What Is An HRRC?

A day in the life of a Healthcare Records Clerk (HRRC) involves a variety of tasks centered around managing patient records and ensuring their accessibility for healthcare providers. Here’s a detailed look at what an HRRC typically does in a day:

Morning Tasks

1. Reviewing Incoming Records:
   • Start the day by reviewing any new patient records received from the previous day or overnight. This could include admission records, discharge summaries, and test results.
2. Organizing and Filing:
   • Organize and file these records into the appropriate patient files, ensuring that all documents are accurately labeled and sorted.
3. Updating Electronic Health Records (EHR):
   • Enter any new information into the electronic health records system, ensuring data is up-to-date and accessible for healthcare providers.

Mid-Morning Tasks

4. Responding to Information Requests:
   • Respond to requests for patient information from doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. This could involve retrieving physical files or accessing digital records.
5. Ensuring Compliance:
   • Check that all records are in compliance with healthcare regulations and privacy laws, making sure patient information is kept confidential and secure.
6. Processing Admissions and Discharges:
   • Process new patient admissions and discharges, updating records accordingly and ensuring all necessary documentation is completed and filed.

Afternoon Tasks

7. Managing Record Requests:
   • Handle requests for records from external entities, such as insurance companies or other healthcare providers. This includes verifying authorization for record release and preparing copies of records.
8. Quality Control:
   • Conduct regular audits of patient records to ensure accuracy and completeness. Correct any discrepancies or errors found during these audits.
9. Assisting with Chart Preparation:
   • Prepare charts for upcoming patient appointments, ensuring that all relevant information is included and easily accessible for the healthcare provider.

End-of-Day Tasks

10. Back-Up and Security:
    • Back up digital records and ensure that all physical records are securely stored. This includes locking filing cabinets and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information.
11. Reviewing the Day’s Work:
    • Review the work completed during the day, making sure that all tasks have been finished and that the records are in proper order.
12. Planning for the Next Day:
    • Plan and prioritize tasks for the next day, including any pending requests or upcoming deadlines.

Ongoing Tasks

• Communication:
  • Maintain regular communication with healthcare providers to stay informed about any changes or updates needed in patient records.
• Training and Development:
  • Participate in ongoing training and professional development to stay current with the latest healthcare regulations, record-keeping technologies, and best practices.

Being a Healthcare Records Clerk requires a combination of meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient confidentiality and data security. By performing these daily tasks efficiently, HRRCs play a crucial role in supporting the overall functioning of healthcare facilities.

How Much Does An HRRC Make?

The salary of a Healthcare Records Clerk (HRRC) in Canada can vary based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, education, and the type of healthcare facility. Here is a general overview of the potential earnings for HRRCs in Canada:

Entry-Level HRRCs

• Annual Salary: CAD 30,000 to CAD 40,000
• Hourly Wage: CAD 15 to CAD 20

Entry-level HRRCs are typically new to the field and may have recently completed relevant training programs. Their responsibilities include basic tasks such as filing, data entry, and assisting more experienced clerks.

Mid-Level HRRCs

• Annual Salary: CAD 40,000 to CAD 50,000
• Hourly Wage: CAD 20 to CAD 25

Mid-level HRRCs usually have several years of experience. They handle more complex tasks, such as managing electronic health records (EHR), ensuring compliance with regulations, and responding to more advanced information requests.

Experienced HRRCs

• Annual Salary: CAD 50,000 to CAD 60,000
• Hourly Wage: CAD 25 to CAD 30

Experienced HRRCs often have extensive experience and may hold additional certifications. They are typically responsible for overseeing the records department, training new employees, and ensuring that all records management processes are efficient and compliant with legal standards.

Factors Affecting Salary

1. Location: Salaries tend to be higher in metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living, such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Rural areas may offer lower wages.
2. Type of Facility: HRRCs working in large hospitals or specialized medical centers may earn more than those in smaller clinics or private practices.
3. Education and Certifications: Additional education, such as an associate degree in health information technology, and certifications (e.g., Health Information Management Professional, or HIM) can lead to higher salaries and more advanced positions.
4. Experience: More experienced HRRCs with a proven track record of performance and expertise in health information management can command higher salaries.

Benefits

In addition to salary, HRRCs in Canada often receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Overall, while the salary of an HRRC in Canada may vary based on several factors, it offers a stable and rewarding career with opportunities for growth and advancement.

How Do I Become An HRRC?

A great place to start if you’re wanting to become an HRRC is to take a course on it! There are many different schools that offer courses related to becoming an HRRC. These courses will act as a starting point for your baseline knowledge in the medical field, teaching you medial terminology, computer systems, and healthcare ethics.

CanScribe College offers an HRRC course that will provide you with practical knowledge on all aspects of working as a healthcare records clerk. If you want to learn more about taking this, or any other course at CanScribe you can check it out here. Entering the medical field with no prior experience or knowledge can be a daunting and difficult task so taking a course to teach you the basics is a highly recommended practice for any aspiring HRRC.

 

Is Being An Healthcare Records Clerk For You?

Being a Health Records and Registration Clerk (HRRC) can be a fulfilling and captivating career for someone with a passion for the healthcare field. As an HRRC, you get to see all the behind-the-scenes processes that most people never even think about during a typical visit to the doctor’s office. The records clerk plays a vital role in any work environment, and healthcare is no different. By ensuring that patient records are accurately maintained and readily available, you contribute to the smooth operation of the healthcare system. This role allows you to be immersed in the medical field, making a tangible difference in patient care and administrative efficiency.

For those who have a passion for healthcare but want to avoid the hefty student loans or the extensive training required to become a doctor, becoming an HRRC could be the perfect alternative. This career offers the opportunity to work side by side with a variety of other professionals in the healthcare field, from doctors and nurses to administrative staff and technicians. Despite not being directly involved in patient care, the work of an HRRC is crucial, ensuring that medical professionals have the information they need to provide the best possible care.

Moreover, the position of an HRRC comes with its own unique challenges and skill sets. It requires meticulous attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and a thorough understanding of medical terminology and healthcare regulations. As an HRRC, you will be responsible for managing and safeguarding sensitive patient information, coordinating with different departments, and often dealing with the latest healthcare technology and electronic health records systems. This role not only demands precision and reliability but also offers a sense of accomplishment as you become an integral part of the healthcare delivery process.

In addition to the professional satisfaction, a career as an HRRC provides a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. You will constantly be learning and adapting to new procedures, regulations, and technologies. This continual learning process can be both challenging and rewarding, ensuring that your career remains engaging and intellectually stimulating.

In summary, if you have a passion for healthcare and a desire to contribute to the medical field without the lengthy and costly path to becoming a doctor, a career as a Health Records and Registration Clerk could be the ideal choice. It offers a unique blend of administrative and technical responsibilities, allowing you to work closely with healthcare professionals and make a significant impact on the efficiency and quality of patient care. This role provides a perfect balance of challenge and reward, making it a highly satisfying career option for those dedicated to supporting the healthcare system.