Medical Records Specialist
Medical Office Administration
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of health information administrators and other professionals, to construct medical records and clinical databases, perform manipulations on retrieved data, control the security and quality of records, and supervise data entry and technical maintenance personnel.
What Medical Records Specialists Do
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of health information administrators and other professionals, to construct medical records and clinical databases, perform manipulations on retrieved data, control the security and quality of records, and supervise data entry and technical maintenance personnel.
What You'll Learn
Types of Medical Records Specialists
Work Environment
Locations
- • Hospitals
- • Physician offices and clinics
- • Health insurance companies
- • Outpatient surgery centers
- • Remote/work-from-home (coding and records)
Schedule
Most work full time during regular business hours, though hospitals and large systems may offer evening, weekend, or flexible shifts and remote schedules.
Physical Demands
Work is primarily sedentary at a computer with long periods of sitting and repetitive keyboarding. The main physical demands are eye strain management and ergonomic posture rather than heavy lifting.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 236,700 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
As healthcare use increases with an aging population, more patient visits and procedures create more records to code, audit, and maintain. Ongoing shifts to electronic health records, data reporting, and compliance requirements can also increase demand for skilled records and coding staff.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong demand across many healthcare settings
- • Opportunities for remote or hybrid work
- • Clear advancement paths into auditing, compliance, or informatics
- • Work is less physically demanding than many healthcare roles
- • Skills transfer well between employers and specialties
Cons
- • High accuracy expectations and frequent audits
- • Can be repetitive and screen-intensive
- • Must keep up with changing coding rules and regulations
- • Productivity quotas and deadlines can be stressful
- • Errors can have financial and legal consequences
Common Questions About the Medical Records Specialist Trade
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