How do you become a medical records consultant?

1 Skills and qualifications

To become a medical records consultant, you need to have a solid knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and disease processes. You also need to be proficient in using different coding systems, such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, and understand the rules and regulations that govern medical records, such as HIPAA, HITECH, and MACRA. Additionally, you need to have strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. Depending on your target market and niche, you may also need to have specific certifications, such as RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC, or CIC.

4 Delivering quality work

To deliver quality work as a medical records consultant, you need to follow some best practices and standards. First, you need to understand your client's goals, expectations, and specifications, and communicate with them regularly and clearly. Second, you need to use reliable and secure tools and software to access, review, analyze, and report on medical records, such as EMR systems, coding software, or audit tools. Third, you need to adhere to the ethical and legal principles of medical records management, such as confidentiality, accuracy, integrity, and compliance. Fourth, you need to provide timely and accurate deliverables, such as reports, audits, recommendations, or training, and solicit feedback and suggestions for improvement.

5 Growing your business

To grow your business as a medical records consultant, you need to focus on building your reputation, expanding your skills, and increasing your visibility. You can build your reputation by delivering excellent work, exceeding your client's expectations, and asking for testimonials and referrals. You can expand your skills by pursuing continuing education, obtaining additional certifications, or learning new technologies or methodologies. You can increase your visibility by creating and sharing valuable content, such as articles, podcasts, or videos, on your website, social media, or other platforms, and by participating in industry forums, groups, or discussions.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?