Top 10 Medical Records Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for medical records assistants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of professional expertise and competence. Employers want to hire individuals who have proven that they are knowledgeable about their field and can handle the responsibilities of the job. Certifications provide employers with assurance that candidates have received formal training and have passed tests proving their skills and knowledge. They also show employers that medical records assistants are committed to their profession and willing to continually update their knowledge and skills.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Medical Records Assistants and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Medical Records Assistant Certifications?

Medical records assistant certification is a specialized certification program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage medical records in a professional healthcare setting. This certification can help professionals gain an edge in the competitive healthcare industry, as it demonstrates their commitment to providing quality care and services. Medical records assistants are responsible for maintaining patient data and ensuring accuracy in patient information. The certification provides training on various aspects of medical record keeping, including confidentiality, legal compliance, and coding systems. It also covers topics such as data entry, filing systems, retrieval methods, and document management. In addition to these skills, certified medical records assistants can have greater job stability and higher salaries than those without this credential. With this certification, professionals will be better equipped to handle the demands of the modern healthcare system while providing accurate and secure records for their patients.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a medical records assistant certification program, make sure that the program is accredited by an organization recognized by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This will ensure that you are receiving the best possible education and training for your certification.

Related: What does a Medical Records Assistant do?

Top 10 Medical Records Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Medical Records Assistants today.

1. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to demonstrate proficiency in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is designed to ensure that healthcare professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage patient data within an EHR system.

To become a CEHRS, an individual must pass the NHA's CEHRS exam. This exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, privacy and security, and legal issues related to EHRs. The exam typically takes about two hours to complete.

In order to take the CEHRS exam, individuals must first submit an application and pay a fee of $150. Once their application is approved, they can register for the exam through the NHA website or by calling customer service at 1-800-499-9092.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where it is taken; however, most locations charge between $200 and $250 per attempt. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with studying for and taking the exam, such as books or study materials.

Once an individual has passed the CEHRS exam, they will receive a certificate from NHA indicating their successful completion of the program. This certificate will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

2. Certified Medical Records Technician (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Records Technician (CMRS) is an individual who has completed a certification program that demonstrates their knowledge and skills in the field of medical records management. The CMRS certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The program consists of a comprehensive online course, which covers topics such as medical recordkeeping, coding systems, legal and ethical issues, and information technology. The course also includes practical exercises to help students develop their skills in medical recordkeeping. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to take the CMRS exam.

The CMRS exam is administered by AHIMA and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering the topics covered in the course. To pass the exam, applicants must score at least 70 percent or higher on all sections. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $299 for members of AHIMA or $399 for non-members.

Once a candidate has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CMRS certification from AHIMA. This certification is valid for five years and must be renewed every five years to maintain its validity.

3. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management of health information data. They are responsible for ensuring that all medical records and data are accurate, secure, and compliant with federal regulations. RHITs also analyze patient data to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

To become an RHIT, individuals must complete an associate degree program in health information technology from an accredited college or university. These programs typically take two years to complete and include courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, coding systems, database management, legal aspects of healthcare information, and more.

In addition to completing an associate degree program, individuals must pass the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy & physiology; disease processes; coding & classification systems; reimbursement methodologies; healthcare privacy & security; legal aspects of healthcare information; and more.

The cost of taking the RHIT exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $300-$400 to take the exam at a testing center or online through AHIMA's website.

4. Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA)

Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA) is a professional certification that certifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in managing medical office operations. It is designed for individuals who are working in, or aspiring to work in, the medical office field. The CMOA certification is offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified as a CMOA, you must pass the NHA Certified Medical Office Administrator Exam. This exam covers topics such as medical terminology, billing and coding procedures, patient care management, customer service and communication skills, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within two hours.

The cost of taking the NHA Certified Medical Office Administrator Exam is $139. You can register for the exam online at www.nhanow.com/certifications/cmoa/. Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your study materials and practice exams.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CMOA certification from NHA and will be able to use it when applying for jobs or promotions in the medical office field.

5. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

A Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional certification for medical coding specialists. It is the gold standard in medical coding certifications and is offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPC credential verifies an individual's competency to accurately interpret and apply the most current medical coding systems, including ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-PCS.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CPC exam. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers all aspects of medical coding. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that must be completed within five hours.

To get certified as a CPC, individuals must first join AAPC and pay the membership fee. After joining AAPC, individuals can purchase study materials from AAPC or other sources to help them prepare for the exam. They can also take advantage of free resources such as practice exams, webinars, and online courses provided by AAPC. Once they have studied enough to feel confident taking the exam, they can register for it on the AAPC website and pay the associated fee.

The cost of becoming a CPC varies depending on whether you are already an AAPC member or not. If you are already an AAPC member then it will cost $399 USD to take the exam; if you are not a member then it will cost $499 USD to take the exam plus $129 USD for one year of membership with AAPC.

6. Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)

A Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) is a healthcare professional who specializes in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to cancer patients. CTRs are responsible for collecting and maintaining detailed medical records on all cancer patients; they also use this information to track patient outcomes and provide accurate reporting to health organizations and government agencies. The CTR must have an in-depth understanding of the disease process, as well as the regulations that govern the field.

