Training the work force on the HIPAA privacy rule isn’t only federal law – it’s the foundation on which the entire organization’s compliance rests.

HIPAA requires all healthcare providers, payers and clearinghouses to comply with detailed regulation aimed at protecting information as it is used in the healthcare industry.

In addition, the privacy rule contains the mandate that “a covered entity (UT Southwestern and affiliate hospitals) must train all members of its work force on the policies and procedures with respect to protected health information…as necessary and appropriate for the member of the workforce to carry out their function within the covered entity.”

If you are an employee of UT Southwestern, click here to complete your online training.

If you are a volunteer faculty member, visiting student, contractor or temporary employee (Southwestern Temp), please read instructions below to complete your training.

       What is HIPAA?

HIPAA is an acronym for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.  HIPAA was established to:

• Standardize electronic payment transactions in health care.
• Prevent misuse and/or wrongful disclosure of health records.
• Provide patients with control and oversight of the use and disclosure of their own health records.

Will HIPAA affect me if I train at UT Southwestern?

Yes. HIPAA applies to members of the workforce, including students, and it requires UT Southwestern to investigate and discipline individuals who violate our privacy policies.

What do I need to do?

• • Complete your assigned HIPAA training program:
  • Watch the Privacy video by clicking here.  You may need to download either Real Player or Windows Media Player to view the video. 
  • Read the hospital’s HIPAA handout before starting your clinical rotation
    • PHHS HIPAA Lite Training
    • CMC HIPAA Lite Training
    • UT Southwestern Medical Center (Zale Lipshy and St. Paul University Hospitals)
  • If you are volunteer faculty member, print a copy of the HIPAA Lite-Volunteer Faculty Confidentiality Statement.
  • If you are a visiting student, print a copy of the Training Attestation and Confidentiality Agreement .
  • If you are a contractor, print a copy of the Associate Attestation and Confidentiality Agreement.
  • If you are a temporary employee (Southwestern Temp), print a copy of the Training Attestation and Confidentiality Agreement.
• Complete the appropriate agreement form and return the signed original via campus mail to the Privacy Office at Mail Code 8851.
• Understand when in a training program, you are considered part of that institution’s workforce and their privacy policies apply to you.
• Become familiar with the patient's rights under the HIPAA regulations by going to the web site at: www.utsouthwestern.edu/hipaa. 
• Ask questions to help ensure your understanding of how the HIPAA regulations apply to your daily activities.
• Know that UT Southwestern and each of its affiliate hospitals has a designated Privacy Officer to receive complaints about privacy violations.

 Who is the Privacy Officer and how do I contact this person?
UT Southwestern’s Privacy Officer is
Cynthia Snyder
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75390-8851
214.648.6080

What happens if I violate the HIPAA Policy?
Violation of any of the privacy policies will subject you to disciplinary action.  The government may also take action against people who violate the HIPAA standards.  These actions may include civil money penalties and/or criminal penalties with potential jail time.

Who do I contact if I have questions about online HIPAA training?
Please contact either:

• Pam Bennett, RN, pamela.bennett@utsouthwestern.edu, 214.648.6003.