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Health records clerk

Alternative titles for this job include Medical records clerk

Health records clerks keep medical records up to date.

Average salary (a year)

£18,546 Starter

to

£24,882 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Health records clerk

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

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

Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Business Administration
  • Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
  • T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a business administrator or a clinical coder advanced apprenticeship.

This will usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete. You'll learn in the workplace and do off-the-job training with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs in this area. Many employers will ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

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

More Information

Career tips

You can develop your IT and administration skills by doing a free online course through The Skills Toolkit.

Professional and industry bodies

You may get professional recognition or find training opportunities if you join an organisations such as the:

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a health records clerk from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • administration skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • create, check and update patient records
  • store test results and letters
  • record illnesses and treatments using a system of codes known as clinical coding
  • record patient admissions, transfers, discharges and deaths
  • transfer details from paper records into computer systems
  • collect statistics like admission numbers, discharges and waiting lists

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You can study with the Institute of Health Record Information and Management (IHRIM) for a more senior role or to specialise in areas such as clinical coding.

With qualifications and experience you could become a medical secretary or a health records manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administration Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: HA8 6LE

APPRENTICE ADMINISTRATOR

  • Wage: £13,000 a year Annually
  • Location: NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD, LONDON

Courses In England

Business Administration BTEC Diploma

  • Provider: SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Solihull

BTEC Diploma in Business Administration

  • Provider: NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: DAVENTRY

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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