How Do I Become a Medical Records Clerk?
If you have a knack for organizing information, learn how you could put your skills to work as a medical records clerk or technician.
Medical records clerks, also called medical records specialists or technicians, are responsible for organizing medical records.
This fast-paced career requires you to have strong organizational skills and good attention to detail.
If you think you've got what it takes, read on to learn about the education and training you need to become a medical records clerk.
What Is a Medical Records Clerk?
As hospitals and other healthcare facilities switch to digital records, medical records clerks are in more demand than ever.
These healthcare professionals create, organize, and maintain medical records for healthcare facilities across the country.
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.
<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>