Medical Records and Health Information Tech
Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health data to ensure its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. They code patient information for insurance reimbursement, for databases and registries, and to maintain patient medical histories.
Average Hourly Earnings
$18.42
Education
Post-secondary non-degree award
Tasks
- Review patient records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data
- Organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries
- Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
- Use classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis
- Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
- Protect patients' health information for confidentiality, authorized access for treatment, and data security
- Assign the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), using appropriate computer software
- Process patient admission or discharge documents
Work Environment
Medical records and health information technicians typically work in offices and may spend many hours in front of computer monitors. Their work must be very accurate, and they need to be skillful and comfortable with repetitive tasks. In healthcare facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may work evening or overnight shifts.
Key Traits
Conventional. Often involves following set procedures and routines. May include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually have a clear line of authority to follow.