What does a Medical Records Clerk do?
When a patient attends a clinic or hospital, the Medical Records Clerk logs information about them in their medical file. They maintain a carefully organized and secure filing system to ensure that each patient’s medical records can be easily accessed by authorized users only.
When a patient receives treatment from a health care professional, the Medical Records Clerk adds information to their file to reflect this. Additionally, they issue admission and discharge papers when a patient enters or leaves a health care facility. If a person or agency requests access to a patient’s medical file, the Medical Records Clerk takes responsibility for processing such requests per legal regulations.
Medical Records Clerk skills and qualifications
Reliability and attention to detail are two of the most important skills needed for this role. A Medical Records Clerk should also have a good working knowledge of medical terms to help improve the accuracy of record keeping. Other important skills for the job include:
- Experience with handling medical files in a previous role
- Ability to maintain a well-organized and secure filing system
- Good communication skills
- Attention to detail so mistakes are easily spotted and corrected
- Excellent time management skills
- Understanding of how hospitals and other medical facilities operate so that files are sent to the appropriate department
Medical Records Clerk experience requirements
Ideal candidates will have two to three years of experience handling medical records in a previous role, such as a Medical Secretary. Candidates are also expected to be familiar with MS Office or similar programs since many tasks will be performed electronically.
Medical Records Clerk education and training
Candidates are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Although there is no formal qualification for the position, a candidate may have gained a certificate or taken college courses in administration or secretarial studies. A Medical Records Clerk will generally receive most of their training on the job, including learning specific features of the healthcare facility where they work and procedures that need to be followed. For example, more complex records may need to be kept in a healthcare facility providing specialist treatment or care, such as in a mental health setting.
Medical Records Clerk salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, a Medical Records Clerk can expect to earn an average of $21.62 per hour in Canada. Pay can vary depending on factors such as the employee’s experience, the type of medical facility where they work, and the location of their workplace.
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