To become a Certified Tumor Registrar, individuals must meet certain educational requirements and pass a certification exam administered by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA). To be eligible for the exam, individuals must have at least two years of full-time experience in cancer registry work or equivalent education. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, epidemiology, coding systems, data management systems, public health principles, and legal issues.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $350-$600 USD. It typically takes about six weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

7. Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)

Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) is a certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize professionals who have mastered the coding of outpatient services and procedures. The COC credential is held by individuals who demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying the correct coding principles for services provided in hospital outpatient settings, ambulatory surgery centers, and other non-inpatient settings.

The COC exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have two years of professional coding experience or hold one of AAPC’s other credentials. The exam fee is $399 for members of AAPC and $499 for non-members.

In order to maintain their COC certification, coders must obtain continuing education credits every two years. This can be done through attending conferences or workshops, taking online courses, or self-study activities such as reading medical journals or books related to coding.

8. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). It is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare quality management. The CPHQ certification is designed to recognize and reward professionals who demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field of healthcare quality.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CPHQ exam. During this time, individuals should study topics such as patient safety, risk management, performance improvement, data collection and analysis, and quality assurance. To be eligible for the CPHQ exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time professional experience in healthcare quality or related fields.

To obtain the CPHQ certification, individuals must pass an examination administered by NAHQ. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of healthcare quality management. The exam fee is $375 for NAHQ members and $450 for non-members. After passing the exam, individuals must complete a recertification process every three years to maintain their certification status.

9. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a professional organization that provides certification for health information management professionals. AHIMA certification is designed to verify the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals in the health information management field. It is a voluntary credential that can be obtained by passing an exam administered by AHIMA.

It typically takes between six and eight weeks to prepare for the AHIMA certification exam. Preparation involves studying the material covered on the exam, such as medical terminology, coding systems, data analysis, and privacy and security regulations. It also involves taking practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format of the actual test.

To get AHIMA certified, you must first complete an approved education program or have at least two years of experience in a related field. You must then register for and pass the AHIMA certification exam. The cost of registration varies depending on which type of certification you are seeking. For example, a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification costs $299 for members or $399 for non-members; a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification costs $349 for members or $449 for non-members; and a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification costs $399 for members or $499 for non-members.

Once you have passed your exam, you will be officially certified by AHIMA and can use the credentials after your name to demonstrate your expertise in health information management.

10. Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner Certification (CDIP).

Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner Certification (CDIP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in the field of clinical documentation improvement. The CDIP certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The CDIP certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in the field of health information management and/or coding, as well as successful completion of an accredited educational program or equivalent work experience. To become certified, applicants must pass the CDIP exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding principles and guidelines, quality improvement processes, and more.

The exam typically takes about three hours to complete and costs $299 for AHIMA members or $399 for non-members. Once certified, individuals are required to maintain their certification status through continuing education credits every two years.

Overall, obtaining the CDIP certification can be a great way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of clinical documentation improvement. It can also help open up new job opportunities and increase earning potential.

Do You Really Need a Medical Records Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your particular situation. If you are already employed in a medical records office, then it is likely that you do not need a Medical Records Assistant Certificate. However, if you are seeking new employment in the field or want to become a certified professional, then obtaining a Medical Records Assistant Certificate may be beneficial.

A Medical Records Assistant Certificate provides evidence of your knowledge and understanding of medical records procedures and guidelines. It also demonstrates that you have the skills and qualifications necessary to perform the job responsibly and accurately. As such, having a certificate may make you more attractive to potential employers or help you stand out from other applicants when applying for positions in the medical records field.

Furthermore, many employers now require their employees to have at least some formal training in medical recordkeeping before they can begin working with patient records. A Medical Records Assistant Certificate can provide proof of your training and competency in this area, making it easier for employers to trust their decision to hire you.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Medical Records Assistant Certificate depends on your specific situation and goals. If you are already working as an assistant in the field but would like to become certified or seek higher-level positions, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial for your career prospects.

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FAQs About Medical Records Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Medical Records Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Medical Records Assistant Certification is an industry-recognized certification that shows employers you have the skills and knowledge needed to work as a medical records assistant. It verifies your ability to perform tasks such as filing, coding, and organizing patient records, as well as other administrative duties related to healthcare record keeping.

2. How do I become certified as a Medical Records Assistant?

Answer: To become certified as a Medical Records Assistant, you must complete an approved training program or course of study in medical records management and pass an exam administered by a recognized certifying body.

3. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get certified will vary depending on the specific certifying body and the type of training program you choose. Generally speaking, it takes about 6 months to complete the required coursework and pass the exam.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a Medical Records Assistant?

Answer: Becoming a Medical Records Assistant offers many benefits including job security, increased earning potential, professional development opportunities, and career advancement opportunities. Additionally, this certification can help open doors for individuals looking for jobs in the healthcare field by demonstrating their expertise in medical records management.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require applicants to have some prior experience with medical records management or related fields such as health information technology or office administration before they can apply for certification. Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have earned a high school diploma or GED equivalent.