Can a meth dealer become a HIPAA Auditor?

Published

I found out that a convict meth dealer became certified as a HIPAA auditor by one of those online institutions. Now this person manages the EMR of a few clinics, and does all of their HIPAA related services. This person is hired as a vendor by the healthcare facilities, and belongs to multiple healthcare, doctors, and medical associations. Gives speeches about how to "secure" medical information and moves freely in the medical market selling his services as a HIPAA auditor and EMR specialist. I am sure this person does not disclose to any client or potential client, that she is a convict who went to a federal prison for selling meth and other illegal drugs, like crack and cocaine.

Is it legal for a convict not only to manage medical and personal records of patients, but also do HIPAA audits, meaningful use implementation, etc etc?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU.

I don't have any legal background and honestly I could be dead wrong for what I'm about to say. But, isn't prison used as a form of rehabilitation? "She went to federal prison" meaning she served her time. No second chances in life???

*I hope I don't get chewed off but that's how I feel*[emoji85][emoji85]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I thought prison was a form or rehabilitation; as long as this person is adhering to guidelines related to HIPAA and has moved past her prior history, I don't see an issue.

Even people who are "upstanding citizens" have been found to have engaged in similar activity or worse so...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How did you find out? Did you Google her name? I've never Googled myself, I'd die of embarrassment when, if, I found stuff about myself on the Internet! I'd rather just not know what was out there about me!

Irregardless, inspite of hating HIPAA, I'm happy for her. The school and vendor deserve kudos for giving ex-cons a chance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Is she a meth dealer or a former meth dealer? You refer to her as a convict but describe her has an ex-convict.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sure. Why not?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OP, you've answered your own question.

Can it happen? Looks like it already did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Prison supposedly rehabilitates people, but stats don't show that exactly. She did serve her time and I believe in second chances in specific situations and people. For example, does a child molester deserves a second chance to work as a babysitter? Well, no, right? Question is, are nurses, doctors, medical administrators OK with having a convict managing sensitive medical and personal information? Most importantly, if the patients were to find out that their medical and personal information is being handled by a convict, would they be worry free?

(I forgot my logins! Created a new account - SORRY)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So we're told. In reality many convicts suffer psychological disorders for the rest of their lives. We are talking about our most private information as patients, nurses, doctors, etc. Would you be find having a ex-convict computer guy managing your data?

I thought prison was a form or rehabilitation; as long as this person is adhering to guidelines related to HIPAA and has moved past her prior history, I don't see an issue.

Even people who are "upstanding citizens" have been found to have engaged in similar activity or worse so...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She is both and an user, but those who hire her to do the HIPAA audits and manage their network and database don't know it.

Is she a meth dealer or a former meth dealer? You refer to her as a convict but describe her has an ex-convict.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

OP, what are you hoping to accomplish?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Certain criminal convictions are not available by Googling, I know she all of that because she is an acquaintance and in her social group, all who have known her long enough know she is an user, a dealer and that she spent time in prison for it.

If you were in need of a hipaa auditor and network management, and you are in charge or highly sensitive patients data, would you give a convict a second chance? Hospitals, clinics, nurses, doctors, med admin, etc, supposedly are committed to well being of their patients/clients and by law they are responsible for protecting their patients data. Why risk a possible violation? If patients/clients, were to be informed, would they be OK with it? I know I would not.

How did you find out? Did you Google her name? I've never Googled myself, I'd die of embarrassment when, if, I found stuff about myself on the Internet! I'd rather just not know what was out there about me!

Irregardless, inspite of hating HIPAA, I'm happy for her. The school and vendor deserve kudos for giving ex-cons a chance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion