Data Integrity
Position Summary
The Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI) Data Integrity Specialist is responsible for maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of patient identity data across enterprise registration, clinical, and electronic health record (EHR) systems. This role performs daily data integrity operations, including the identification, investigation, and resolution of duplicate, overlay, overlap, and other patient identity discrepancies within the EMPI environment.
The specialist works collaboratively with Registration, Health Information Management (HIM), Clinical Operations, Information Technology, and other key stakeholders to ensure patient records are accurate, properly linked, and available to support safe, high-quality patient care. The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of patient identity management processes.
Key Responsibilities
Data Integrity Operations
- Monitor and manage EMPI work queues to identify and resolve patient identity issues, including:
- Duplicate medical records
- Overlays
- Overlaps
- Mismatched patient records
- Registration and demographic discrepancies
- Other EMPI-related data integrity concerns
- Analyze patient demographic and clinical information to determine the appropriate resolution of identity-related issues.
- Ensure accurate consolidation, correction, and maintenance of patient records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Meet organizational and facility-specific turnaround times for issue resolution.
Patient Identity Resolution
- Investigate and remediate duplicate patient records within established service level agreements (SLAs).
- Prioritize and resolve escalated cases that may impact patient care, patient safety, or clinical workflows.
- Apply critical thinking and data analysis techniques to validate patient identities and prevent erroneous record merges.
System Coordination and Communication
- Coordinate notifications and updates to downstream applications affected by patient identity corrections.
- Ensure proper communication of completed merges, unmerges, overlays, and other corrections to impacted departments and systems.
- Collaborate with Registration, HIM, Clinical Informatics, Compliance, and IT teams to resolve complex patient identity challenges.
Interface and Application Support
- Identify, investigate, and address interface-related errors affecting patient registration and identity management.
- Support accurate patient creation and synchronization across registration systems, acute care EHRs, ambulatory EHRs, and ancillary applications.
- Escalate unresolved technical issues to appropriate support teams.
System Testing and Continuous Improvement
- Partner with Information Technology teams on:
- Application upgrades
- System implementations
- User acceptance testing (UAT)
- Production validations
- Ongoing system maintenance activities
- Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance patient matching accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Recommend workflow improvements that reduce duplicate creation and improve data quality.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and patient privacy standards.
- Ensure all data integrity activities are accurately documented and audited when required.
- Support quality assurance reviews and reporting related to EMPI performance metrics.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in a Medical Allied Health field required, such as:
- Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science)
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Radiologic Technology
- Pharmacy
Experience
- At least 1 – 2 years’ experience working with healthcare registration systems or EMPI platforms (LexisNexis) or electronic health records (EHRs), or health information management operations preferred.
Knowledge,