Laboratory clerk vs medical records clerk

The differences between laboratory clerks and medical records clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a laboratory clerk, becoming a medical records clerk takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical records clerk has an average salary of $32,491, which is higher than the $32,182 average annual salary of a laboratory clerk.

The top three skills for a laboratory clerk include patients, phlebotomy and lab specimens. The most important skills for a medical records clerk are patients, customer service, and data entry.

Laboratory clerk vs medical records clerk overview

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Records Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,182	$32,491
Hourly rate	$15.47	$15.62
Growth rate	-5%	11%
Number of jobs	105,165	129,998
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 29%
Average age	47	45
Years of experience	2	12

What does a laboratory clerk do?

A laboratory clerk is responsible for a variety of tasks needed to process, report, and deliver laboratory tests and results. These include coordinating patient specimen collection, managing requests for laboratory tests, and adhering to laboratory safety rules and standards. As a laboratory clerk, you will be responsible for storing and retrieving copies of lab test reports. You must inform the lab supervisor about malfunctioning office equipment. In addition, you are also responsible for preparing and sending laboratory reports to physicians.

What does a medical records clerk do?

Medical records clerks are employees in hospitals or clinics who manage office records. They are in charge of creating, updating, and filing patient-related medical records and other related documents. They ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and labeled before storing them safely in their respective storage areas. They may also be in charge of digitizing forms for easier access to files and back up purposes. They ensure that medical records are exact and updated. Medical records clerks should be organized and must always be on top of all tasks related to patient or medical records.

Laboratory clerk vs medical records clerk salary

Laboratory clerks and medical records clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Records Clerk
Average salary	$32,182	$32,491
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $65,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between laboratory clerk and medical records clerk education

There are a few differences between a laboratory clerk and a medical records clerk in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Records Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 29%
Most common major	Business	Health Care Administration
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Laboratory clerk vs medical records clerk demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory clerks' and medical records clerks' demographics:

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Records Clerk
Average age	47	45
Gender ratio	Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%	Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between laboratory clerk and medical records clerk duties and responsibilities

Laboratory clerk example responsibilities.

Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
Train and follow strict HIPAA laws for protection of patient privacy.
Ensure patient safeguard, protection and comply to all company policies, procedures and HIPAA regulations
Process and organize patients' medical lab records and maintain records accuracy.
Confer with patients to obtain information for laboratory records, explain testing and addressed patient concerns.
Perform immunological, chemical, microbiological, and hematological tests, critically examine results for accuracy, troubleshoot discrepancies.

Medical records clerk example responsibilities.

Manage transition from in-house transcription system to outsource transcription service.
Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Perform infant labs and update the system with results, triage incoming patients, perform necessary resuscitation to baby and mom.
Provide information to medical facilities and patients when necessary and respond to subpoenas and other general release of patient information.
Experience in CPT and ICD-10 coding.

Laboratory clerk vs medical records clerk skills

Common laboratory clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Phlebotomy, 10%
Lab Specimens, 6%
Computer System, 4%
Computer Data Entry, 4%
Medical Terminology, 4%

Common medical records clerk skills

Patients, 27%
Customer Service, 9%
Data Entry, 7%
Medical Terminology, 6%
HIPAA, 5%
Patient Care, 4%

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Laboratory Clerk
Laboratory Clerk vs Medical Records Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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