Become A Medical Records Technician
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Working As A Medical Records Technician
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Interacting With Computers
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
$35,960
Average Salary
What Does A Medical Records Technician Do
Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data by ensuring that it maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.
DutiesHealth information technicians typically do the following:
- Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data
- Organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries
- Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
- Use classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis
- Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
- Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records
Health information technicians document patients’ health information, including their medical history, symptoms, examination and test results, treatments, and other information about healthcare services that are provided to patients. Their duties vary by employer and by the size of the facility in which they work.
Although health information technicians do not provide direct patient care, they work regularly with registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. They meet with these workers to clarify diagnoses or to get additional information to make sure that records are complete and accurate.
The increasing adaptation and use of electronic health records (EHRs) will continue to change the job responsibilities of health information technicians. Technicians will need to be familiar with, or be able to learn, EHR computer software, follow EHR security and privacy practices, and analyze electronic data to improve healthcare information, as more healthcare providers and hospitals adopt EHR systems.
Health information technicians can specialize in many aspects of health information. Some work as medical coders, sometimes called coding specialists, or as cancer registrars.
Medical coders typically do the following:
- Review patient information for preexisting conditions, such as diabetes
- Assign appropriate diagnoses and procedure codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing purposes
- Work as a liaison between the health clinician and billing offices
Cancer registrars typically do the following:
- Review patients’ records and pathology reports to verify completeness and accuracy
- Assign classification codes to represent the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and benign tumors
- Conduct annual followups to track treatment, survival, and recovery
- Compile and analyze cancer patient information for research purposes
- Maintain facility, regional, and national databases of cancer patients
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How To Become A Medical Records Technician
Health information technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some may need an associate’s degree. Certification is often required.
EducationPostsecondary certificate and associate’s degree programs in health information technology typically include courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements and standards, classification and coding systems, healthcare reimbursement methods, healthcare statistics, and computer systems. Applicants to health information technology programs may increase their chances of admission by taking high school courses in health, computer science, math, and biology.
A high school diploma or equivalent and previous experience in a healthcare setting are enough to qualify for some positions, but most jobs for health information technicians require postsecondary education.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Health information technicians must be able to understand and follow medical records and diagnoses, and then decide how best to code them in a patient’s medical records.
Detail oriented. Health information technicians must be accurate when recording and coding patient information.
Integrity. Health information technicians work with patient data that are required, by law, to be kept confidential. They must exercise caution and a strong sense of ethics when working with this information in order to protect patient confidentiality.
Interpersonal skills. Health information technicians need to be able to discuss patient information, discrepancies, and data requirements with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel.
Technical skills. Health information technicians must be able to use coding and classification software and the electronic health record (EHR) system that their healthcare organization or physician practice has adopted.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsMost employers prefer to hire health information technicians who have certification, or they may expect applicants to earn certification shortly after being hired. A health information technician can earn certification from several organizations. Certifications include the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR), among others.
Some organizations base certification on passing an exam. Others require graduation from an accredited program. Many coding certifications also require coding experience in a work setting. Once certified, technicians typically must renew their certification regularly and take continuing education courses.
A few states and facilities require cancer registrars to be licensed. Licensure requires the completion of a formal education program and the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) certification.
AdvancementHealth information technicians may advance to other health information positions by receiving additional education and certifications. Technicians may be able to advance to a position as a medical or health services manager after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program and taking the required certification courses. Requirements vary by facility.
