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Medical data analyst vs medical record assistant

The differences between medical data analysts and medical record assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a medical data analyst and a medical record assistant. Additionally, a medical data analyst has an average salary of $56,595, which is higher than the $34,870 average annual salary of a medical record assistant.

The top three skills for a medical data analyst include patients, data analysis and medical terminology. The most important skills for a medical record assistant are patients, data entry, and HIPAA.

Medical data analyst vs medical record assistant overview

Medical Data AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Yearly salary$56,595$34,870
Hourly rate$27.21$16.76
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs129,29091,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a medical data analyst do?

A medical data analyst uses a number of applications to improve the quality of healthcare. Their job entails operating an electronic health record system, coding information to be passed on to insurance companies for billing, and organizing patient information to guide the treatment suggestions. The qualifications for this position are knowledge of computer analytics software, experience with database systems, and familiarity with medical terms.

What does a medical record assistant do?

A medical record assistant is responsible for the proper documentation of the patients' information and medical records for reference to the attending physician or other medical professionals. Medical record assistants also track the patient's medical treatments and progress, as well as their health insurance details and coverage. They also respond to the patient's inquiries and concerns, including scheduling physician's appointments and updating the patients for any released medical results. A medical record assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, categorizing documents, and retrieving files for medical needs.

Medical data analyst vs medical record assistant salary

Medical data analysts and medical record assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Data AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Average salary$56,595$34,870
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityTrenton, NJNapa, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of CaliforniaNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between medical data analyst and medical record assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical data analyst and a medical record assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical Data AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical data analyst vs medical record assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical data analysts' and medical record assistants' demographics:

Medical Data AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 31.3% Female, 68.7%Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical data analyst and medical record assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical data analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage cases by aggressively directing the litigation process.
  • Maintain priority levels of confidentiality with HIPAA and patient rights in all reviews and aspects of work.
  • Process records for subpoena, learned deposition process, attend court for subpoenas and processing of records.
  • Review and interpret diagnosis and procedure codes through ICD-9 and CPT-4, HCPS claims to avoid provider and facility up-coding.
  • Complete understanding of HIPPA confidentiality requirements, regulations.
  • Serve as departmental liaison to internal operational committees for Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Show more

Medical record assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead special department-wide task force initiative to minimize abuse of Oxycontin prescriptions bill to Medicaid.
  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Work with EHR, provide medical records to patients and specialty centers.
  • Guide department through transition from paper charts to EHR system scan all patient records into database.
  • Scan documents into electronic medical records system and certify HIPAA compliance
  • Implement HIPAA guidelines in keeping patient information secure and confidential.
  • Show more

Medical data analyst vs medical record assistant skills

Common medical data analyst skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • ICD-10, 5%
  • EMR, 5%
  • SQL, 4%
Common medical record assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 3%

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