A medical record clerk maintains patient records in a doctor’s office, hospital, or medical billing office. They may transcribe records into digital format, answer phones, assist patients, and forward records to appropriate locations. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
A medical record clerk is one who works in the doctor’s office, hospital, or medical billing office and is responsible for maintaining patient records. This job is generally considered an entry-level position, and a medical record clerk is typically required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Depending on the size of the practice, a registrar may also need to provide customer service.
On a daily basis, a medical record clerk may be responsible for checking which patients have appointments that day and pulling copies of their records or charts from a filing system for reference to the physician and nursing staff throughout the day. Some offices keep double copies of medical records, one hard copy and one on the computer. The record attendant may need to transcribe medical records into digital format and update them as needed as patient records change. Additionally, a medical record clerk may be the first person a patient encounters upon entering the office and may be responsible for initially creating the chart and collecting basic patient data such as address, phone number, and emergency contact information. .
In a smaller office, a medical records clerk may need to answer phones and assist patients with making appointments. Some can also answer billing questions. A large part of a medical record clerk’s job also involves making copies of records and forwarding them to the appropriate locations. For example, insurance companies, hospitals, other doctors’ offices or patients may request copies, which must be produced quickly and accurately. The record attendant is usually responsible for signing the records and keeping track of them, as patient privacy is a serious matter.
A medical records clerk may need to learn billing codes for insurance companies and help doctors prepare insurance forms. A records clerk can also enter the patient’s lab results into the records, as well as include other necessary forms, such as growth charts or allergy lists. Duties can vary as needed and it is important for anyone wanting to become a bookkeeper to be organized, efficient and detail-oriented to ensure that records remain accurate. To become a medical record clerk, you may be required to work in a physician’s office or other medical facility for a period of time to gain experience and familiarity with the practice. Most clerks work regular, full-time hours, and many employers also offer benefits.
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