Currently, more people in the United States work in health care than in any other field.
If you’re looking for a stable career with a great salary and lots of opportunities for growth, you definitely ought to consider a health care career.
Not psyched about working one-on-one with patients and exposing yourself to blood, germs, and bodily fluids on a regular basis? That’s okay! You can still have a medical career without any of these things.
If you want to work in the medical field but aren’t interested in hands-on patient-focused jobs, you might want to look into a job as a medical records analyst.
Read on to learn more about this career and why you might want to become a medical records analyst.
What is a Medical Records Analyst?
A medical records analyst is someone who handles medical records and interprets the data found in them. Analysts must extract data from medical records to create reports and statistical models.
Analysts look at a variety of information, including patient outcomes, the accuracy of the records, and patient timeliness.
These reports and models help hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other organization run more efficiently and ensure they are providing patients with the best possible care.
Analysts also check to make sure medical records are filled out properly and align with previously established guidelines. They are responsible, too, for keeping patient information confidential.
Average Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a medical records analyst is $42,820 per year. Many people who work in this field and earn this salary work in a hospital setting or a private doctor’s office.
There is expected to be an increased demand for medical records analysts and other health information technicians over the next few years. In fact, the field is expected to grow by 15 percent.
This growth and increased demand will also likely lead to an increase in average salary.
Reasons to Become a Medical Records Analyst
There are many reasons why a career as a medical records analyst is one to consider. Some of the greatest benefits associated with this job include:
- High level of job security, especially as the field continues to grow and demand increases
- Work in the medical field without having to deal with patients or handle specific medical problems
- Work a more consistent, traditional schedule — most medical records analysts do not have to work nights or weekends as nurses and doctors do
- Enjoy a lower stress job — there aren’t a lot of medical records-related emergencies that you’ll have to address on a regular basis
There are also lots of opportunities for advancement. Over time, you can transition from working as an analyst to working as a health services manager or administrator.
How to Become a Medical Records Analyst
Okay, you’re starting to get interested in working as a medical records analyst. How do you become one, though?
In order to become a medical records analyst, you’ll need to attain the proper schooling.
First and foremost, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED. Next, you’ll need an additional certificate or associate’s degree, such as the ones offered by Ultimate Medical Academy.
In order to work as a medical records analyst, you’ll likely need to take classes in the following subjects:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Classification and coding
- Healthcare reimbursement methods
- Health data requirements and standards
- Computer systems
- Healthcare statistics
You may also want to look into earning additional certifications, such as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification, Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP), or a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) certification.
Having additional certifications can make you more competitive and increase your chances of getting hired.
If you’re currently a high school student interested in a medical records analysis career, you can begin preparing by taking courses in health, biology, math, statistics, and computer science.
Traits of a Good Medical Records Analyst
In order to be a successful medical records analyst, you’ll need to work on developing or refining the following traits:
Analytical Skills
If you’re going to work as an analyst, you need to have the ability to understand and interpret information found in medical records. Good analytical skills and decision-making skills are key to working as a medical records analyst.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail matters, too. You need to be able to pick up on key pieces of information in a document and record that information in an accurate way.
Integrity
As a medical records analyst, you will be held to a strict code of conduct. By law, you must keep patient information confidential and use caution to make sure nothing personal about a patient gets into the wrong hands.
Interpersonal Skills
A lot of the work you do as a medical records analyst will be done independently. From time to time, though, you’ll need to be ablet o discuss information with your colleagues in a professional manner, without revealing any personal, confidential information about the patient.
Technical Skills
You must feel confident using coding and classification software, as well as different types of electronic health record systems. Technical proficiency and an ability to adapt are crucial if you’re going to work in this field.
Time Management Skills
Finally, you’ll need to have good time management and organization skills. You’ll have to be able to meet deadlines with ease and get through documents in a timely manner to ensure everything is processed on time.
Looking for More Career Tips?
As you can see, there are many reasons why working as a medical records analyst could be a great option for you.
You’ll get to enjoy the great salary, job growth opportunities, and other perks of working in the medical field, but you won’t have to deal with any blood or bodily fluids — it’s a win-win!
Do you want to learn more about other careers in the medical field? Or, are you just looking for more general career advice?
Either way, we’ve got you covered with lots of articles on choosing a career that matches your personality and specific interests.
For example, if you’re someone who loves writing, check out this article on careers geared toward people like you!