How to Write a Medical Data Entry Resume (With Example)

Updated June 10, 2023

It takes a strong team to operate a health care facility effectively, and a medical data entry clerk is an essential part of that team. These professionals file medical documents securely, process patient data, and update patient charts to ensure accuracy and facilitate a positive patient experience. Understanding the role and how to format a resume for this position can help you draft a resume that appeals to hiring managers. In this article, we explore the role of medical data entry clerk, describe how to write a medical data entry resume, offer tips for success, and provide a template and example.

What is a medical data entry resume?

Job seekers may prepare a medical data entry resume when seeking a position in a health care setting, such as a pharmacy, hospital, lab, or physician's office. To appeal to hiring managers, you can explain your experience with transcribing information from printed records into a database. Professionals can use their resumes to showcase their skills related to this role, including the handling of confidential medical information, knowledge of privacy rules and regulations, and attention to detail.

How to write a resume for a medical data entry clerk

Here are the steps for writing a medical data entry resume that you can follow to create one of your own:

1. Review the job posting

Review the job posting carefully for a clear understanding of what the hiring manager is looking for so you can tailor your resume to the position. It's helpful to identify keywords to include in your resume, such as information processing or specific database systems. Once you have completed your resume, you can cross-reference the job posting again to ensure your application has covered all the key requirements of the position.

2. Add your contact information

You can include your name and contact information at the top of your resume in the header section to make it easy for hiring managers to contact you. Contact information typically includes your phone number, professional e-mail, and location. Hiring managers rarely expect candidates to include their entire physical address on resumes, so it's acceptable to include only your city and province or territory in this section.

3. Draft your professional summary

A professional summary is a one to three-sentence statement that introduces you to the hiring manager and provides essential information related to your suitability for the role. You can include your reasons for applying for the position if you have one that might resonate with the hiring manager or align with the company's mission or values. This statement is important, as it encourages the hiring manager to continue reading your resume and provides an opportunity for you to explain why you're an excellent candidate.

4. Highlight your job experience

As many of these medical data entry positions are entry-level, you may not have specific data entry experience to highlight. If you have any experience working or volunteering in a medical setting or in a position that requires confidentiality or fine attention to detail, you can include that here. You can list at least two prior positions or relevant volunteer experience if you're newer to the job market. This section typically includes the following information:

Your job title
The company's name
The company's location
The dates of your employment
Bulleted list of three to five responsibilities or duties while in the role
Quantitative and measurable examples of your success and accomplishments to showcase your skills and abilities

5. Include your educational background

Candidates are typically required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Although there's no formal qualification for the position, some candidates choose to take data entry or health care administration courses to improve their resumes and appeal to hiring managers. You can list your highest level of education, relevant certificates, and other qualifications that relate to the medical data entry position in the education section. Along with your educational information, you can also add any experience or accomplishments related to your studies. For example, you might highlight your role as a secretary of a volunteer association.

6. List your related skills

Attractive candidates use the skills section to demonstrate that they are familiar with legal and ethical issues that come with inputting patient information. It's important to highlight your data entry skills, along with your ability to uphold patient privacy and confidentiality. You can use the skills section to list your abilities specifically outlined in the job posting and throughout your resume. For example, submitting a resume that's free from errors and well-organized showcases your excellent attention to detail and ability to enter data correctly. Here are some skills you can include in this section:

Software knowledge
Communication
Typing
Detail-oriented
Time management
Ability to work as a team
Knowledge of medical terminology

7. Format and proofread your resume

It's important to review your resume for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors to show professionalism and highlight your administrative skills. You can ask a friend or colleague to review your resume and compare it to the job listing to ensure it's error-free and accurately reflects your suitability for the position. They can offer recommendations on areas of improvement and catch any errors you might have missed in your review.

Tips for writing a medical data entry resume

Here are some tips to help you write an effective resume for a medical data entry clerk position:

Use action verbs. Using action verbs can provide the hiring manager with precise information about your abilities and indicates action and initiative in your work.

Include relevant classes in your education section. For entry-level candidates who are still gaining work experience, it's helpful to include specific course titles and proficiency that indicate your abilities and skill levels to hiring managers.

Add more sections when relevant. Depending on the job listing and experience, you can add a section about volunteer work or specialized training to showcase your unique abilities related to the role.

Highlight your skills. If you have limited experience, you can highlight specific skills as they relate to the role for which you're applying, such as your typing speed to express your efficiency.

Explain your experience. When listing your job duties in your resume, you can list five experience items for your most recent role and three items for previous roles.

Medical data entry resume template

Here's a template you can use to start your resume for a medical data entry clerk position:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification, if applicable]
[Phone number] | [E-mail address] | [City], [Province or territory]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education, or certifications and achievements.]

Education

[Degree], [Major] | [Date of graduation]
[Name of School or University]

Optional
[Certification Name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Experience

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Example of a medical data entry clerk resume

Here's an example of a resume for a medical data entry clerk that you can use as a guide to create your own:

Jordan Kumar
123-456-7890 | jkumar@email.com | Winnipeg, MB

Professional Summary
Dedicated data entry clerk with strong written and verbal communication skills with an average typing speed of 45 words per minute. Passionate about improving medical record accuracy to improve the patient experience and facilitate positive outcomes.

Work Experience

Data entry clerk intern | August 2020–Current
Tech Crunch Medical Labs | Winnipeg, MB

Assist with updating records after a medical professional completed patient intake
Enter data into the medical database system while double-checking lab details with patient information
Use the bar-coding system efficiently to organize and prepare lab reports for medical professionals
Organize lab reports for supervisor review and send final reports to appropriate physicians and other medical professionals
Prepare daily operational reports on lab efficiency

Co-op summer student | May 2019–August 2019
Wavewood Mental Health Facility | Winnipeg, MB

Answered phone calls and facilitated appointment scheduling
Processed, organized, and managed inventory of clinic supplies to ensure proper stock levels
Assisted with record filing and pulling charts for daily appointments