SHERYL RICKETTS
Health Information Technician
Chula Vista,CA
Summary
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) with over six years of progressive experience in health information management, including four years with the County of San Diego supporting medical records operations within detention health services. Demonstrated expertise in analyzing and evaluating patient records for technical completeness, regulatory compliance, and data integrity in accordance with federal, state, and County standards. Experienced in documentation auditing, release of information oversight, and safeguarding protected health information within highly regulated environments. Holds a Master of Public Health (MPH), bringing a strong understanding of how accurate health information management supports disease surveillance, immunization tracking, and broader public health initiatives.
Experienced with health information management, focusing on accurate patient record handling and regulatory compliance. Utilizes EHR systems to enhance data management and retrieval processes. Strong understanding of medical coding and classification ensures data integrity and supports clinical operations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Information Management Technician
San Diego County, Sheriff’s Department
12.2021 - Current
- Performed complex technical analysis of high-volume Release of Information (ROI) requests, ensuring strict compliance with HIPAA, California confidentiality laws, and departmental policies.
- Served as a subject matter resource to providers, patients, and families regarding protected health information disclosure requirements and procedures.
- Conducted detailed quality assurance reviews of scanned and indexed records within TechCare EHR utilizing Kofax imaging systems to ensure completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
- Supported audit readiness efforts by maintaining comprehensive ROI tracking logs and proactively identifying documentation gaps prior to internal and external reviews.
- Contributed to behavioral health quality improvement initiatives by validating and correcting data entries for incarcerated individuals, enhancing reporting accuracy and data integrity.
- Managed documentation of behavioral health encounters and accurately abstracted and assigned diagnoses within Cerner and SmartCare EHR systems to support clinical continuity and reporting requirements.
- Trained newly promoted HIM staff on regulatory requirements, ROI processing procedures, and documentation standards, promoting consistency and compliance across the unit.
- Upheld strict confidentiality and ethical standards in accordance with HIPAA and County regulations in a high-security correctional healthcare environment.
Medical Records Technician
San Diego American Indian Health Center
04.2019 - 06.2019
- Maintained the integrity, organization, and technical completeness of patient medical records within the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), ensuring compliance with federal, state, and organizational health information regulations.
- Spearheaded the elimination of an eight-month document backlog by implementing a structured scanning, indexing, and quality validation process, significantly improving record accessibility and continuity of care.
- Processed and reviewed Release of Information (ROI) requests in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policy, exercising sound judgment in the evaluation and disclosure of protected health information.
- Conducted detailed quality assurance reviews of clinical documentation, collaborating with providers to verify accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and maintain 100% documentation precision within the EHR system.
- Served as a liaison between administrative and clinical teams to support accurate documentation practices and promote adherence to established medical records policies and procedures.
Scheduling Representative
Rady Children’s Physician Management Services
11.2018 - 03.2019
- Registered and onboarded new patients within the EPIC EHR system, ensuring accurate demographic, insurance, and coverage verification to support compliant billing and uninterrupted care delivery.
- Optimized provider scheduling workflows by proactively analyzing appointment templates and visit types, reducing in-office patient wait times by 30% and improving clinic efficiency.
- Coordinated complex physician schedules to align visit types with appropriate time allocations, enhancing operations and minimizing scheduling conflicts.
- Collaborated with pharmacies and clinical staff to clarify prescription-related inquiries, verifying documentation accuracy and supporting safe medication distribution practices.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of patient health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations and organizational compliance standards.
- Provided high-level customer service to diverse patient populations while exercising discretion and professionalism in sensitive healthcare interactions.
Medical Records Technician
Brighton Place Spring Valley
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Conducted comprehensive audits of resident medical records, verifying nursing documentation, physician orders, medical histories, and visit compliance to ensure adherence to organizational policies and regulatory standards.
- Improved records accessibility and retrieval efficiency by implementing a structured archival and purging process.
- Assembled and validated admission documentation packets to ensure completeness and compliance prior to patient intake, streamlining the admissions workflow.
- Processed authorized release of information requests in accordance with privacy laws.
- Maintained strict confidentiality controls by securing records departments and filing systems, reinforcing compliance with HIPAA and long-term care documentation standards.
- Organized and indexed loose clinical documentation (progress notes, lab reports, ADL sheets, assessments) into resident charts to maintain technical completeness and survey readiness.
Education
Master of Public Health (MPH) -
California State University San Marcos
05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Health Information Management
Davenport University
05.2021
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) - undefined
AHIMA
11.2018
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
DeVry University
04.2018
Skills
- Medical Record Analysis
- EMR/EHR Proficient
- Process Improvement
- Audit Preparation & Analysis
- Efficient ROI Processing
- Regulatory Compliance
- Quality Assurance Monitoring
- Workflow/Time Management
- Cross functional collaboration
- Healthcare compliance
- Health information systems
- HIPAA regulations
Affiliations
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- California Health Information Association (CHIA)
Timeline
Health Information Management Technician
San Diego County, Sheriff’s Department
12.2021 - Current
Medical Records Technician
San Diego American Indian Health Center
04.2019 - 06.2019
Scheduling Representative
Rady Children’s Physician Management Services
11.2018 - 03.2019
Medical Records Technician
Brighton Place Spring Valley
03.2018 - 04.2018
Bachelor of Science - Health Information Management
Davenport University
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) - undefined
AHIMA
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
DeVry University
Master of Public Health (MPH) -
California State University San Marcos