Fair Haven Community Health Care  For over 54 years, FHCHC has been an innovative and vibrant community health center, catering to multiple generations with over 165,000 office visits across 21 locations.

Guided by a Board of Directors, most of whom are patients themselves, we take pride in being a healthcare leader dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable medical and dental care to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Our extensive range of primary and specialty care services, along with evidence-based programs, empowers patients to make informed choices about their health.

As we expand our reach to underserved areas, our commitment to prioritizing patient needs remains unwavering.

FHCHC's mission is to enhance the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, and culturally responsive patient-centered care.

Job purpose The HIM Specialist is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, confidentiality, and secure handling of patient health records-both electronic and paper.  This role involves maintaining medical records in compliance with healthcare regulations (HIPAA, Joint Commission), supporting audits, quality initiatives, and assisting with release of information processes.

Duties and responsibilities Reporting to the HIMM&PO the HIM Specialist will assist with the coordination of essential HIM functions and workflows.

Typical duties include but not limited to :

• Coordinates the release of information (ROI) to patients, attorneys, and third parties following HIPAA guidelines, State and Federal regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely and accurate scanning and ROI turnaround times (TAT), according to HIPAA guidelines and departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains privacy, security, and confidentiality of patient health information in compliance with HIPAA regulation.
• Assists with training, orienting new HIM staff, and provide continuing education to existing staff as required.
• Reviews the work performed by others to assure the quality and consistency of the release of information function.
• Responds to record “audits” initiated by insurance carriers, governmental agencies or internal requestors.
• Audits documents scanned into EMR to ensure documents are legible and properly indexed for accurate retrieval; identifies and documents inaccuracies in accordance with established criteria; and recognizes trends in scanning errors.
• Provides customer service support for internal and external requests related to health records and HIM workflow.  Gathers and generates reports from Epic on various department metrics for review by HIMM & PO; recommends processes and procedures to improve departmental performance.
• Cross-trains as back up for other positions as assigned.
• Completes special projects as assigned and other duties as required.
• Qualifications Associate’s degree in Health Information Management or related field required; two years of related experience preferred. (Bachelor degree preferred).
• Knowledge of HIPAA and other laws, statues and regulations pertaining to release of protected health information and electronic medical records experience required.
• Strong knowledge of medical records workflow and electronic medical record (EMR) systems required.
• Skills and proficiency in the use of advanced spreadsheet, database and statistical software and Microsoft Office required.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• The ability to deal with public in pleasant and effective manner.
• The selected candidate will be confident working independently, taking the initiative, and have the ability to quickly adapt and learn in an ever-changing technical, contractual, and regulatory environment.
• Please note candidates must be able to commute to our New Haven and Branford, Connecticut Offices.

American with Disabilities Requirements :