Health records technicians collect, classify, store, retrieve and analyze
health information. Though normally found in hospitals, they also work in
government agencies, industry, community health centre and insurance companies.
In
this job, there are as many as 50 different types of health reports and as you
receive them, your first duty will be to code the report by type. You will check
the accuracy and completeness of the records, making sure that files are not
missing signatures or other vital items.
You will be obliged to protect the
privacy and security of this data. You will also ensure that the information
meets legal, ethical and professional standards, public laws, or hospital
policies. Often this requires a good knowledge of hospital standards and
procedures.
Part of your job will involve analyzing data and turning it into
reports complete with charts and graphs. The information may assist doctors in
caring for patients. It helps hospital administrators control costs. And it may
be used as evidence in court cases.
To do this job, you will need good analytical and communication skills, both
written and verbal. You should also be able to learn quickly. The job will
especially appeal to you if you are interested in medicine and medical
informatioYou have to like paperwork. There's a lot of detail and a vast number
of charts. A good memory is a bonus. You have to be well organized, good at
managing your time and ready to accept responsibility.
The work can be
varied and it demands flexibility. Like other parts of the medical world, how
things are done in health records changes all the time.
You will either be
salaried or paid hourly. You will be seated close to your co-workers and the
quality and speed at which you work will affect them. You will also have to deal
with both administrative and medical staff, some of whom may not like paperwork.
Because of all of these demands, the work can be stressful.
The two-year health records technician program will fill in any significant gaps in your knowledge. You'll take courses in medical science, health records science, as well as aspects of professionalism and personal development. You'll learn roughly the same amount of theoretical medical knowledge as you would in a nursing program.