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Medical record librarian vs health information specialist

The differences between medical record librarians and health information 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 record librarian and a health information specialist. Additionally, a medical record librarian has an average salary of $56,115, which is higher than the $33,343 average annual salary of a health information specialist.

The top three skills for a medical record librarian include HIPAA, customer service and front desk. The most important skills for a health information specialist are patients, HIPAA, and medical terminology.

Medical record librarian vs health information specialist overview

Medical Record LibrarianHealth Information Specialist
Yearly salary$56,115$33,343
Hourly rate$26.98$16.03
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs48,546135,448
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Medical record librarian vs health information specialist salary

Medical record librarians and health information specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Record LibrarianHealth Information Specialist
Average salary$56,115$33,343
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $76,000Between $25,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-University of California
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical record librarian and health information specialist education

There are a few differences between a medical record librarian and a health information specialist in terms of educational background:

Medical Record LibrarianHealth Information Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBiologyHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Southern California

Medical record librarian vs health information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical record librarians' and health information specialists' demographics:

Medical Record LibrarianHealth Information Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 27.3% Female, 72.7%Male, 15.1% Female, 84.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical record librarian and health information specialist duties and responsibilities

Medical record librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Check in patients, update demographics and insurance, handle patient payments, keep HIPAA update.
  • Maintain client's records, maintain personal files, confidentially, aware of legal and Hippa responsibilities, Hippa officer.
  • Prepare a daily schedule prioritizing appointments for patients and working with fellow employees to minimize overlapping appointments and promote increase efficiency.
  • Enter patient information into computerized patient information system according to ICD-9-CM.

Health information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Review and audit medical records for correct DRG and APC assignment.
  • Certify requests for subpoenas, court orders, legal cases and training of employees.
  • Utilize Cerner and Centricity systems to assist in ancillary services.
  • Abstract medical records with ICD9-CM, CPT and DRG coding.
  • Scan documentation via DCS into HPF to be index under ROI.
  • Show more

Medical record librarian vs health information specialist skills

Common medical record librarian skills
  • HIPAA, 30%
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Front Desk, 16%
  • Patient Appointments, 14%
  • Hippa, 12%
Common health information specialist skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • HIPAA, 11%
  • Medical Terminology, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Office Equipment, 3%

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