What does a Medical Clerk do?
Published 3 min read
A medical clerk is responsible for maintaining and organizing medical records, as well as performing other administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments and assisting with insurance paperwork.
Medical Clerk job duties include:
- Answer phone calls and direct them to the appropriate staff member
- Schedule appointments
- Check patients in and out
- Update patient medical records
- Handle billing and insurance paperwork
- Prepare exam rooms for patients
- Stock exam rooms with supplies
- Assist the doctor or nurse with treatments and procedures
- Answer patient questions
Medical Clerk Job Requirements
Education: A medical clerk typically needs at least a high school diploma, although some employers may prefer candidates with some college coursework or a postsecondary certificate.
Certification: Although not required, voluntary certification may be beneficial for medical clerks. The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) credential is available through the National Healthcare Association.
Experience: Many medical clerks have prior experience working in a medical office or healthcare setting. This experience can be helpful in understanding the duties and responsibilities of the role.
Medical Clerk Skills
- Filing
- Scheduling
- Answering phones
- Greeting patients
- Checking insurance
- Entering patient information
- Updating records
- Collecting co-pays
- Scanning documents
- Faxing
- Pulling charts
- Sending messages
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How to become a Medical Clerk
A medical clerk is a person who provides administrative support to medical staff in a hospital or other healthcare facility. They are responsible for maintaining medical records, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance paperwork. Medical clerks need to be detail-oriented and organized, with good customer service skills.
To become a medical clerk, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer candidates who have some experience working in a medical office or hospital setting. You will also need to be proficient in using computers and various software programs. Medical clerks typically receive on-the-job training from more experienced staff members. With experience, you may be able to advance to a position such as medical office manager or hospital administrator.
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