For my friends from the recent HIMSS career workshop! - Dan.

MetroWest Medical Center

Framingham, Massachusetts

We are seeking a talented, experienced leader for the position of Director of Health Information Management.

The
MetroWest Medical Center is the largest healthcare system between
Worcester and Boston and is committed to meeting the health care needs
of the MetroWest region by providing advanced care with a community
touch. The 319-bed regional health care system includes Framingham
Union Hospital, Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick and the MetroWest
Wellness Center.

We are seeking a talented, experienced leader for the position of Director of Health Information Management.

GENERAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under
general supervision of the CFO, the Director of Health Information
Management is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and
controlling the activities of the Health Information Management staff
to provide efficient, effective and legally responsive medical records
systems. The Director of HIM ensures that the Hospitals medical records
are current, authenticated, legible, complete and maintained in a
secure and confidential manner.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.In
consultation with the CFO and staff, develops departmental short-and
long-term goals and plans to accomplish agreed-upon goals.

2.Develops,
secures approval for and administers a departmental budget which
provides for the attainment of agreed-upon goals in accordance with
approved plans.

3.Formulates policy for the department and
develops and administers procedures necessary to implement approved
policy. Interprets and enforces departmental and Hospital-wide policies
and procedures. Provides the overall direction necessary to ensure
efficient, effective, and legally responsive medical record services.
Is responsible for the development of Hospital-wide policy governing
medical record information release.

4.Hires, develops, evaluates
and disciplines the HIM staff. Develops function-specific orientation
and inservice training programs for departmental personnel. Establishes
standards for effective job performance and evaluates staff according
to such standards; delegates these responsibilities to supervisory
personnel as appropriate.

5.Assumes administrative
responsibility for the activities of personnel engaged in analyzing,
coding, assigning DRGs and maintaining a permanent medical record of
Hospital patients.

6.Is responsible for the development of an
effective department organizational structure, including: a) efficient
work flow patterns: b) established productivity standards; c)
delineation of duties and responsibilities; d) suitable staffing
levels; e) appropriate supervision: f) systems for the storage,
retrieval, and timely completion of records; g) systems for the release
of information; h) DRG management system; and i) systems for the timely
communication of pertinent information.

7.Is responsible for the
development, implementation, documentation, and monitoring of an
ongoing quality assessment program for areas of responsibility. Ensures
departmental compliance with guidelines and standards promulgated by
regulatory and accrediting agencies and that services provided comply
with accepted principles of medical management.

8.Develops,
administers, interprets, and evaluates a clinical, management, and
resource utilization statistical reporting service. Prepares or directs
the preparation of statistical reports for the Hospital, government
agencies, and others pertaining to Hospital services: e.g., occupancy
rates, daily census, average length of stay, DRGs, casemix, deaths, etc.

9.Is
responsible for the confidentiality of the medical record; answers
inquiries concerning information recorded in patient charts and makes
final decision regarding release of such information, utilizing
knowledge of the legal parameters governing the use, maintenance, and
release of clinical record information. Represents the Hospital in
court to answer medical record- related subpoenas.

10.Develops
medical record orientation and training programs for physicians;
provides assistance in the development of criteria and methodology for
evaluating the quality of medical care provided.

11.Serves as
resource for the dissemination of DRG information and proposed
regulatory changes. Monitors record documentation content relative to
established standards; informs Medical Staff committees and/or
Administration of potential problem areas.

12.Responds to
patient requests concerning verification of services rendered and
explains medical terminology. May coordinate with Business Office to
facilitate explanation of associated charges and billing practices and
procedures.

13.Participates on various Hospital committees and
in programs for safety, fire prevention, infection control, disaster,
etc. Develops department-specific plans for inclusion in these
Hospital-wide programs.

14.Serves as liaison between local,
regional, and national regulatory agencies, Hospital administration,
medical staff, and pertinent committees. Establishes and maintains the
working rapport with physicians and other departments necessary to
develop cooperation and effectively integrate departmental services
with the Hospitals overall patient care delivery system.

15.Receives
and investigates all complaints concerning the department and its
personnel; determines veracity of such and (as necessary) takes
corrective/disciplinary action and/or prepares reply.

16.Is
responsible for the care (handling and in-house servicing) and security
of departmental equipment and facilities; secures necessary repairs and
renovations. Evaluates products and equipment and determines their
viability for the Hospitals Health Information Services Department;
initiates requisition or capital equipment request for preferred
product(s). Is responsible for procuring and maintaining an inventory
of supplies and equipment adequate for efficient operations.

17.Remains
abreast of developments in the fields of medical record administration
and management by participating in professional organizations,
attending seminars, interacting with peers, reviewing pertinent
literature, etc. Integrates advancements when practicable and cost
effective.

18.Directs the preparation of departmental records as
well as recurring and special reports and analyses, ensuring that they
are complete, accurate, and prepared on time. Reviews and interprets
these in order to ascertain the extent to which departmental goals are
being attained; takes corrective action as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1.Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.

2.Current registration by the American Health Information Management.

3.Seven
to ten years of progressively more responsible experience in various
medical record and supervisory/managerial capacities within an acute
care hospital.

4.Working knowledge of 3M, ARMS, HER and EMR preferred.

5.Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to mentor, train and develop

6.Ability for strategic thinking and initiative

Qualified
candidates must possess a strong operational background, coding
experience (inpatient and outpatient) and keen financial acumen. Also
required is proven experience with department workflow re-design,
scanning and archiving.

MetroWest Medical Center offers an
excellent salary, including management incentive bonus, and a great
benefits package. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value
diversity in our workplace.

Apply here