Electronic Health Records Specialist Training: What to Expect

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Medical office specialists are in demand. As the aging population turns to healthcare professionals for their care, you see more of these positions opening up in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, hospitals, urgent care centers and wellness clinics. If you’re ready for a fast-paced career in an office environment, consider becoming an Electronic Health Records Specialist.

What Does an Electronic Health Records Specialist Do?

As a vital part of the healthcare team, an Electronic Health Records Specialist (EHR) is responsible for updating patient records, transcribing doctor’s notes and charting procedure codes. Each office has unique needs, so part of your role might also include billing or patient communication — whether in person, by email or over the phone.

Regardless of the specifics, you’ll collaborate with other team members to streamline office tasks and ensure patients, medical professionals and insurance companies are on the same page.

What to Expect in a Typical Day

In your role as an Electronic Health Records Specialist, you’ll start each day by clocking in and setting up your computer station. Then, the work begins!

Your workdays will never look identical because each day brings new faces and challenges. While your morning might involve inputting yesterday’s in-office procedures, your afternoon could be spent contacting health insurance companies about billing codes or reimbursement statuses.

The next day, you might enter new patient data into the health management system. Or, you could generate financial reports and medical claims for the office. Daily tasks foster a sense of pride and fulfillment as you help with office operations — and create a comfortable environment for patients and coworkers.

MedCerts Training: 3 Electronic Health Records Programs

Electronic Health Records programs have several subspecialties to support such a highly varied position. MedCerts offers three subspecialty programs to ensure you get the right training for the job.

1. Electronic Health & Medical Records Specialist

In the Electronic Health & Medical Records Specialist program, you’ll learn about patient data confidentiality, patient outreach, records maintenance, document management and other crucial tasks.

You’ll take three EHR training courses:

  • PS 1011: Professionalism in Allied Health

  • HI 1014: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

  • HI 1018: Electronic Health Records

2. Medical Front Office & Electronic Health Records Specialist

If you take the Medical Front Office & Electronic Health Records Specialist training, you’ll focus more on medical administration. In this program, you’ll learn everything in the first program plus topics like patient appointment scheduling, accounting, bookkeeping and information management. Training in Microsoft Office finishes the course.

You’ll take these five courses:

  • PS 1011: Professionalism in Allied Health

  • HI 1014: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

  • MS 1000: Microsoft Office Basics

  • HI 1011: Medical Office Procedures and Administration

  • HI 1018: Electronic Health Records

3. Electronic Health Records & Medical Reimbursement Specialist

The Electronic Health Records & Medical Reimbursement Specialist program could be ideal if you’re eager to learn the ins and outs of medical billing. This program moves beyond the first program, teaching you about medical coding and reimbursement and how to verify insurance and file claims. You’ll receive additional training in Microsoft Office basics.

You’ll take the following five courses:

  • PS 1011: Professionalism in Allied Health

  • HI 1014: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

  • HI 1015: Insurance and Billing, and Coding Essentials

  • MS 1000: Microsoft Office Basics

  • HI 1018: Electronic Health Records

Find Your Next Medical Records Career with MedCerts

The healthcare field is booming, and now could be the perfect time to step into the role of an Electronic Health Records Specialist. Whether working with patients or handling behind-the-scenes health data, you’ll be an essential part of the healthcare team.

Written by

Dana Janssen

Chief Product Officer

Dana has over twenty (20) years’ experience in Allied Healthcare and Education, and currently serves as the Chief Product Officer for MedCerts where he is responsible for product vision and strategy, research, and development.

Dana joined MedCerts upon its founding in 2009, and has led the research, development, and production of the entire catalog of programs that have helped MedCerts transform the distance learning landscape. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and innovative instructional design practices, Dana and his team have pioneered the development of the MedCerts 12 Elements of eLearning. Each MedCerts program contains a proprietary blend of these engaging, interactive, and entertaining elements that effectively accommodate learners of all types. Dana is deeply in-tune with the needs of today’s healthcare employers and is an expert in careers and certifications related to allied health.

Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (BS) degree from Valparaiso University, and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Davenport University. Dana is an avid sports fan and in his free time enjoys mountain biking, woodworking, knifemaking, and spending time with his family and pets.

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