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What does a Medical Clerk do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

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

Related: Top Medical Clerk Skills: Definition and Examples

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.

Related: Medical Clerk Resume Example

Related: Medical Clerk Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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