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What does a records manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a records manager do

The records manager is an important position that handles the creation, organization, and disposal of records. They are also responsible for establishing systems for their management and the maintenance, verification, and evaluation of extant systems. It will require technical and analytical skills, as well as a great deal of integrity for handling sensitive information.

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Records manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real records manager resumes:

  • Implement and manage projects with complex HL7 interfaces between multiple clinical systems including writing project plans.
  • Establish compliant records training program to meet objectives in standards such as HIPAA, FOIA.
  • Develop and execute recordkeeping and docketing system to track activities of multi-district class action litigation, and introduce records retention policies/procedures.
  • Ensure record privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance.
  • Maintain all student records in compliance with HIPPA and Medicaid.
  • Ensure records are readily available for re-use, regulatory review, audit, and litigation.
  • Process criminal and non-criminal paperwork; including case files, subpoenas, FOIA requests, impound vehicles.
  • Ensure the accurate response to subpoenas are handled accordingly and according to court, state and federal laws.
  • Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality are maintained in accordance to the HIPPA polices.
  • Provide depositions for litigation proceedings.
  • Follow up/e-filed vendor ISO certification status and records.
  • Implement the Inbox system in Cerner for forwarding physician deficiencies/delinquencies.
  • Audit and review all aspects of FAA require aircraft maintenance documentation.
  • Control, process and ensure all FOIA actions are administratively correct.
  • Conduct internal audits to ensure records are compliant with Medicaid requirements.

Records manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Records Managers are proficient in Office Equipment, Access Database, and SharePoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.

We break down the percentage of Records Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Office Equipment, 16%

    Maintained office equipment including copiers and binding machines to ensure functionality.

  • Access Database, 12%

    Designed MS Access database to manage Third Party collaborators including audit results, performance reports and overall status.

  • SharePoint, 10%

    Developed Solutions and provided site and service level support for enterprise web solutions including SharePoint and KnowledgeLake.

  • DOD, 7%

    Assisted DoD and contract personnel in digitizing intelligence onto secure severs for use by senior DoD agencies.

  • Nara, 5%

    Establish requirements that are NARA compliant (inventory, records schedules and coordinating disposition approval with DOE and NARA).

  • Payroll, 4%

    Processed bi-weekly payroll management of employee recorded time worked.

"office equipment," "access database," and "sharepoint" are among the most common skills that records managers use at work. You can find even more records manager responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a records manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "health information technicians must understand and follow medical records and diagnoses, and then decide how best to code them in a patient’s medical records." Records managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "updated database of separated employees using university document imaging system and employee information in peoplesoft hr system. "

Detail oriented. Many records manager duties rely on detail oriented. "health information technicians must be accurate when recording and coding patient information.," so a records manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways records manager responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "developed a detailed preliminary analysis of data entry method for metadata and quality assurance technicians. "

Integrity. records managers are also known for integrity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to records manager responsibilities, because "health information technicians work with patient data that are required, by law, to be kept confidential." A records manager resume example shows how integrity is used in the workplace: "maintain professional and ethical relationship with faa. "

Interpersonal skills. For certain records manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a records manager rely on this skill, as "health information technicians need to be able to discuss patient information, discrepancies, and data requirements with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what records managers do: "cited for excellence in interpersonal communications, teamwork, customer service, flexibility, reliability. "

Technical skills. Another crucial skill for a records manager to carry out their responsibilities is "technical skills." A big part of what records managers relies on this skill, since "health information technicians must use coding and classification software and the electronic health record (ehr) system that their healthcare organization or physician practice has adopted." How this skill relates to records manager duties can be seen in an example from a records manager resume snippet: "managed daily operations of technical library; including online subscription services and sharepoint site. "

All records manager skills

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Compare different records managers

Records manager vs. Health information specialist

A health information specialist is in charge of overseeing and developing strategies to optimize information management procedures in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other similar environments. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and updating medical records, receiving and organizing files, and updating databases according to the appropriate coding systems and procedures. Furthermore, as a health information specialist, it is essential to coordinate with nurses and other staff to ensure accuracy in documentation, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

If we compare the average records manager annual salary with that of a health information specialist, we find that health information specialists typically earn a $13,922 lower salary than records managers make annually.Even though records managers and health information specialists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require office equipment, federal regulations, and hipaa in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between records managers and health information specialist. For instance, records manager responsibilities require skills such as "access database," "sharepoint," "dod," and "nara." Whereas a health information specialist is skilled in "patients," "medical terminology," "patient care," and "excellent organizational." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Health information specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $33,177. On the other hand, records managers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $58,862.The education levels that health information specialists earn slightly differ from records managers. In particular, health information specialists are 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a records manager. Additionally, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Records manager vs. Health care administrator

A health care administrator is primarily in charge of overseeing the daily administrative operations of medical and health care facilities. They are responsible for setting objectives, establishing guidelines and employee schedules, maintaining accurate records, gathering and analyzing data, developing strategies to optimize operations, and coordinating with nurses, physicians, patients, and other health care experts. Moreover, as a health care administrator, it is essential to address and resolve issues and concerns, implement the facility's policies and regulations, and ensure that procedures comply with health care laws and standards.

On average, health care administrators earn a $20,922 higher salary than records managers a year.A few skills overlap for records managers and health care administrators. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "payroll," "federal regulations," and "hipaa. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, records manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "office equipment," "access database," "sharepoint," and "dod." Meanwhile, a health care administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "patient care," "health care services," and "home health." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Health care administrators earn a higher average salary than records managers. But health care administrators earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $71,258. Additionally, records managers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $58,862 annually.In general, health care administrators achieve similar levels of education than records managers. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Records manager vs. Health information technician

A health information technician is primarily responsible for managing and handling patient information, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. They coordinate with various health care workers to gather patient data, laboratory results, test findings, and medical histories, encoding them in clinical databases in a timely and efficient manner. They must analyze every information to detect any inconsistencies, performing corrective measures right away. Furthermore, as a health information technician, it is essential to utilize particular software and systems when processing information, all while adhering to the hospital's policies and regulations.

On average, health information technicians earn lower salaries than records managers, with a $12,661 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on records managers and health information technicians resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "office equipment," "hipaa," and "computer system.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a records manager is likely to be skilled in "access database," "sharepoint," "dod," and "nara," while a typical health information technician is skilled in "patients," "medical terminology," "customer service," and "patient care."

Health information technicians earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,705. Comparatively, records managers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $58,862.health information technicians typically earn lower educational levels compared to records managers. Specifically, they're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Records manager vs. Medical service technician

A medical service technician provides health care and treatments to patients under the supervision or directives of a more experienced physician. Most of their responsibilities revolve around assessing a patient's condition, administering required aid, diagnosing patients, conducting check-ups, and counseling patients. There are also instances when a medical service technician may prescribe medications, conduct inspections at facilities to ensure sanitary conditions, and coordinate with hospital staff for requesting supplies. Furthermore, it is crucial to have accurate documentation of all processes and transactions, all while adhering to the hospital's policies and standards.

Medical service technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of records managers. The difference is about $9,322 per year.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "office equipment," "access database," "sharepoint," and "dod" are skills that commonly show up on records manager resumes. On the other hand, medical service technicians use skills like patients, customer service, pet, and vital signs on their resumes.The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for medical service technicians, with average annual pay of $39,185. Comparatively, the highest records manager annual salary comes from the professional industry.In general, medical service technicians hold lower degree levels compared to records managers. Medical service technicians are 7.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of records manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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