What is the role and duties of medical assistant in maintaining electronic health records?

Medical records assistants are the glue that holds together the healthcare system. They’re responsible for ensuring that doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals have access to the information they need when they need it.

Medical records assistants typically work behind the scenes, but their efforts are critical to keeping everything running smoothly. They commonly handle a wide range of tasks related to patient records, including filing, organizing, retrieving, updating, and even transcribing information from these records into electronic databases or digital formats.

Medical Records Assistant Job Duties

A medical records assistant typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Ensuring that all medical records are stored securely so that they can be accessed quickly if needed
• Explaining billing procedures to patients who are responsible for paying their own medical bills
• Taking patient vitals at each visit, including weight, height, and blood pressure
• Recording patient medical histories by gathering information from patients and physicians about diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
• Communicating with physicians’ offices and insurance companies regarding insurance coverage and claims processing
• Processing insurance forms and billing statements for services provided by the practice
• Keeping track of inventory for office supplies and equipment such as staplers, paperclips, pens, and computer disks
• Maintaining records of appointments, including dates, times, duration, and type of service provided
• Organizing and maintaining medical records using computer systems and manual filing systems

Medical Records Assistant Salary & Outlook

Medical records assistants’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the company they work for, and the geographic location of their job.

• Median Annual Salary: $34,500 ($16.59/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $54,500 ($26.2/hour)

The employment of medical records assistants is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

As the large baby-boom population ages, more medical records assistants will be needed to work with older patients and their healthcare providers. As people age, they are more likely to have chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, that require regular doctor visits.

Medical Records Assistant Job Requirements

A medical records assistant typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Medical records assistants are typically required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in health information management or a related field. These programs typically include courses in health care administration, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and computer applications.

Training & Experience: Most medical records assistants receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may last for a few weeks to a month and may include shadowing a current medical records assistant or a medical assistant. The training may also include learning about the facility’s computer systems and software.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not usually a requirement for a role as a medical records assistant, they can be valuable in finding a job and increasing your earning potential.

Medical Records Assistant Skills

Medical records assistants need the following skills in order to be successful:

Attention to detail: Medical records assistants must have excellent attention to detail to ensure they accurately transcribe medical records and enter the correct information into the database. Attention to detail is also important when filing and organizing patient files.

Communication skills: Medical records assistants often communicate with patients, doctors and other medical staff. Effective communication skills can help you convey information clearly and answer questions. You can also use your communication skills to maintain a positive work environment and build relationships with your colleagues.

Knowledge of medical terminology: Medical terminology is a specialized language used by medical professionals to communicate with one another. It’s important for a medical records assistant to have a strong understanding of medical terminology so they can accurately transcribe medical records. Medical records assistants should also be familiar with medical abbreviations and acronyms so they can accurately interpret medical records.

Computer proficiency: Computer proficiency is a necessary skill for a medical records assistant. You should be able to navigate computer programs, input data and create files and folders. You should also be able to use a scanner and a printer.

Organizational skills: Medical records assistants often work in an office setting, so it’s important to have strong organizational skills. This can help you keep your work area clean and free of clutter. Organizational skills can also help you keep track of files and paperwork, which is a large part of your job.

Medical Records Assistant Work Environment

Medical records assistants work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices. They typically work full time, and some may have to work evenings or weekends to keep up with the demands of the job. Medical records assistants spend most of their time sitting at a desk, using a computer to input and retrieve data. They may be required to lift and carry heavy boxes of medical records, which can be physically demanding. The work can be stressful at times, especially when deadlines are tight or when working with difficult patients.

Medical Records Assistant Trends

Here are three trends influencing how medical records assistants work. Medical records assistants will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Use of Electronic Health Records

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) is becoming increasingly common in medical offices across the country. This trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the need for efficiency and the desire to improve patient care.

As EHRs become more popular, medical records assistants will need to learn how to use them effectively. This includes understanding how to enter data into the system and manage patient information.

Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care is a healthcare model that focuses on meeting the needs of the patient rather than the doctor. It involves providing care that is tailored to the individual and takes into account their preferences and values.

Medical records assistants can play an important role in this model by ensuring that all of the patient’s information is accurate and up to date. They can also help to create a positive experience for the patient by making sure that they are comfortable and informed about what to expect during their visit.

More Focus on Patient Satisfaction

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on patient satisfaction in the medical industry. This is due to the fact that hospitals and other medical facilities are realizing that patient satisfaction is an important indicator of quality care.

As a result, medical records assistants will need to be able to provide excellent customer service to patients. They will also need to be able to track and measure patient satisfaction in order to ensure that the facility is meeting its goals.

How to Become a Medical Records Assistant

A career as a medical records assistant (MRA) can be a great way to get started in the healthcare field. MRAs have a lot of opportunities for growth and can move up the ladder to become supervisors, managers, or even directors of medical records.

To become an MRA, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You’ll also need to be able to work with computers and have good organizational skills.

Related: How to Write a Medical Records Assistant Resume

Advancement Prospects

Most medical records assistants start their careers working in entry-level positions. With experience, they may advance to supervisory roles or positions with more responsibility, such as working with specific types of medical records or handling release-of-information requests. Some medical records assistants may also choose to become certified, which can lead to higher earnings and more job opportunities.

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