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What does a Data Entry Technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a Data Entry Technician do

The duties of a data entry technician depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around entering information into databases, reviewing inputs to ensure accuracy and quality, devising strategies to identify any inconsistencies, and conducting corrective measures as needed. There are also instances when a data entry technician must coordinate with the information technology team to conduct repairs on systems, troubleshoot, resolve errors, and conduct regular maintenance checks on databases to ensure an efficient workflow.

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Data entry technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real data entry technician resumes:

  • Manage continuous patient documentation abiding by the HIPPA guidelines.
  • Utilize PC to enter and retrieve patient data and process all new and refill prescriptions through Medicaid and private insurance.
  • Maintain current knowledge of Medicaid claim regulations and processes.
  • Maintain customer confidence and protect operation according to HIPAA regulations.
  • Safeguard confidential patient health information in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
  • Follow all applicable government and federal regulations and guidelines, including medication labeling and HIPAA.
  • Contact doctor offices, insurance companies and patients to request information relate to clarifications on prescriptions and insurance information.
  • Complete QA applications for detail and specific information on policies.

Data entry technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Data Entry Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Patients, and Triage. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Data Entry Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 20%

    Provided excellent customer services in direct contact with patients along with assisting in scheduling appointments.

  • Patients, 19%

    Perform a variety of duties associated with entering of prescription information into computer system required to process prescription orders for patients.

  • Triage, 9%

    Maintained triage responsibilities including prioritizing and queuing faxes.

  • Data Entry Errors, 5%

    Tracked CRFs, performed interactive data entry, and resolved data entry errors.

  • Order Entry, 5%

    Job Duties: Order entry for all incoming prescriptions, assist nurses with all pharmacy needs, filling and compounding prescriptions

  • Computer Database, 4%

    Executed daily operations of pulling in, deciphering and entering prescriptions into computer database.

Most data entry technicians use their skills in "customer service," "patients," and "triage" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential data entry technician responsibilities here:

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a data entry technician to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Data entry technicians often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "leveraged outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to provide high level of customer service and effectively manage client realations. "

Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform data entry technician duties is organizational skills. Data entry technicians responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." Data entry technicians also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "transfer a paper filing system to a computer database, create a clear and usable organizational system"

Writing skills. data entry technicians are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to data entry technician responsibilities, because "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." A data entry technician resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "checked with icd-9 coders for any coding if doctors' handwriting was ineligible. "

All data entry technician skills

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Compare different data entry technicians

Data entry technician vs. Encoder

A data processor is responsible for encoding various information to the organization's database, originating from either manual or electronic communications. Data processors must be highly detail-oriented, especially on analyzing the completeness of data before uploading it to the system. In some cases, a data processor performs in-depth research to verify the authenticity of the information. A data processor should have excellent typing skills and knowledge with office software tools to create proper formatting and ensure accuracy for easy comprehension.

If we compare the average data entry technician annual salary with that of an encoder, we find that encoders typically earn a $3,980 higher salary than data entry technicians make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between data entry technicians and encoders are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data entry errors, computer system, and detect errors.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between data entry technicians and encoder. For instance, data entry technician responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "patients," "triage," and "order entry." Whereas a encoder is skilled in "process checks," "data entry system," "encoders," and "subtitles." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Encoders tend to reach similar levels of education than data entry technicians. In fact, encoders are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Data entry technician vs. Data conversion operator

A data assistant's role is to perform support tasks in data management procedures. Their responsibilities often revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather data, maintaining and updating databases, processing and organizing documentation, preparing progress reports, and analyzing data as needed. They may also participate in devising strategies to optimize data management operations. Furthermore, a data assistant must also monitor the operations of databases, performing regular maintenance checks, and reporting to the information technology department should there be any issues and concerns.

On average, data conversion operators earn a $5,082 higher salary than data entry technicians a year.A few skills overlap for data entry technicians and data conversion operators. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "computer system," "detect errors," and "verification format. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real data entry technician resumes. While data entry technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "patients," "triage," and "data entry errors," data conversion operators use skills like "data entry," "error rate," "zip codes," and "postal service."

In general, data conversion operators achieve similar levels of education than data entry technicians. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Data entry technician vs. Data processor

On average scale, data processors bring in higher salaries than data entry technicians. In fact, they earn a $2,018 higher salary per year.By looking over several data entry technicians and data processors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "computer database," "medicaid," and "computer system." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, data entry technicians are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "patients," "triage," and "data entry errors." But a data processor is more likely to have skills like "data processing," "financial data," "data entry," and "qc."

Data processors earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,222. Comparatively, data entry technicians have the highest earning potential in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $34,283.When it comes to education, data processors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to data entry technicians. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Data entry technician vs. Data assistant

Data assistants tend to earn a higher pay than data entry technicians by an average of $3,373 per year.According to resumes from data entry technicians and data assistants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "patients," "computer system," and "hipaa. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between data entry technicians and data assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a data entry technician might have more use for skills like "customer service," "triage," "data entry errors," and "order entry." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of data assistants require skills like "data entry," "data collection," "data management," and "research data. "

In general, data assistants earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $57,122. The highest-paying industry for a data entry technician is the insurance industry.The average resume of data assistants showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to data entry technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of data entry technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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