OVERVIEW
What Is a Medical Records Technician?
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MRTs are healthcare professionals who specialize in medical coding systems and digitizing patient information into accurate electronic health records. Some of the patient information they work with includes:听
- Reason for visit
- Symptoms exhibited听
- Diagnosis given听
- Test results听
- Treatments prescribed听
- Further tests needed听
MRTs code and categorize this patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients鈥� medical and treatment histories. It鈥檚 also their job to properly handle patient information so that it鈥檚 kept secure and confidential, according to听.听听
You can also find the role of medical records technician listed under titles such as 鈥�health information technician,鈥� 鈥渉ealth information specialist,鈥� and 鈥渉ealth information management technician.鈥�
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Medical Records Technician Do?
As an MRT, you鈥檒l handle a variety of administrative tasks, mostly related to the organization and protection of patient medical records. Some of these responsibilities can include:
- Reviewing patients鈥� records听for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy.
- Organizing and updating information听in clinical databases or registries.
- Creating and maintaining听medical records.
- Collaborating听with other healthcare staff to ensure an organized workplace.
- Communicating details听to healthcare providers and insurers.
- Using classification systems听to assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement and data analysis.
- Electronically recording data听for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting.
- Maintaining confidentiality听of patients鈥� records.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Medical Records Technician?
Becoming a medical records technician involves the completion of a training program鈥攗sually a certificate or associate degree.听But if you really want to stand out to potential employers, consider the following educational path:听听
- Earn your bachelor鈥檚 degree:听A听health information management degree听is a great way to get ahead in this career field. This type of degree program covers both the healthcare fundamentals involved in medical records as well as the technical aspects and software systems that record technicians need to know听in order to听be successful.听
- Get certified:听Many employers prefer applicants with certifications, such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers this credential to those who complete the training and pass a written examination. You can also get certified through the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialist (PAHCS) or the Board of Medical Specialty Coding & Compliance (BMSC).
- Pursue a specialty:听Each workplace for medical records technicians meets the needs of different health conditions, age groups, and communities. Consider if there is a healthcare setting that appeals to you. If so, then seeking a specialty certification can maximize your skills and help you remain competitive in this field.
Best Degrees for a Medical Records Technician
Health & Nursing
Health Information Management 鈥� B.S.
A program designed for future leaders in HIM....
A program designed for future leaders in HIM.
- Time:听61% of grads earned this degree in听36 months or less.
- Tuition:听$4,210 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 total courses in this program.
Skills for your r茅sum茅 that you will learn in this program:
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare System Applications
- Health Information Law and Regulations
- Healthcare Project Management
- Data Analytics and Information Governance
This CAHIIM-accredited program makes you eligible for the RHIA exam.听
Business
Healthcare Administration 鈥� B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63%听of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition:听$3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your r茅sum茅 you will learn in this program include:听
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic听Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
How Much Does a听Medical Records Technician Make?
$47,180
The median annual wage for medical records and health information specialists is听, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10% earned less than $31,710, and the highest 10% earned more than $75,460.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?听
8%
According to the BLS, the employment for medical records and health information specialists is听听from 2022 to 2032, with 37,100 new jobs expected during that timeframe.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a听Medical Records Technician Need?
Some commonly listed skills in MRT job descriptions include:
- Knowledge of electronic medical record management systems such as RXNT and AdvancedMD.
- Attention to detail.
- Ethical integrity.
- Experience in data encryption and protection.
- Ability to use computers and different kinds of software.
- Extensive experience in categorizing and coding written and spoken patient information.
- Proficiency in medical terminology and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
- Ability to maintain and update medical records.
- Ability to perform detailed tasks under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
MRTs are highly organized, tech-savvy, and detail-oriented individuals.听To enter this career field, it鈥檚 important听to have a basic understanding of the healthcare system, an interest in medical coding, and a balance of soft skills that allow you to work with insurance companies and providers.听
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