In the Air Force:
Aerospace Medical Service; Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Allergy/Immunization Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman; Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician; Dental Assistant Craftsman; Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist; Health Services Management Apprentice; Health Services Management Journeyman
In the Army:
Chief Medical NCO; Combat Medic Specialist; Patient Administration; Patient Administration Specialist; Unit Supply Specialist
In the Coast Guard:
Health Services Technician; Medical Administration Specialty
In the Navy:
Aerospace Medical Technician; Hospital Corpsman; Hospital Corpsman Basic; Orthopedic Cast Room Technician; Orthopedic Technician; Patient Administrator; Reserve Medical Administration Technician (RMAT)
Every time nurses or physicians treat their patients, they need to record what they have seen and done; from x-rays and examination notes, to forming diagnoses and treatment plans. Medical records technicians organize and maintain these medical documents. These technicians do not provide patient care; instead, they work behind the scenes with care providers to fill in missing information, process forms, and ensure that insurance companies receive correct records. They use coding systems to document patient information for billing and recordkeeping, and are responsible for the privacy of patient files. These technicians work at a computer for prolonged periods. Whether they’re updating clinic records or tracking a patient's outcomes, accuracy is essential, so medical records technicians must pay strict attention to detail. Some work with data to analyze health care costs and identify health data trends. Most health information technicians work full-time. In health care facilities that are open 24/7, such as hospitals or nursing care facilities, technicians may need to work evening or overnight shifts. While it’s possible to enter the field with a high school diploma and work experience in a health care setting, most employers prefer to hire candidates who've earned a certificate in this field. Passing a certification exam is often required. Medical records technicians provide a service that is critical for quality patient care.
What they do:
Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.
On the job, you would:
Assign the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), using appropriate computer software.
Compile medical care and census data for statistical reports on diseases treated, surgery performed, or use of hospital beds.
Design databases to support healthcare applications, ensuring security, performance and reliability.
Knowledge information for this career will be available soon.
Skills information for this career will be available soon.
Abilities information for this career will be available soon.
Information for this career will be available soon.
You might use software like this on the job:
Medical software
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
Henry Schein Dentrix
Desktop communications software
Eko
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft SQL Server
Structured query language SQL
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
In the Army:
Chief Medical NCO; Combat Medic Specialist; Patient Administration; Patient Administration Specialist; Unit Supply Specialist
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