Post job

Medical records clerk vs certified medical technician

The differences between medical records clerks and certified medical technicians 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 records clerk and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $32,491 average annual salary of a medical records clerk.

The top three skills for a medical records clerk include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Medical records clerk vs certified medical technician overview

Medical Records ClerkCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$32,491$38,859
Hourly rate$15.62$18.68
Growth rate11%5%
Number of jobs129,998164,424
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4544
Years of experience1212

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.

What does a certified medical technician do?

Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.

Medical records clerk vs certified medical technician salary

Medical records clerks and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Records ClerkCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$32,491$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityRochester, NYDenton, TX
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical records clerk and certified medical technician education

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

Medical Records ClerkCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Connecticut

Medical records clerk vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Medical Records ClerkCertified Medical Technician
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between medical records clerk and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
  • Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
  • Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
  • Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
  • Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.
  • Show more

Medical records clerk vs certified medical technician skills

Common medical records clerk skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs