TARRY HOUSE, INC.

 

Subject:  Computer Operation, Use and Maintenance

Procedure Number:  M.L. 13

Site: All Sites

Approved: 11/28/05

Issued By: Executive Director

Effective:  11/28/05

Approved By: The Board of Trustees

Revised: 1/5/06; 2/27/08

Reference Policy:  M.L. 12

Reviewed: 1/5/06; 2/27/08

 

Standards Reference:

CARF: Section 1 C

ODMH: 5122-30-22

 

I.                   Purpose

 

The purpose of the Computer Operation and Maintenance Policy and Procedure is to ensure that staff who are required to utilize computers as part of his/her employment, receive basic training in the use, maintenance and security procedures when operating the personal computer assigned to the staff person.

 

II.                Policy

 

It is the policy of Tarry House, Inc. to ensure that all staff required to utilize personal computers receive initial and on-going training as needed related to the general operation of the unit, security, HIPPA compliance issues and CARF and ODMH expectations related to personal computer use, especially protection of confidential information internally and information sent and received via the world-wide web.

 

III.             Procedure

 

A.     All potential employees will be asked interview questions related to their skill working with computers.  As part of the interview process, those potential employees where computer competency is absolutely necessary to perform the duties of his/her job; a test will be given and graded to ascertain the potential employee’s skill level and the grade will help in the decision whether or not to hire someone.

B.     All staff will receive orientation training on the use of the Tarry House computers, password protection, confidentially, HIPPA Laws, CARF and ODMH expectations and maintenance procedures. 

C.     Staff will receive on-going training as necessary to maintain crucial skills. 

D.    All staff using personal computers will be required to utilize password protection.  Passwords will be changed at least two times per year.  Staffs are required to make available his/her password to the Information Technology Consultant and the Executive Director.  The Executive Director has the right at any time, to view any information on the computers provided by Tarry House, Inc. for its employees.   Failure to comply with this requirement may result in progressive discipline up to separation of employment. 

E.     Utilizing the World Wide Web and emailing is often necessary for staff to complete his/her job, however, staff is discouraged from receiving personal emails and using the internet for personal use during regular working hours.  Staffs should not open any email of inappropriate or offensive nature (e.g. pornography) and delete any emails received from someone or any entity staff is not familiar with.  Any staff found to be accessing web-sites with inappropriate or offensive material will be disciplined up to separation of employment.

F.      All files will be backed up at least quarterly.  Back-up discs will be stored in the Administrative Office’s Fire Safe. 

G.    E-mails containing persons served information will generally never be sent.  When necessary, this type of information will be encrypted.

H.    The only electronic information containing persons served information will be the Recovery Specialist’s Recovery Service Plans and assessment summaries.  These plans will also be password protected, with only the Recovery Specialist, Clinical Director and Executive Director having access. 

I.        All computers will be equipped with software designed to block computer viruses, and the software will be updated on-going as recommended by the Information Technology Consultant.

J.       Software provided by the agency may not be copied or transferred to another computer for any reason, nor shall staff ever load software programs onto Tarry House owned computers.

K.    All software purchased by Tarry House, Inc. is to be properly maintained as per the license agreement from each vendor. 

L.     All emails sent will end with the following confidentiality statement:

 

"Notice: the information contained in this electronic mail transmission is intended by Tarry House, Inc. for the use of the named individual or entity to which it is directed and may contain information that is privileged or otherwise confidential.  It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by anyone other than the named addressee (or person authorized to deliver it to the named addressee).  It should not be copied or forwarded to any unauthorized persons.  If you have received this electronic mail transmission in error, please delete it from your system without copying or forwarding it, and notify the sender of the error by reply email or by calling Tarry House, Inc. at 330.253.6689, so that our address record can be corrected."  "Thank you."

    

 

 

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Executive Director                                                                                                    Date