Definition of a Filing Clerk in the Medical Field
If you want a job in the medical field that does not involve direct patient care and is quickly growing, becoming a medical filing clerk may be a good choice for you. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states the need for filing clerks will grow 20 percent between the years of 2008 and 2018, which will mean an increase of 35,100 jobs for medical filing clerks.
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Filing Clerk
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File clerks in the medical field are also called medical records clerks, health information clerks, medical records technicians and medical records coordinators, according to O*NET OnLine. A medical filing clerk gathers, organizes and manages patient health care records in hospitals, clinics and health care facilities such as federal government agencies.
Job Duties
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File clerks assemble information such as medical history, health complaints, results of examinations, tests ordered, test results and treatment processes, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). File clerks periodically review patient charts for accuracy, completeness and compliance with state and federal regulations. File clerks routinely retrieve patient records for doctors and other health care personnel, and will release copies of patient records to authorized physicians and agencies. Entering demographics, disease information, procedures and treatment into the computer are other tasks that will be expected of a file clerk. File clerks may also process admission and discharge paperwork.
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Education/Training
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You can often gain employment as a file clerk with just a high school diploma or GED. There are many employers, however, that favor applicants that have an associate's degree. In health information technology degree programs, you will learn about medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, data requirements and standards, health classifications and medical coding, reimbursement methods, records security and management and methods for improvement, according to the BLS. Many employers require you to have a certification in records management, and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers credentials which are based on passing an examination.
Required Skills
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File clerks need to possess good communication skills, such as reading and writing, because they often exchange information with health care facilities, insurance companies and other health care organizations, according to the BLS. Being proficient with computers and computer software are desirable skills because more health care facilities are using electronic health records for patient files. Critical thinking skills, speaking effectively and good time management are also necessary skills to have as a file clerk.
Wages
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According to the BLS, medical records clerks held 172,500 jobs in 2008 and the median yearly wage was $30,610. The middle 50 percent of file clerks earned between $24,290 and $39,490 per year for 2008. The lowest paid file clerks in 2008 made less than $20,440 and the highest paid earned more than $50,060 per year.
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References
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