What Does a Medical Records Clerk Do?
Medical records clerks manage medical information records, which include both electronic data and paper files. They organize and keep track of patients' medical histories and test results, both for doctor and insurance company use. Medical records clerks may also be known as 'health information technicians' or 'medical records technicians'. Read on to learn more about the typical medical records clerk job description and salary, and how to get a job in medical records keeping.
| Required Education | Post-secondary certificate or associate's degree |
| Other Requirements | Certification |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 8% (Medical records and health information technicians) |
| Median Salary (2019)* | $42,630 (Medical records and health information technicians) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Medical Records Clerk Job Description
You may be wondering, 'What does a medical records clerk do?' Medical records clerks work in health care institutions but do not have any interaction with patients. The job is characterized by office work at a typical 40 hours per week.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical records clerks organize and maintain medical records by collecting information about patients. This information can include test results, diagnoses, exam results, recommended treatments, prior medical history, and other relevant data. Medical records clerks must be sure that these records are well-organized, and they should be able to provide quality reports. Security and accuracy of the records are also crucial, as a small mistake could result in a large liability.
Medical Records Clerk Duties
What do medical records clerks do on a day-to-day basis? Apart from filing patients' medical information, typical duties for a medical record keeper include transmitting relevant documents to insurance agencies, private practices and hospitals, and to patients themselves as needed. They must ensure that paperwork and reports have been completed properly and within deadlines. A medical records clerk should have strong IT skills as they may have to respond to e-mails, convert digital records to different formats, and scan, print, and photocopy files. Equally important to the health records professional job description is verifying that their practices for record-keeping comply with local data protection laws.
Medical Records Clerk Salary
According to the BLS, the median yearly income of medical records clerks and health information technicians was $42,630 in May 2019. Job opportunities for medical records clerks and health information technicians are expected to increase 8% from 2019-2029 as a result of an aging population needing more medical procedures.
Medical Records Clerk Requirements
The BLS indicates that most employers prefer to hire medical records clerks with a medical records technician certificate or associate's degree. Medical records clerks may earn an associate's degree that includes courses in coding systems, health care reimbursement, anatomy, physiology, and data systems. In addition, several professional organizations offer credential and certification programs.
Proficiency in computer applications, data security, and data analysis are becoming increasingly important to medical clerks and technicians as electronic health records (EHR) become more prevalent. Medical records professionals often complete continuing education sessions to keep their knowledge and skills current to ensure the continued accuracy and quality of medical reports and data.
Medical Records Clerk Certifications
Medical records clerks may earn professional credentials or certification in health information, coding, and cancer registry services. These credentialing programs are typically exam-based. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) sponsors the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential. Specialized certification programs and continuing education opportunities are offered by the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS), the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC), the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).
Medical records clerks organize and manage health information, which includes ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and security of data. A post-secondary certificate or associate's degree may be required. The median annual salary for medical records and health information technicians was $40,350 in 2018.
