What Is a Medical Records Clerk and How to Become One
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What Does a Medical Records Clerk Do?
A medical records clerk is responsible for organizing and updating patient, insurance, and other health information into a medical record database. They use detailed coding systems to track and manage health records, spending the majority of their day entering data into a computer. While they are an important part of the healthcare industry, medical records clerks do not interact with patients.
How Do You Become a Medical Records Clerk?
To become a medical records clerk, you must have an associate or another secondary degree in health information or a related field, and you must have certification to work in your state. While some employers do not require either, most expect certification to be completed or in the process of completion, so it is in your best interest to become a licensed medical records clerk. Certification is provided by different organizations, so check the requirements in your state or with prospective employers.
Can You Do a Medical Records Clerk Job From Home?
It is possible for you to do a medical records clerk job from home. Employers will require a strong internet connection from your home, and most prefer certification. Your duties are the same at home as in an office; you will enter data, update appointments, manage records, and review and input medical coding. Employers will note that a job is work-from-home in their listings.
What Does an HIM Clerk Do?
An HIM (health information management) clerk does what other medical records clerks do; they update and organize patient records. For most entry-level HIM clerk jobs you will not need certification, but your employer may prefer it. You can train for your HIM clerk duties on-the-job, or take a class at a local community college to learn the basics. Becoming a HIM clerk is a step to becoming a certified medical records clerk.
Medical Records Clerk Job Description Sample
With this Medical Records Clerk job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Medical Records Clerk role.
Job Summary
Our clinic is seeking a Medical Records Clerk to assist with chart management. In this role, you will file and retrieve patients' medical records, ensuring that information is accurate and complete. You will also respond to release of information (ROI) requests, logging all authorizations and releases. Other tasks include preparing charts for upcoming appointments or off-site storage, as well as scanning documents to update electronic health and medical records. All applicants should be familiar with HIPAA compliance requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities
- File documents in patient charts
- Check charts for accuracy and completeness
- File or retrieve information from our EMR system
- Update patients' electronic health or medical records
- Prepare charts for appointments
- Prepare charts for off-site storage
- Respond to ROI (release of information) requests
- Follow all HIPAA regulations
- Assist with other clerical tasks as needed
Requirements and Qualifications
- A high school diploma or GED certificate
- Medical records experience preferred
- Knowledge of medical terminology a plus
- Basic computer skills
- Attention to detail
