Health records clerk

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job.

Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Business Administration
• Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
• T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a business administrator or a clinical coder advanced apprenticeship.

This will usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete. You'll learn in the workplace and do off-the-job training with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs in this area. Many employers will ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

It will also help if you have previous experience of office work, including typing documents and working on spreadsheets.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• active listening skills
• excellent written communication skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• business management skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Health records clerks keep medical records up to date.

In this role you could:

• create, check and update patient records
• store test results and letters
• record illnesses and treatments using a system of codes known as clinical coding
• record patient admissions, transfers, discharges and deaths
• transfer details from paper records into computer systems
• collect statistics like admission numbers, discharges and waiting lists

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in an office or at a GP practice.

Salary:

Starter : £18,546
Experienced : £24,882

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings on a rota

Career Path:

You can study with the Institute of Health Record Information and Management (IHRIM) for a more senior role or to specialise in areas such as clinical coding.

With qualifications and experience you could become a medical secretary or a health records manager.