Medical Records Specialists

Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.

$50,250

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+7% projected 2024–2034

Postsecondary nondegree award

Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Medical records specialists manage and organize patient health information in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They review medical charts to ensure all necessary documentation is complete and accurate, including physician notes, test results, and treatment records. A significant part of their work involves translating diagnoses, procedures, and medical services into standardized codes used for billing and insurance purposes. They carefully verify that these codes match the documentation in patient files and follow strict regulations to protect patient privacy.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Dartmouth College, NH

Health and Medical Administrative Services(grad-cert)Duke University, NC

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Loyola University Chicago, IL

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)University of Miami, FL

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)Central Michigan University, MI

Health and Medical Administrative Services(certificate)Saint Joseph's College of Maine, ME

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)New England College, NH

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)University of California-San Francisco, CA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, NY

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Vanderbilt University, TN

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Boston University, MA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)University of Providence, MT

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Norwich University, VT

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Franklin Pierce University, NH

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online, NH

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Plymouth State University, NH

Health and Medical Administrative Services(masters)Simmons University, MA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)Medical University of South Carolina, SC

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)Johns Hopkins University, MD

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)Eastern Virginia Medical School, VA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)George Washington University, DC

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)Northcentral University, CA

Health and Medical Administrative Services(doctoral)College of Saint Mary, NE

Related Careers

Other occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical