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

Jan 23, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Medical Records Technicians play an important role in the healthcare industry. By organizing, maintaining, and protecting patient records, they help ensure that accurate medical information is readily available when needed. This is especially important as it allows physicians to quickly access information which can be used to diagnose and treat patients, resulting in better patient outcomes.

Furthermore, Medical Records Technicians also ensure that patient information is kept confidential and secure, in accordance with HIPAA regulations. This helps prevent breaches of confidential medical information, protecting both the patient and the healthcare provider.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma or GED. Before you can become a Medical Records Technician, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete a Post-Secondary Education Program. Most employers prefer to hire Medical Records Technicians who have completed a post-secondary program in medical records, medical coding, and health information technology.
Obtain Certification. Medical Records Technicians may also choose to obtain certification through organizations like the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Get On-the-Job Training. Employers may provide on-the-job training to help Medical Records Technicians get up to speed with the company's policies and procedures.
Gain Experience. With experience, Medical Records Technicians may be promoted to positions with more responsibility, such as supervisor or manager.
Maintain Certification. Medical Records Technicians should renew their certification every two years by taking continuing education courses or passing an exam.

Medical records technicians are essential to efficient and accurate healthcare services. They are responsible for organizing, filing, and maintaining medical records according to established guidelines and regulations. Their accuracy and attention to detail is critical in ensuring patient safety, as well as ensuring the accuracy of data in medical coding.

As a result, medical records technicians must possess the ideal combination of technical knowledge, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills in order to be competent in their role. they must have the ability to work with other professionals in the healthcare setting such as physicians, nurses, and administrators. they must demonstrate strong computer skills in order to effectively utilize electronic medical record systems.

All of these skills and abilities are necessary for medical records technicians to succeed in their role.

You may want to check Medical Office Manager, Medical Interpreter, and Medical Lab Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Prepare and process patient medical records, including filing, coding, and data entry.
Retrieve and analyze medical records for accuracy and completeness.
Update patient records with test results, treatments, and other relevant information.
Follow up with providers to obtain missing information in medical records.
Ensure all medical records are organized, stored, and maintained securely.
Monitor compliance with HIPAA and other applicable regulations.
Generate reports and other documents as needed.
Assist with the transfer of medical records from other facilities.
Respond to requests for patient medical records from physicians, insurance companies, and other approved individuals.
Provide technical support to medical staff regarding medical records systems and processes.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy
Expertise in medical records management and filing systems
Proficiency in computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs
Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient records
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Ability to use office equipment such as copiers and scanners

Organizational skills are an essential skill for any Medical Records Technician. A Medical Records Technician must be able to properly organize patient records and create accurate, up-to-date files. This requires the ability to quickly and accurately categorize, prioritize, and store patient information.

Without this skill, it could lead to discrepancies in patient records, potential inaccuracies in medical diagnoses, and delays in medical treatment. Furthermore, without proper organization of patient records, medical professionals may find it difficult to quickly access the information they need when treating a patient, leading to a decrease in quality of care. Therefore, it is important for Medical Records Technicians to possess strong organizational skills in order to maintain accurate and organized records, ultimately improving the quality of patient care.

Medical Assistant, Medical Device Engineer, and Medical Secretary are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with medical records?
What challenges have you faced in managing medical records?
How do you ensure that medical records are accurate and up-to-date?
Describe a specific project or task you have worked on that involved organizing medical records.
How do you ensure sensitive information is protected?
How do you stay informed of changes in the medical records industry?
What systems and software have you used to manage medical records?
How do you prioritize requests for medical records?
Describe a procedure you have implemented for indexing medical records.
What measures do you take to ensure HIPAA compliance?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Health Record (EHR) System. A digital database of patient medical records and information, used for tracking and managing patient care. (Example: Epic Systems)
Charting Software. A computer program used to create detailed medical records for individual patients. (Example: AllScripts)
Scanner. A device used to scan documents into digital format. (Example: Fujitsu ScanSnap)
Transcription Software. A program used to transcribe audio recordings of doctor-patient conversations into written text. (Example: Speech2Text)
Coding Software. A program that assigns medical codes to patient records according to industry standards. (Example: ICD-10 Coding System)
Database Management System. A software program used to store and organize patient data in a way that allows for easy retrieval and analysis. (Example: Oracle Database)
Computer Security System. A system used to protect confidential patient data from unauthorized access. (Example: Symantec Endpoint Protection)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
National Alliance for Health Information Technology (NAHIT)
National Electronic Health Records Association (NEHRA)
Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM)
National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA)
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)

We also have Medical Technician, Medical Technologist Manager, and Medical Supply Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Electronic Health Record (EHR). A digital version of a patient's medical history, including their diagnosis and treatment information.
Coding. The process of assigning codes to a patient's medical records in order to accurately track, store, and communicate information between health care professionals.
Medical Terminology. A language used by medical professionals to communicate information about a patient's diagnosis and treatments.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A set of federal regulations that protect the privacy and security of a patient's medical records.
Release of Information (ROI). The process of obtaining authorization from a patient to share their medical records with other health care providers or health insurance companies.
Data Entry. The process of inputting patient information into a computer system for storage and retrieval.
Document Scanning. The process of scanning paper documents into an electronic format for storage and retrieval.
Quality Assurance. The process of ensuring that medical records are accurate and complete, and that they meet organizational standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of certification is required for a Medical Records Technician?

A Medical Records Technician typically needs to have a Certified Medical Records Technician (CMRS) certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

What are the responsibilities of a Medical Records Technician?

The primary responsibilities of a Medical Records Technician include organizing, coding, and maintaining patient records; ensuring accuracy and completeness of data; and managing electronic health records systems.

What educational qualifications are necessary for a Medical Records Technician?

Most employers prefer Medical Records Technicians to have an associate degree in health information technology, health information management, or a related field.

What type of skills are important for a Medical Records Technician?

Medical Records Technicians need to have strong computer, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. They also need to have knowledge of medical terminology and regulatory requirements related to healthcare information.