Responsibilities
So what does an Electronic Health Records Specialist actually do? At the most basic level, they maintain patient records. This involves inputting information into secure patient databases and scanning patient paperwork. Medical practices and hospitals create a large amount of physical paperwork, and Health Records Specialists are tasked with keeping track of it all. They also work closely with medical billers and the other administrative staff members to ensure patients and insurance are billed correctly.
Salary Information
While certification isn’t always required to get a job with medical records, it greatly increases your chances of being hired. Salary for this type of job varies based on where you live, your experience, and the type of medical office you work in, but the median annual income is about $44,000.
Medical offices aren’t your only options for employment as an Electronic Health Records Specialist. Insurance companies, universities, colleges, and even the Federal government are in need of Records Specialists, and moving into auditing records increases your salary significantly.
Training: Online vs. In-person
You have two options for electronic medical records training and preparing for the certification exam: you can learn online or in person.
With in-person education, you’ll be required to attend classes, much like a traditional college. This can be difficult for people with jobs and families and other demands on their time. Completing the training can take several years and be expensive.
If you choose to enroll online instead, you’ll likely save yourself several thousand dollars. Online colleges and vocational schools, like MedCerts can be significantly less expensive than in-person schools. The programs are also generally shorter, lasting between three and six months. You’ll have access to class materials and be able to work online at any time of day or night, so it’s easier to fit into your schedule.
The MedCerts Electronic Health Records Specialist program consists of two classes, taken over 10 weeks. Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology will teach you the basics of medical terminology and vocabulary, along with anatomy, so that you can better understand written and spoken medical communications. This course lasts for six weeks and provides the foundation for the rest of the program.
The second part of this program focuses specifically on electronic medical records and lasts four weeks. You’ll learn about the ethical guidelines and laws that govern medical records, the basics of medical billing, and get hands-on experience with medical records software. Once you’ve completed both parts of this program, you’ll be able to sit for the national certification exam. The exam fee is included with the cost of your tuition, so there’s nothing else to pay out of pocket.
Start Electronic Health Records Specialist Training Today
If you’re looking for an exciting career in the medical field but aren’t interested in the hands-on, patient care side, the Electronic Health Records Specialist program may be for you. With MedCerts you can receive an affordable education and start your new career in just a few months.
