Clinical documentation improvement specialist vs records analyst

The differences between clinical documentation improvement specialists and records analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a clinical documentation improvement specialist and a records analyst. Additionally, a clinical documentation improvement specialist has an average salary of $64,797, which is higher than the $44,714 average annual salary of a records analyst.

The top three skills for a clinical documentation improvement specialist include patients, patient care and clinical documentation improvement. The most important skills for a records analyst are data entry, powerpoint, and sharepoint.

Clinical documentation improvement specialist vs records analyst overview

	Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist	Records Analyst
Yearly salary	$64,797	$44,714
Hourly rate	$31.15	$21.50
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	66,130	18,442
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

What does a clinical documentation improvement specialist do?

Clinical documentation improvement specialists are professionals who are involved in the clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program that incorporates the terminology needed to translate a patient's condition into precise codes. These specialists must investigate complex healthcare reimbursement information to ensure that appropriate documentation is provided for proper patient care. They must collaborate with physicians and medical record coding staff so that they facilitate the clinical documentation improvement process. Clinical documentation improvement specialists must also train members of the patient care team about the documentation guidelines for medical records.

What does a records analyst do?

A records analyst is responsible for maintaining the security and efficiency of record management processes for storing information and files in the database. Records analysts review documents and sort data accordingly, following organizational procedures in proper disposal of outdated documents. They also update client accounts and business information in the system, managing retention schedules, and strategizing effective data management techniques. A records analyst must have excellent knowledge of computer navigation, especially in using software applications for filing and coding data.

Clinical documentation improvement specialist vs records analyst salary

Clinical documentation improvement specialists and records analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist	Records Analyst
Average salary	$64,797	$44,714
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $87,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Madera, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	Nuance Communications	Guidehouse
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between clinical documentation improvement specialist and records analyst education

There are a few differences between a clinical documentation improvement specialist and a records analyst in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist	Records Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Bakersfield

Clinical documentation improvement specialist vs records analyst demographics

Here are the differences between clinical documentation improvement specialists' and records analysts' demographics:

	Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist	Records Analyst
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8%	Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical documentation improvement specialist and records analyst duties and responsibilities

Clinical documentation improvement specialist example responsibilities.

Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
Interact directly with physicians to query for more specific documentation and to provide documentation guidelines from ICD-9 and ICD-10 standards.
Prepare, maintain and update clinical documentation ensuring completeness and accuracy of services provide to the patients.
Assign the correct POA status.
Participate in the initiation of the CDIS program.
Train new employees on how to utilize radiology information systems.

Records analyst example responsibilities.

Manage the research, processing and auditing of maintenance records from all maintenance facilities to ensure FAA compliance.
Ensure compliance with all HIPAA requirements
Assist in the execution of search warrants and submissions of subpoenas.
Train new staff on FDA regulate & non-FDA regulate eBDR procedures.
Examine documents to ensure compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, and other applicable law.
Update forms on an ongoing basis to conform to HIPPA policies and school needs.

Clinical documentation improvement specialist vs records analyst skills

Common clinical documentation improvement specialist skills

Patients, 18%
Patient Care, 13%
Clinical Documentation Improvement, 12%
CCDS, 8%
ICD-10, 7%
CCS, 6%

Common records analyst skills

Data Entry, 22%
PowerPoint, 13%
SharePoint, 8%
Retention Schedules, 6%
Hard Copy, 5%
FAA, 4%

Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist vs. similar jobs

Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist related careers

Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist vs Records Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs