Terminated for a Hippa violation
I worked for a mental health agency for 16 years and was recently laid off for a Hippa Violation. In the 16 yrs that I was there I may have received 3 raises, 1 I had to pay back, in 16 yrs I was written up 1 time. So heres what happened, I read an assessment in a persons chart that had been closed for 2 yrs, I had a personal relationship with this person (I have known this person since high school so no it wasnt like I was dating someone that was a client), because of that I was terminated. Now thinking, I did have his verbal permission to be in his chart, I wasnt thinking at the time to have him sign a release. Ive applied and had a few interviews at other healthcare places and feel qualified for, but feel like Im not getting hired because of the hippa violation. How can I approach this1 bad thing in 16 years into a learning experience so that other employers will hire me? I also believe that the manager didn't like me for some reason, another person was terminated the same day, and think another was suppose to also, but they didn't get any dirt on her.
Please help Im a single parent and realy need this job!
Legally employers are only able to state that you were employed from hire date to termination date. You might need to obtain legal counsel regarding this.
Nobody is Perfect...if it was only one time they could have given you a second chance. Keep your head up!
Omg how did u slip up lik dat n what were u thinkn? Some of da best intentions have da worst outcomes, facts. And da sad part about it iz u may b a good person at heart but you've ben reported, for hippa violation.
I also work in health care and HIPPA violations are a serious matter,especially for the organization. When it comes to HIPPA a patient needs to give written consent because verbal consent is where the patient could say I don't give consent. The violation I see is the person had not been a patient for two yrs so there was no purpose to look into the chart. HIPPA violations does follow you.
I also work in health care and HIPPA violations are a serious matter,especially for the organization. When it comes to HIPPA a patient needs to give written consent because verbal consent is where the patient could say I don't give consent. The violation I see is the person had not been a patient for two yrs so there was no purpose to look into the chart. HIPPA violations does follow you.
Sign up for a class regarding hippa. I think you can even works towards certification. Turn your mistake into learning. It was a violation. There are clear laws n guidelines. You you just need more exposure to them. After completing that experience -and armed with knowledge -you will own your interviews. You need a job. And you have had a long career and years to add. Good luck.
Dear Jullian,
This is a bad story. I would hire a lawyer, the first consultation is always free. If he thinks that this was not a cause for termination you can file a wrongful termination suit. I was once in a hospital, and the nurse (he was a man and got interested in me as a women and he looked at my chart...), he was not terminated. There are so many jobs available, especially in the mental health system that you will find a job. The bad news is that whenever I applied for a job there always was a question whether I was terminated, I was not, but unfortunately this question is there. That why I suggest to at least consult an employment lawyer. You always can write to me: jpjuditp1@gmail.com
But to write up a memo and list events in chronological order will help, for you and I would try to collect every information
I live in Maryland. -Judit
I am sorry to hear that you have been let go. It is unfortunate but you did violate HIPPA regulations. The fact that you have the experience in this field and still caused the violation is what may be a difficult pill to swallow. A novice person with less than 1 year experience would more than likely be explainable.
The first thing that needs to happen is that you need to own your mistake and educate yourself to ensure that you have full understanding of HIPPA law and regulations.
The next time you are given an opportunity and will be given an opportunity you will need to ensure yourself as well as the employer that you will follow these regulations to the letter of the law.
Please understand that these regulations and laws were created to protect the patients.
In addition: You need to be confident in your capabilities, knowledge and skills Expand your job search outside the medical field - don't pigeon hold yourself - it might be time for a change.
HIPAA is a complex set of regulations, The problem here is that every company has some dick in charge that believes he or she is a HIPAA expert, but no such expert exists. If there was just one HIPAA rule that applied to everything and everyone equally, there would be no need for attorneys. But that is not the American way. The point you must emphasize is that while this company may interpret this as a HIPAA violation, the spirit of HIPAA remained unbroken. That is, patient confidentiality and protection was not breached, and the information was not misused in any way. Further, that the patient himself has no concern in this regard. Let the sixteen good years count for more than the sixteen seconds of errant judgement.
Of course, this whole argument collapses if the patient has filed a complaint. That would be a different matter entirely.
You clearly broke the law. Be grateful they did not impose a fine on you or the place you worked. Take a HIPPA refresher class. State that you felt the need to refresh your knowledge in the area IF ASKED BY FUTURE EMPLOYERS WHAT HAPPENED. Otherwise showcase your strengths and list a positive reason for leaving, such as looking for opportunities to grow in your field that were not available to you in your previous position. Good Luck and remember personal and confidential means exactly that. Written authorization necessary.