What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Records Compliance Specialist position at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care?
Founded in 1982 as Joliet Area Community Hospice, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider licensed in 11 counties in northwest Illinois. We provide exceptional serious illness care, hospice care and grief support for adults and children.
The majority of our direct patient care is in the field with Lightways team members providing care in the home, nursing facility or assisted living facility. We also have a 24-bed inpatient unit in Joliet. Non-clinical staff are based out of our Joliet administrative offices.
Medical Records Compliance Specialist:
The Medical Records Compliance Specialist is responsible as a member of the Quality and Compliance Department to manage medical records processes that ensure regulatory compliance, documentation accuracy and risk mitigation. This role is responsible for maintaining complete and timely patient records, coordinating documentation for audits and billing, and facilitating internal and external record requests in alignment with hospice standards and accreditation requirements. This position will work a minimum of 20 hours per week up to 30 during normal business hours 8 am- 4:30 pm.
Key Responsibilities:
The majority of our direct patient care is in the field with Lightways team members providing care in the home, nursing facility or assisted living facility. We also have a 24-bed inpatient unit in Joliet. Non-clinical staff are based out of our Joliet administrative offices.
Medical Records Compliance Specialist:
The Medical Records Compliance Specialist is responsible as a member of the Quality and Compliance Department to manage medical records processes that ensure regulatory compliance, documentation accuracy and risk mitigation. This role is responsible for maintaining complete and timely patient records, coordinating documentation for audits and billing, and facilitating internal and external record requests in alignment with hospice standards and accreditation requirements. This position will work a minimum of 20 hours per week up to 30 during normal business hours 8 am- 4:30 pm.
Key Responsibilities:
- Chart Auditing & Compliance: Conduct daily chart audits to identify and resolve missing or incomplete documentation; collaborate closely with Quality Compliance nurses to ensure all records meet regulatory standards and support audit readiness.
- End-to-End Medical Records Management: Oversee the entire patient care record lifecycle—including initial preparation, tracking electronic consents, ongoing updates, secure closure, and compliant retention or disposal.
- Provider Coordination & Documentation Routing: Manage the tracking, verification, and uploading of Plans of Care, verbal orders, and external medical records; maintain accurate physician contact data to ensure seamless communication routing.
- Release of Information (ROI) & Record Requests: Process and respond to internal and external medical record requests efficiently, ensuring proper authorization, timely delivery, and strict adherence to privacy policies.
- Post-Mortem Care Coordination: Prepare and submit state-required death certification documents, managing time-sensitive coordination and record requests with funeral homes, coroners, and residential facilities.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
- Minimum of one year’s experience in health care; palliative or hospice experience preferred.