Medical records technicians are responsible for organizing and evaluating patient medical records. They make sure a patient’s medical record is up to date and accurate. They frequently communicate with doctors and other medical professionals to obtain or clarify additional information for the patient’s medical records. This data is also saved in the patient’s computer record. As a medical records technician, those who pay attention to detail and are comfortable with computers will do well; however, they will often be required to complete a two-year associate degree program.
Community and technical colleges offer such programs. Anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical coding, computers, general education courses, and other classes will be offered to the students to aid them in their future careers as medical records technicians. The student can take the exam to become a registered health information technician after completing the training (RHIT). This accreditation is required by many hospitals, and it can lead to promotions within the medical facility. Graduates of a medical records technician program can seek assistance from their school’s career office with their job search.
Each time a patient interacts with a medical professional, detailed records of that interaction are kept. In the patient’s chart, all test results, prescriptions, diagnoses, treatments, medical histories, and lists of symptoms are meticulously recorded. The medical records technician must be adept at organizing this data, as well as ensuring that all necessary forms are signed and vital patient data is entered into the computer system. Each diagnosis or medical treatment must be coded, and the technician must keep track of how much health insurance companies must reimburse the hospital or doctor for specific medical treatments.
A medical records technician collects information that is kept on file for insurance purposes or in the event that the patient returns to the facility for additional treatment. Occasionally, the technicians will gather data on the diseases that the facility has treated. Scientists and doctors can use this information to conduct research.
Hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and home healthcare providers employ medical records technicians. Smaller departments will hire an experienced technician who can supervise the entire medical records department, whereas larger facilities will hire technicians who specialize in one aspect of health care. Most technicians work 40 hours per week on average. In some cases, hospital technicians are required to work evenings and weekends. They usually work in an office setting and rarely interact with patients.