Health records clerk

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

Courses include:

• business administration
• International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Certificate in IT User Skills (previously ECDL)
• T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a GP practice, hospital or commercial healthcare company. Options include:

• Retail Service, Supply and Administration Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Clinical Coder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• search for apprenticeships on NHS Jobs|https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers may ask for GCSEs, such as English and maths, at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

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

Customer service skills can also be helpful.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can find professional development and training opportunities if you join an organisation like the:

• Institute of Health Records and Information Management
• British Society of Medical Secretaries and Administrators (BSMSA)
• Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR)

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a health records clerk from Health Careers.

As a health records clerk, you could:

• create, check and update patient records
• file test results and letters
• prepare patient notes for medical staff and appointments
• record patient admissions, transfers, discharges and deaths
• transfer details from paper records into a digital document system
• translate patient information into clinical codes for administrative purposes
• collect statistics like admission numbers, discharges and waiting lists
• respond to enquiries over the phone and online

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