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Medical Records Technician jobs
Medical Records Technician Career Paths
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Medical Records Supervisor 4.0 years
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Medical Administrative Specialist 3.8 years
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Medical Records Director 3.7 years
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Medical Assistant/Biller 3.6 years
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Medical Records Analyst 3.5 years
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Health Information Specialist 3.4 years
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Correspondence Clerk 3.3 years
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Medical Records Manager 3.2 years
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Health Information Technician 3.1 years
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Medical Records Custodian 3.0 years
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Medical Records Technician 3.0 years
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Medical Records Administrator 2.9 years
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Health Information Management Director 2.9 years
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Medical Office Secretary 2.9 years
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Clinical Secretary 2.8 years
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Medical Administrator 2.8 years
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Medical Office Administrator 2.7 years
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Medical Records Clerk 2.7 years
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Medical Records Receptionist 2.6 years
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Medical Coding Technician 2.6 years
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Medical Clerk 2.5 years
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Medical Support Assistant 2.4 years
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Medical Office Administrative Assistant 2.4 years
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Record Filing Clerk 2.3 years
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Medical Record Assistant 2.1 years
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Scanning Technician 1.9 years
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Medical Internship 0.7 years
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Medical Records Clerk 15.5%
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Medical Assistant 6.8%
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Receptionist 5.6%
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Cashier 5.4%
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Billing Specialist 5.0%
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Office Assistant 4.6%
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Sales Associate 4.6%
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Office Manager 3.7%
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Internship 3.7%
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Medical Receptionist 3.3%
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Medical Coder 3.1%
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Assistant Manager 3.1%
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Unit Secretary 2.9%
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Secretary 2.5%
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Home Health Aid 2.2%
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Medical Records Clerk 13.4%
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Administrative Assistant 11.4%
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Medical Assistant 6.0%
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Billing Specialist 6.0%
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Medical Coder 5.9%
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Receptionist 5.1%
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Office Manager 4.8%
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Sales Associate 4.5%
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Cashier 4.4%
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Office Assistant 4.3%
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Medical Receptionist 2.7%
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Data Entry Clerk 2.5%
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Internship 2.5%
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Manager 2.4%
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Coordinator 2.3%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Medical Records Technician
Top Careers After Medical Records Technician
Medical Records Technician Demographics
Gender
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Female
79.7% -
Male
18.3% -
Unknown
2.0%
Ethnicity
-
White
79.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
12.2% -
Asian
6.8% -
Unknown
1.5% -
Black or African American
0.5%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
69.4% -
French
6.7% -
Tagalog
3.7% -
Portuguese
2.2% -
Hindi
2.2% -
Gujarati
1.5% -
German
1.5% -
Mandarin
1.5% -
Carrier
1.5% -
Russian
1.5% -
Navajo
1.5% -
Italian
1.5% -
Swedish
0.7% -
Vietnamese
0.7% -
Chinese
0.7% -
Dakota
0.7% -
Somali
0.7% -
Samoan
0.7% -
Polish
0.7%
Medical Records Technician
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Medical Records Technician Education
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University of Phoenix
21.0% -
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater
12.8% -
Kaplan University
6.4% -
Liberty University
5.7% -
Strayer University
5.4% -
Ashford University
4.7% -
American InterContinental University
4.0% -
Everest Institute
3.7% -
Rasmussen College
3.7% -
Northern Virginia Community College
3.7% -
University of Maryland - University College
3.5% -
Santa Barbara City College
3.5% -
Southern New Hampshire University
3.5% -
Colorado Technical University
3.0% -
Grand Canyon University
3.0% -
Prince George's Community College
2.7% -
East Los Angeles College
2.7% -
Community College of the Air Force
2.5% -
Walden University
2.5% -
Michigan State University
2.2% -
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Business 15.5%
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Nursing 6.3%
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Psychology 3.5%
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Criminal Justice 3.4%
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General Studies 3.2%
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Management 2.7%
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Accounting 2.6%
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Medical Technician 2.5%
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Education 2.2%
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Biology 2.0%
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Computer Science 1.9%
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Pharmacy 1.8%
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Liberal Arts 1.6%
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Human Services 1.6%
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Other
31.5% -
Bachelors
23.6% -
Associate
22.4% -
Certificate
9.3% -
Masters
7.9% -
Diploma
4.4% -
License
0.5% -
Doctorate
0.4%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Medical Records Technician
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Real Medical Records Technician Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Records Technician | Prestigious Home Health, Inc. | Covina, CA | Jul 02, 2015 | $46,259 |
| Medical Records Technician | Lemar Home Health Services, Inc. | Covina, CA | Apr 07, 2010 | $43,827 |
| Medical Records & Health Info. Technicians | Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA | May 07, 2009 | $42,000 |
| Medical Records Technician | Emelito Calderon DDS, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Mar 25, 2010 | $40,258 |
| Medical Records Technician | Mission Home Health Services Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Jul 10, 2016 | $36,878 |
| Medical Record Technician | More Health, Inc. | Foster City, CA | Aug 02, 2016 | $36,000 |
| Medical Record Technician | Infinite Care, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | Feb 01, 2010 | $35,000 |
| Medical Records & Health Info Technicians | Children's Hospital | Boston, MA | Dec 15, 2009 | $34,778 |
| Medical Records Technician | Il SEON Kim, DDS, Inc. | Irvine, CA | Jan 16, 2009 | $32,599 |
| Medical Records Technician | Farrokh Alemzadeh, M.D., Inc. | Irvine, CA | Apr 30, 2009 | $31,472 |
| Medical Records Technician | Medcare Home Health Inc. | Chicago, IL | Apr 23, 2008 | $29,800 |
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Top Skills for A Medical Records Technician
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Top Medical Records Technician Skills
- Medical Records Operations
- Electronic Medical Records
- Data Entry
- Maintain medical records operations by following policies and procedures; reporting needed changes.
- Assist in transition from paper charts to electronic medical records.
- Verified all insurance for eligible patients and completed data entry as needed into patient files.
- Represented the Inpatient records department in the Medical Record Committee ensuring 100% accountability and completeness of documentation.
- Maintained patient charts, prepared records for transfer to electronic media.
Top Medical Records Technician Employers
United States Air Force
ECS
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Coding Source
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