How to Be Geriatrics Medical Records Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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When a geriatrics medical records technician is hired, they are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and safety of patient medical records. This involves organizing, maintaining, and managing patient medical records. As a result, the quality of patient care is improved and the risk of medical errors is reduced.

Furthermore, the technician provides documentation of healthcare services to assist with billing and insurance processes. these professionals can help streamline the workflow in a medical practice, as well as provide guidance on legal requirements for the protection of patient information.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. The first step to becoming a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician is to obtain a high school diploma or GED. This is a prerequisite for most positions and will help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the field.
Complete Postsecondary Education. Next, you should consider pursuing postsecondary education in medical records technology. There are a variety of programs offered at community colleges and universities that offer medical records training, including courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, computer applications, and more.
Get Certified. Becoming certified as a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician is not mandatory, but it can be beneficial to your career and provide you with more opportunities. To become certified, you must pass an exam administered by either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the National Certified Medical Records Technicians Association (NCMRTA).
Get a Job. Once you have completed your education and certification, you can start looking for a job as a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities hire medical records technicians to help organize patient information, so it is important to research job openings in your area.
Continue Your Education. As technology advances and new systems are implemented, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the field. Consider taking additional courses or attending conferences to stay current on best practices and new developments in the industry.

A Geriatrics Medical Records Technician is an essential part of any health care team in providing care to elderly patients. To be a successful and efficient Geriatrics Medical Records Technician, it is important to have a strong understanding of medical terminology, excellent organizational and communication skills, and knowledge of medical regulations and privacy laws. Additionally, it is important to be able to quickly find and access records, accurately input data into the medical record system, and keep up with the latest changes in technology. With these skills and knowledge, a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician can help ensure that elderly patients receive quality health care and that their records are accurate and secure.

You may want to check Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatric Speech-Language Pathologist, and Geriatrics Certified Nursing Assistant for alternative.

Job Description

Utilize medical records software to store, retrieve and update patient information
Collect patient information from various sources, such as medical personnel, hospitals, laboratories and other healthcare facilities
Ensure accuracy and completeness of medical records
Analyze and interpret medical records to identify trends and patterns in patient care
Monitor compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory standards
Prepare reports and summaries of patient records
Maintain confidentiality of patient information
Assist with geriatric patient assessments and care plans
Assist with the coordination of care among various healthcare professionals
Provide assistance to physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers in the management of geriatric patients

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of standard medical terminology, abbreviations, and medical coding systems
Familiarity with medical record documentation requirements
Ability to accurately enter data into a medical records database
Understanding of HIPAA privacy and security regulations
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
Ability to work with a diverse population
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines

Being a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician requires a great deal of organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. The most important skill for this job is the ability to manage large volumes of medical records efficiently and accurately. This requires having a thorough understanding of medical terminology, filing systems, and medical record coding.

It is also essential to be able to identify discrepancies and errors in medical records, as well as to be able to provide information to other healthcare professionals. Being able to stay up to date with changes in laws and regulations related to the field is also essential. Having strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently are also important for this job, as it involves keeping accurate records of patient care.

Without these skills, a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician would not be able to fulfill their duties effectively, causing a detrimental effect on the quality of care provided to elderly patients.

Geriatrics Licensed Practical Nurse, Geriatric Home Care Worker, and Geriatric Psychologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with geriatric medical records?
How familiar are you with the medical records management systems used for geriatric patients?
How do you ensure accuracy and confidentiality when managing medical records?
What challenges have you faced when managing medical records for geriatric patients?
What strategies do you use to stay organized and on top of your duties as a medical records technician?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to a geriatric medical record?
How do you handle confidential information and sensitive data?
What have you done to stay up-to-date with advances in medical records management?
How do you handle competing priorities when managing multiple geriatric medical records?
What do you think is the most important skill for a geriatric medical records technician to have?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Health Records System. A system used to store and manage patient medical records electronically. (e. g. Epic Systems)
Medical Scheduling Software. Software used to schedule patient appointments and manage provider calendars. (e. g. Practice Fusion)
Medical Billing Software. A program used to generate and submit patient billing information to insurance companies. (e. g. Kareo Medical Billing)
E-Prescribing System. A system used to create, manage and transmit electronic prescriptions. (e. g. DrFirst ePrescribe)
Electronic Documentation System. An electronic system used to document patient visits and care. (e. g. Allscripts Touchworks EHR)
Clinical Decision Support System. A computerized system used to support healthcare providers during treatment decisions. (e. g. Medscape Clinical Decision Support)
Clinical Data Repository. A secure database used to store patient health information. (e. g. Cerner Millennium CDR)
Clinical Messaging System. Software used to securely communicate clinical information between healthcare providers and patients. (e. g. Secure Text Messaging)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Geriatrics Society
National Council on Aging
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Medical Directors Association
National Medical Association
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
American Society on Aging
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
American Medical Informatics Association
Gerontological Society of America

We also have Geriatrics Nursing Home Administrator, Geriatrics Hospice Chaplain, and Geriatric Pharmacist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Geriatrics. The branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of elderly people.
Clinical History. The history and details of a patients medical condition.
Diagnostic Tests. Medical tests that are used to diagnose a condition or disease.
Treatment Plans. Plans developed to address a patients medical condition, including medications and therapies.
Medication Management. The process of monitoring, prescribing, and administering medications to patients.
Insurance Claims. The process of submitting claims to insurance companies for reimbursement of medical services.
Medical Coding. The process of assigning codes to diagnoses, treatments, and procedures for billing purposes.
HIPAA Compliance. The process of adhering to the regulations set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Electronic Medical Records (EMR). The digital storage and management of patient data.
Medical Terminology. A language used by healthcare professionals to accurately describe a patients medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician?

A Geriatrics Medical Records Technician is a healthcare professional who specializes in organizing, maintaining and updating medical records for elderly patients.

What type of education is required for a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician?

Generally, a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician must have at least an associate's degree in Health Information Technology or a related field, although some employers may require a bachelor's degree.

What tasks are performed by a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician?

A Geriatrics Medical Records Technician is responsible for organizing, maintaining and updating medical records, preparing reports, verifying accuracy of information and ensuring data privacy and security.

What skills are needed to be successful as a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician?

To be successful as a Geriatrics Medical Records Technician, one must possess strong organizational, communication, computer and problem-solving skills.