Medical Records Technician

What is a Medical Records Technician?

Duties

The following work is done by medical records technicians on a regular basis:

• Take notes from a doctor and carefully transcribe the details into a patient’s permanent medical records.
• Utilise computer programs or filing systems to organise medical records and share with doctors or insurance companies.
• Ensure that a patient’s right to privacy is safeguarded by making certain that authorised access to medical information is maintained.
• Provide superior customer service by being respectful and attentive towards client concerns.
• Keep all equipment in the best operating condition and troubleshoot equipment as needed with support from the Help Desk or the IT Department.

Day In The Life

During a day, your role involves working on the computer and using other information systems to manage healthcare information effectively. Thus, entering data forms a big part of the day-to-day responsibilities, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of a disease or treatment. You also have the authority to process patient admission or discharge documentation, business or government forms in adherence to existing standards and regulations.

As a medical records technician, you will frequently be in conversation with doctors and nurses for creating care plans and carrying out treatment based on previous medical records of patients. Electronic medical records and patient care standards are very strict, which requires technicians to ensure that all HIPAA regulations are complied with. On a normal work day, responsibilities can vary depending on special projects that emerge to essential duties in relation to patient health records and distribution in a secure fashion.

Work Schedule And Typical Hours

Most job positions are full-time but in healthcare facilities that are open around the clock, technicians work overnight or evening shifts as required. The most common work setting for medical records technician is a hospital, physicians’ office or clinic, where they work with fellow medical staff to compile patient documentation. Work can involve prolonged walking, standing, sitting or bending as well as reaching high shelves to retrieve medical files.

Growth Of The Job

This job sector is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2014 to 2024, leading to 29,000 jobs for medical records technicians. With the continuous evolution of insurance systems and healthcare regulations, medical coding will be a prized asset. The number of people with access to health insurance will rise due to insurance reforms.

Further, an aging population combined with new advances in healthcare will hike up employment opportunities for healthcare experts tremendously. Special purpose registries might emerge to address illnesses detected and treated later in life as the population becomes older. Prospects will be very good for those with a certification in health information.

Typical Employers

In this role, you will find many job opportunities with state, local and private hospitals, at physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities and other healthcare settings. Other areas where medical information is used also hire technicians in this sector such as insurance companies, software vendors, pharmaceutical companies, rehabilitation centres, home healthcare agencies and government agencies. Specific examples of potential employers are: The US Oncology Network, Aspen Surgical, Catapult Consultants, NANA Development Corporation, Scanstat Technologies, UnityPoint Health, Department Of Veterans Affairs, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, Alliance HealthCare Services, etc.