A records clerk is responsible for organizing, filing, and retrieving information related to a company’s records and accounts in an accurate and timely manner. He or she is responsible for keeping records up to date and making any necessary changes or additions in a timely manner. Many modern offices only keep electronic records, necessitating the knowledge of word processing software, spreadsheet applications, and data entry methods a records clerk. Medical offices and hospitals, government agencies, and businesses of all types employ the majority of records clerks.
The accurate management of an organization’s records is critical to the organization’s success. A records clerk organizes data, paper documents, and receipts into a logical filing system. He or she may be required to convert documents to electronic formats and create appropriate storage files so that data can be accessed quickly and modified as needed. Answering phones, assisting patients or customers, and distributing mail are all common administrative tasks performed records clerks.
Hospitals, state and county offices, and large businesses are just a few of the places where records clerks work. Medical records clerks are critical for keeping track of patient information, such as medical charts and billing information. They become medical billing and coding specialists as they gain experience, working closely with doctors to code diagnoses and collect payments from insurance companies.
Public records and court documents are kept track of professionals in government offices. Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce notices, among other important legal documents, may be filed and retrieved state and county records clerks. Customers’ accounts are frequently maintained, bills and receipts are tracked, and employee files are updated those who work for private corporations.
In most cases, a person must have at least a high school diploma or a GED to work as a records clerk. Many employers, particularly those in government offices, prefer to hire clerks with business management or accounting experience from college. New clerks typically receive informal on-the-job training from experienced clerks or other office staff members who are familiar with the job’s requirements. People frequently choose to work as records clerks in order to gain office experience and prepare for higher-level positions within a company.
Although many organizations are realizing the benefits of keeping records on computers, some offices still keep physical records in the form of paper documents and receipts. Skilled records clerks are in high demand to transfer data into new electronic systems with care. New employees must demonstrate strong computer skills as well as the ability to pay attention to detail.