What does a Medical Records Technician do?
Published 3 min read
A medical records technician is responsible for organizing, managing, and maintaining patient medical records. They may also be responsible for coding and billing information, as well as scheduling appointments and maintaining communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Medical Records Technician job duties include:
- Maintaining medical records
- Filing and retrieving medical records
- Scanning and indexing medical records
- Managing medical record documentation
- Updating patient information in medical records
- Coordinating with other departments to obtain missing information
- Following up on incomplete medical records
- Generating reports from medical records
- Assisting with audits of medical records
- Maintaining confidentiality of patient information
Medical Records Technician Job Requirements
Education: A medical records technician typically needs to have an associate's degree in health information technology.
Certification: Although not required, many medical records technicians choose to become certified through the American Health Information Management Association.
Experience: Some medical records technicians may be able to find entry-level positions with just a few months of on-the-job training. However, most employers prefer candidates who have at least one year of experience working with medical records.
Medical Records Technician Skills
- Analytical skills
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
- Research skills
- Writing skills
- Editing skills
Related: Top Medical Records Technician Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Medical Records Technician
A medical records technician is a professional who is responsible for organizing and maintaining the medical records of patients in a healthcare facility. As a medical records technician, you will be responsible for ensuring that the medical records of patients are accurate and up-to-date. In order to become a medical records technician, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to complete a training program that is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Once you have completed your training, you will be eligible to take the AHIMA certification exam.
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