Mrs. V. Kirkley, RN, MEd.

 Medical Records Technicians work in all types of medical facilities from local hospitals, physicians offices, clinics and long term care facilities.  Their job is to collect, code and maintain the medical information of patients. Including confidential information such as a patients test results, health history, diagnosis, treatment plan, and insurance information.

 The Best Part of the Job:  Working in a hospital which is open all hours, so you can work 8,10, or 12 hour days & 3, 4 or 5 days a week.  The Worst Part of the Job:  Eye strain and muscle pain from sitting at the computer for long periods of time.  Reading Dr’s Handwriting  Trying to track down a busy Dr.  Imperative understanding & precise documentation of procedures done.

 Must be able to use computers and special software programs that assign patients to different diagnostic related groups (DRG’s)  Must know Medical Terminology and Medical Abbreviations  Understand diseases  Have an Eye for details  Usually a 2 year accredited program at a community college earning an associates degree.  Upon graduation from above program take and pass state written exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

 Ability to Multi-Task  Good Vision  Good Computer Skills  Alert  Detailed Oriented  Good Interpersonal Skills  Excellent Organizational Skills  Ability to screen, evaluate medical records, and identify problems.  Interest in Procedural Details

 Medical Records Tech or Medical Coders  Faster than average growth  Salary Range – $22,000 - $52,000  Health Informatics Career Pathway  Completer can finish 3 courses in this area while in high school.

Health Information Administrator works mainly in a hospital or large physicians groups or clinics. Their job is to develop and manage systems for obtaining, storing and maintaining patient records. They also prepare information for legal actions and insurance claims. They’re ultimately responsible for the management and supervision of patient confidential data, the medical records staff, and the overall operations of the Medical Records Department. Because computer operations are essential in maintaining medical records the Health Information Administrator must be extremely knowledgeable of a variety of computer programs.

 The Best Part of the Job:  Working in a hospital with all departments, physicians, insurance companies, government agencies & various organizations to prepare patient information for legal actions, insurance claims/compile statistics.  Supervision & Training of Personnel.  The Worst Part of the Job:  Long hours at the computer  Reading Dr’s Handwriting  Court Appearances to present patient records & representing the medical records department.

 It is essential that the medical records administrator be knowledgeable of the operation of a variety of computer programs.  Organizational Skills  Supervision & Training Skills  Usually requires a Bachelors or Masters Degree.  Registration from the American Health Information Mgmt Association.  Health Information Administrators who become registered use the initials RA.

 Faster than average growth  Salary Range – $41,000 - $89,000  This is a career in the Health Informatics Career Pathway  Recommended- 3 courses in this area while in high school  Earn a Bachelor’s or Masters Degree  Test and become a Registered Health Information Administrator

Medical Illustrators work using their artistic abilities & talents to produce illustrations, graphs, charts, and diagrams for medical textbooks, magazines and journals. Medical photographer is a closely related career. They take photographs or video tapes of surgical procedures for health education information, documentation of conditions before and after surgery or legal documentation of injuries received in an accident.

 A Medical Illustrator usually obtain a Bachelors or Masters Degree  Have excellent artistic abilities  May be certified through the Association of Medical Illustrators  May branch into the Medical Photography field which is closely related.

 Average Growth  Salary Range $44,000 -$133,000

 Health Unit Coordinator/Ward Clerk/ Unit Secretary/ Medical Records Clerk work in all types of medical facilities from local hospitals, physicians offices, clinics to long term care facilities.  Their job is to record information on patient records, schedule procedures or test, answer the phone, make appointments and order supplies. They must also work with computers to record and obtain patient information.

 One or more years of a Career or Technical College Program  Some have on-the- job training  Need excellent communications Skills both written and verbal  Organizational Skills a plus  Must be able to Multi-Task

 Average Growth  Salary Range $14,000 – $34,000