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Medical records custodian vs records specialist

The differences between medical records custodians 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 records custodian and a records specialist. Additionally, a records specialist has an average salary of $33,273, 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 records specialist are customer service, data entry, and office equipment.

Medical records custodian vs records specialist overview

Medical Records CustodianRecords Specialist
Yearly salary$32,178$33,273
Hourly rate$15.47$16.00
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs64,93328,647
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Medical records custodian vs records specialist salary

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

Medical Records CustodianRecords Specialist
Average salary$32,178$33,273
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Mt. San Antonio College
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between medical records custodian and records specialist education

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

Medical Records CustodianRecords Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Medical records custodian vs records specialist demographics

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

Medical Records CustodianRecords Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 19.8% Female, 80.2%Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 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 records custodian and records specialist 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.
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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.
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Medical records custodian vs records specialist skills

Common medical records custodian skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Patient Appointments, 13%
  • Front Desk, 7%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Subpoenas, 4%
  • Hippa, 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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