Reference no: EM133095330

Scenario: The EHR was implemented by University Hospital two years ago and management of the HIM information systems was provided by the information services department. The individual that has been performing information technology functions in regards to the HIM systems is leaving the hospital and the HIM Director feels this is an opportunity to move the position into the HIM department. The HIM information systems maintained are: digital transcription, encoder and abstracting, ROI, and computer-assisted coding. After lengthy conversations between the IT Director and the HIM Director, it was agreed to move the position to the HIM department.

The Human Resources department posted a position internally but received no qualified applicants. The job was posted externally and there are three qualified applicants who meet the basic requirements of the position. The following resumes were screened by HR and meet the minimum requirements for the position: 

• Sally, a 28-year old Hispanic female who has worked with a health information systems vendor since graduating from a RHIT program five years ago. She has not specifically worked within the HIM department but she has worked with health information system installs at a variety of organizations. She is RHIT-eligible although she has not yet taken the RHIT exam. She does have several Health Information Technology Professional (HITPRO) certifications. Rhonda shared in her cover letter that she is a single parent and the caregiver for her elderly mother.
• Rick, a 55-year-old white male, recently graduated from the local community college with an associate's degree in health information technology. He passed the RHIT examination two months ago. Rick completed his practicum within the HIM department at University Hospital. He called in sick several times during his practicum because of chronic pulmonary issues. He was often late to work. Prior to obtaining his associate's degree, he has worked within the IT department of a large manufacturer for approximately ten years.
• Elizabeth is a 39-year-old female with a bachelor's degree in HIM and the RHIA credential. She has approximately ten years of experience as the coding manager at a large multi-specialty physician clinic. She recently relocated to town because of her husband's job transfer. She does not have much experience with IT other than coding products. Of note, her husband's best friend is the chief operating officer of University Hospital. He shared with the HIM director that Elizabeth has five children, ages 3, 6, 9, 10, and 12, who participate in many activities and her husband travels for his job so he is not home very often during the week.

Step 1:

Develop three interview questions to ask each candidate during a structured interview; each candidate will be asked the same three questions. Consider when developing these questions how to assess the candidates' actual computer technical skills in regards to maintaining HIM applications.

Step 2:

Identify, for each candidate, the topics that cannot be addressed during the interview process or considered when selecting an applicant for the position. Be sure to name the appropriate law which prohibits discussion of the topic.

Step 3: 

Based on the information above, which candidate should be hired and why? Choose among the three candidates; continuing to recruit for the position is not an option. Remember that all three candidates meet the minimum qualifications for the position.