How Do I Become a Medical Records Clerk?

<p>As hospitals and other healthcare facilities switch to digital records, medical records clerks are in more demand than ever. </p> <p>These healthcare professionals create, organize, and maintain medical records for healthcare facilities across the country. </p> <p>With education and training that can be completed in under a year, you'll be well on your way toward a fulfilling career as a medical records clerk. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTraining">Education and Training</h3> <p>All employers require medical records clerks to have either a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/earning_a_high_school_diploma_online.html">high school diploma</a> or the equivalent. </p> <p>Many employers also require medical records clerks to have an associate degree or certificate. </p> <p>The primary purpose of associate degree and certificate programs is to teach you how to code medical records properly. </p> <p>Some medical records clerk jobs are entry-level, but many do require at least some experience in a medical environment. </p> <p>For example, you could work in a doctor's office or clinic as a receptionist to gain work experience. </p> <h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3> <p>Generally, medical records clerks compile, code, organize, and maintain medical records. </p> <p>In addition to knowing medical codes and facility procedures, these professionals need to be up-to-date on medical records laws. </p> <p>Maintaining patient privacy and the confidentiality of their medical records is always a big priority for medical records clerks. </p> <p>Because laws and regulations change frequently, medical records clerks also need continuing education to keep up-to-date. </p> <p>They also check over patient records to ensure that they're complete and accurate. </p> <h3 id="section---WorkEnvironment">Work Environment</h3> <p>Nearly a third of all medical records clerks work in hospitals. The remainder work in other healthcare facilities. </p> <p>In facilities that are open around-the-clock, medical records clerks might work on nights and weekends. </p> <p>Some work from home. This is a more flexible work environment, but does require a strong, secure internet connection. </p> <p>Being a medical records clerk is a relatively sedentary job that typically involves long hours in front of a computer. </p> <p>Unlike most <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/General_Medical_Career_Profiles.html">people in healthcare</a>, medical records clerks typically have no direct contact with the patients whose records they maintain. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS projects that overall employment of medical records clerks will grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031. </p> <p>This growth rate is about as fast as the overall average for all occupations nationwide. </p> <p>According to the BLS, approximately 14,900 new openings for medical records clerks will be available each year. </p> <p>States with the highest employment of medical records clerks include California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York. </p> <p>States with the highest concentration of available jobs include Alaska, South Dakota, Kentucky, Maine, and Idaho. </p> <h2 id="section---HowToBecomeAMedicalRecordsClerkStepByStep">How to Become a Medical Records Clerk: Step by Step</h2> <p>If you're interested in <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Career_Planning_FAQs.html">starting your career</a> as a medical records clerk, follow the step-by-step process below. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1GetAHighSchoolDiplomaOrTheEquivalent">Step 1: Get a High School Diploma or the Equivalent</h3> <p>All employers require medical records clerks to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent diploma, such as a GED. </p> <p>Medical records specialist associate and certificate programs also require students to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. </p> <p>While you're in high school, math and science classes are particularly important to prepare you for a career as a medical records clerk. </p> <p>Working or volunteering in a hospital or other healthcare facility will help prepare you for your future work environment. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2EarnAnAssociateDegree">Step 2: Earn an Associate Degree</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Associate_Degree_FAQs.html">Associate degree programs</a> can give you a leg up on the competition and better prepare you to be a medical records clerk. </p> <p>Most trade schools and community colleges offer associate degrees or certificates in medical records or medical coding. </p> <p>Many of these programs are 100% online and can be completed in as little as 12 months of study. </p> <p>Some programs include optional certification, which can greatly increase your value as a medical records clerk. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3CompleteOnTheJobTraining">Step 3: Complete On-the-Job Training</h3> <p>When you're initially hired as a medical records clerk, most facilities have a formal training period to get you up-to-speed on facility policies. </p> <p>Typically, these training periods involve working under the supervision of an experienced medical records clerk. </p> <p>Depending on the facility, you might undergo additional training or continuing education to update you on laws and regulations. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderOptionalCertification">Step 4: Consider Optional Certification</h3> <p>Some employers prefer to hire medical records clerks who have certification. Others will pay certified clerks a higher rate. </p> <p>The most common certification for medical records clerks is the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification. </p> <p>Other medical records clerks get certified as billing and coding specialists or coding specialists. </p> <p>Some certifications require candidates to have at least a certificate or associate's degree. All require you to pass a written exam. </p> <h2 id="section---BecomeAMedicalRecordsClerkToday">Become a Medical Records Clerk Today</h2> <p>To become a medical records clerk, you'll need to earn a high school diploma, an associate degree, and pursue certification for higher pay.</p>