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Medical data analyst vs records specialist

The differences between medical data analysts and records specialists 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 records specialist. Additionally, a medical data analyst has an average salary of $56,595, which is higher than the $33,273 average annual salary of a records specialist.

The top three skills for a medical data analyst include patients, data analysis and medical terminology. The most important skills for a records specialist are customer service, data entry, and office equipment.

Medical data analyst vs records specialist overview

Medical Data AnalystRecords Specialist
Yearly salary$56,595$33,273
Hourly rate$27.21$16.00
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs129,29028,647
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
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 records specialist do?

Records Specialists are administrative professionals who help manage the records of the company. These records may be physical documents or digital copies that are stored in a database. Records Specialists may assist in creating filing systems and knowledge management systems to ensure that the records they keep are easily accessible. They also keep an organized list or database of all the documents that are with them. Records Specialists are in charge of pulling up records upon the request of different departments or individuals. If they are working with physical copies, they ensure that these documents are returned to them. If they are working with digital copies, they ensure that the files they share are kept confidential. Records Specialists may also be in charge of analyzing trends and creating records-related reports.

Medical data analyst vs records specialist salary

Medical data analysts and records specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Data AnalystRecords Specialist
Average salary$56,595$33,273
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityTrenton, NJSan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOregon
Best paying companyUniversity of CaliforniaMt. San Antonio College
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between medical data analyst and records specialist education

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

Medical Data AnalystRecords Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford University

Medical data analyst vs records specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical data analysts' and records specialists' demographics:

Medical Data AnalystRecords Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 31.3% Female, 68.7%Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%
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, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical data analyst and records specialist 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

Records specialist example responsibilities.

  • Develop numerous SQL scripts/queries for monitoring and managing the system.
  • Manage thousands of cases for several firms with deadlines for depositions while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance.
  • Train and mentore employees in EDMS.
  • Process project records for retention in EDMS.
  • Represent DOJ at an ODNI language training conference.
  • Liaise with GIS group to resolve mapping issues.
  • Show more

Medical data analyst vs records specialist skills

Common medical data analyst skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • ICD-10, 5%
  • EMR, 5%
  • SQL, 4%
Common records specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Data Entry, 14%
  • Office Equipment, 5%
  • Word Processing, 5%
  • Database Systems, 5%
  • Management System, 5%

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