There are a number of online degree programs
that offer training for a medical records clerk. An associate degree in
heath care management offers the necessary training for a career in
health information technology. Bachelor's and master's degree programs
can prepare students for higher-level careers in the health care
management industry.
How to Select an Online Program for a Medical Records Clerk
Award Levels
Students should select a degree program level based on their career
goals. Medical records clerks, or health information technicians as they
are sometimes called, obtain, organize, compile and make health care
records easily accessible to medical personnel. Entry-level candidates
usually hold an associate's degree in health care information. However,
many employers prefer to hire technicians who are registered by the by
the American Health Information Management Association, which requires a
bachelor's degree. Medical clerks looking to advance to a managerial
position in the future should also consider a master's degree in
health care management.
Program Type
The most common online program is the full online immersion program,
which allows students to complete their degree online without any
on-campus participation. Students participate in class discussions
through virtual classroom platforms, download video lectures, complete
online tests and submit homework assignments though the Internet. Those
whose schedules require flexible class attendance options may wish to
pursue fully online programs. Students whose learning styles benefit
from some degree of face-to-face interaction may prefer to seek out
hybrid programs that include some campus attendance.
An associate's degree program in health information management
prepares students for entry-level positions as medical records clerks.
The 2-year curriculum focuses on helping students abstract, analyze and
categorize medical data and to become familiar with current laws,
accreditation, licensure and certification standards related to health
care information. Core curriculum requirements include liberal arts and
science courses such as biology, communication and mathematics. Health
information courses emphasize medical terminology, diagnosis and
procedure coding, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and
pharmacology. Students may also apply for a health information
internship while in the program and transfer the credit towards the
degree.
Online Bachelor of Science in Heath Care Management
Unlike in the associate's program, much of the attention of the
bachelor's degree program focuses on managerial issues, such as
understanding how political health care initiatives affect the health
care system and the clinical classification system at large. The 4-year
curriculum includes a core of liberal arts courses and basic health care
coding courses but will also include many management courses.
Accounting, introduction to management, health care finance, advanced
health care information systems, epidemiology and applied health care
statistics are just a few popular degree courses. After successful
completion of the online program students are eligible to take the
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam
and qualify for state certification.
Online Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management
A master's program in
health care administration
management emphasizes the administrative, financial, legal and
managerial standards within the health care industry to prepare students
for a role in medical clerk management. During the program's 2-year
curriculum, students are introduced to topics in human resource
management, finance, accounting, health care public policy, statistics
and marketing. Students in the program watch video lectures, read online
class material, participate in discussions and complete online tests.
To demonstrate competency in the field, students are required to
complete a final project on a topic applicable to the field and pass a
final examination.
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