HIPAA COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST- 40010902

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary. The HIPAA Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the agency's compliance with federal and state privacy, confidentaility, and civil right regulations. This position monitors compliance with the Heatlh Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) supports privacy and security practices across programs, and assists with civil rights compliance including intake and review of discrimination complaints. The role provides guidance, training, and oversight to ensure staff understand and adhere to privacy, confidentiality,and nondiscrimination requirements within DSS.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Conducts investigations of HIPAA and Civil Rights violations.
• Completes all related paperwork and notifications related to investigations by established deadlines.
• Develops, initiates and tracks completion of HIPAA, Civil Rights, safety and other required training.
• Maintains and develops HIPAA policies and procedures by facilitating HIPAA workgroup meetings, creating drafts of new or revised policies and tracking their approval through all levels of agency leadership.
• Provides oversight of the use and completion of Business Associate Agreements for contractors.
• Coordinates and provides oversight of the semi-annual Risk Assessment by attending meetings, providing requested documentation, and creating and addressing identified deficiencies noted in the Risk Assessment.
• Collaborates with the County Associate Attorney and other county Privacy Officers to fulfill Federal compliance requirements.
• Conducts review of the application process and approval of all research proposals for the agency. Assist with development, review, and implemention of agency policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations, confidentiality standards, and civil rights requirments applicable to human services. 
• Knowledge of compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and investigate practices related to privacy incidents, and civil rights complaints.
• Skill in analyzing complex issues, conducting investigations, and documenting findings clearly and accurately.
• Skill in providing staff training and communicating regulatory requirements in a clear and practical manner.
• Ability to mantain strict confidentiality while collaborating effectively with staff and leadership to support compliance and risk mitigation. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree in human services criminal justice, or prelaw from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or a master's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.