A data technician is someone who is in charge of entering data. This type of work is quite varied, but it usually necessitates at least a high school diploma, as well as computer skills such as experience with various operating systems, a fast typing rate, and excellent typing accuracy scores. Companies that require data entry, agencies that hire data entry professionals on a project basis, and the government are all potential employers.
Data technicians must receive data in a variety of formats, organize it, and input it into a computer system. As with medical data entry, where data must be coded in accordance with an existing system, there are sometimes standardized systems for organizing the data. In other cases, the data technician will need to devise a method of data organization. This method must allow the technician to quickly retrieve and reference data, and it must also allow other people to easily access, modify, and enter the information.
Patience and excellent typing skills are required for data entry. A single blunder on an entry can make it impossible to locate later and cause system snarls. Data technicians must be aware of problems such as double entries, misleading entries, poor data organization, and system glitches that could signal a problem such as a computer virus or unstable software. The data technician may also check the data as it is entered to flag any entries that are questionable, incomplete, or confusing for further review.
Some jobs, especially those involving government materials, may require a data technician to have security clearance. Other data technicians must adhere to privacy standards because they may handle sensitive information such as unique identifying information about individuals that, if released, could be dangerous, such as health care records. Privacy and security issues may be discussed in data technician training programs to provide students with a thorough understanding of these topics so they can assure their employers of their confidentiality and attention to detail when it comes to data security.
Depending on the type of data, data entry work can be done in an agency facility, an office, or even at home. Freelance data technicians may be able to find a variety of work they can do from home for various pay rates, and some agencies specialize in matching people with at-home jobs. Data technicians must work ergonomically and remember to stretch and rest their eyes because this job has an occupational hazard in the form of repetitive stress injuries and eye strain.