Medical records custodian vs medical clerk

The differences between medical records custodians and medical clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical records custodian, becoming a medical clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical clerk has an average salary of $32,439, which is higher than the $32,178 average annual salary of a medical records custodian.

The top three skills for a medical records custodian include patients, patient appointments and front desk. The most important skills for a medical clerk are patients, medical terminology, and data entry.

Medical records custodian vs medical clerk overview

	Medical Records Custodian	Medical Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,178	$32,439
Hourly rate	$15.47	$15.60
Growth rate	11%	-8%
Number of jobs	64,933	166,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age	45	49
Years of experience	12	2

Medical records custodian vs medical clerk salary

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

	Medical Records Custodian	Medical Clerk
Average salary	$32,178	$32,439
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	Brinks Gilson
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between medical records custodian and medical clerk education

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

	Medical Records Custodian	Medical Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Medical records custodian vs medical clerk demographics

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

	Medical Records Custodian	Medical Clerk
Average age	45	49
Gender ratio	Male, 19.8% Female, 80.2%	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between medical records custodian and medical clerk duties and responsibilities

Medical records custodian example responsibilities.

Manage transition from in-house transcription system to outsource transcription service.
Register new patients and update existing patient demographics by collecting detail patient information including personal and financial information.
Organize and coordinate medical records management, including completing legal questionnaires and being in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Implement a system to bill and collect records' copying fees while adhering to HIPPA guidelines and regulations.
Maintain patient confidence by keeping patient records information confidential; and conduct all activities in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Complete annual e-learning courses require by hospital on work safety, security issues, in addition to HIPPA compliance regulations.

Medical clerk example responsibilities.

Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Follow HIPPA patient confidentiality guidelines making patients or facility have filled proper forms to release records.
File results of laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG's, etc., in patients records.
Respond and resolve patient inquiries with compassion and patience.
Prepare request for EKG tests, eye examinations, audio and dental records.
Enter deficiencies into MediTech program.

Medical records custodian vs medical clerk skills

Common medical records custodian skills

Patients, 32%
Patient Appointments, 13%
Front Desk, 7%
HIPAA, 6%
Subpoenas, 4%
Hippa, 4%

Common medical clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Phone Calls, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

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Medical Records Custodian
Medical Records Custodian vs Medical Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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