What Is a Medical Records Administrator?
A Medical Records Administrator is a person who maintains the medical records of patients. These records are vital in legal and insurance claims. In some cases, this individual may be called to testify in court regarding the record-keeping practices. Therefore, a medical records administrator must take great care when handling and filing legal documents. They must be able to retrieve the data in a timely manner. The job of a Medical Records Administration is not an easy one.
As a medical records administrator, your main task will be to maintain patient information in an organized and secure manner. You will be handling the data of hospital patients and their families and medical documents, which are usually sensitive and personal. As a medical records administrator, you must understand and apply various privacy laws, confidentiality policies, and procedures. You must be able to manage a team and supervise the performance of other employees. You must be able to establish effective working relationships with your co-workers and supervise your unit’s personnel to ensure they are doing their jobs correctly.
A Medical Records Administrator ensures that patient data is accurate and maintained. A medical records administrator oversees the updating of patient records. For example, after a medical procedure, the health information worker will enter the new data into the electronic system that stores the patient’s medical record. This process is done according to state and hospital policies. However, a graduate degree in this field will open doors to advanced positions in the health industry. The training and certification requirements are more rigorous.
The salary of a Medical Records Administrator varies depending on the education and years of experience. The higher your education, the higher the salary. A high demand for medical records administrators can be expected in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Medical Records Administrators are projected to grow by 20 percent. The job requires high attention to detail and the ability to maintain patient confidentiality. So, it is important to be knowledgeable about what this career entails.
A Medical Records Administrator supervises the activities of a medical records center. They also oversee the coding of patient records and abstract the data for reports. A medical records administrator must also oversee the performance of unit staff members. Among other duties, he or she should be able to establish effective working relationships with patients and healthcare workers. The role of a Medical Records Administrator is important to the healthcare system because it involves sensitive information. A good administrator will be able to manage these sensitive files and maintain confidentiality.
In order to become a Medical Records Administrator, it is essential to be credentialed. This position is a great opportunity for individuals who are accustomed to dealing with patient information. Having a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration will allow a person to work in this field. Having a certification in this field is helpful in the future. Moreover, it will help an individual progress within the healthcare organization. So, if you are considering a career in medical records administration, consider getting certified.