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Medical Records Specialist Resume Examples & Templates

Ready to boost your career? Our medical records specialist resume examples showcase how to emphasize attention to detail and organization skills that captivate employers and secure interviews.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: December 3, 2025

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Hiro Lee

Eastside, WA 98003
(555)555-5555
Hiro.Lee@example.com

Professional Summary

Dedicated Medical Records Specialist with 6 years of experience in health information management, expertly managing patient records and ensuring HIPAA compliance. Proven track record of increasing record retrieval speed by 25% and maintaining a 99% compliance rate, leveraging skills in electronic health records, medical coding, and process improvement.

Work History

Medical Records Specialist
Riverside Medical Group - Eastside, WA
June 2023 - November 2025

  • Managed 1,000+ patient records monthly
  • Increased record retrieval speed by 25%
  • Ensured 99% compliance with HIPAA

Health Information Technician
Sunnyvale Health Center - Spokane, WA
January 2021 - May 2023

  • Maintained electronic health records for 500+ clients
  • Reduced data entry errors by 20% via audits
  • Streamlined coding processes boosting efficiency

Medical Records Clerk
Greenfield Hospital - Seattle, WA
January 2019 - December 2020

  • Archived physical records for 200+ patients daily
  • Enhanced filing systems improving access time by 30%
  • Assisted in maintaining a 100% HIPAA compliance rate

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • Mandarin - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)

Skills

  • Electronic Health Records
  • Medical Coding
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Data Entry
  • Record Management
  • Information Retrieval
  • Auditing Procedures
  • Process Improvement

Certifications

  • Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) - American Health Information Management Association
  • Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) - National Healthcareer Association

Education

Master of Health Informatics Health Informatics
California State University Los Angeles, CA
June 2018

Bachelor of Science Health Information Management
University of California Santa Barbara, CA
June 2016

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How to Write a Medical Records Specialist Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers will notice, making it important to create a strong impact. As a medical records specialist, you should emphasize your attention to detail and skill in managing patient information.

This profession requires showcasing skills in data entry, confidentiality, and familiarity with health information systems. Highlighting these qualifications can set you apart from other job seekers.

To clarify what works well in this section, compare the following summary examples. They will guide you in crafting an effective introduction that captures attention:

Weak resume summary

I am a dedicated medical records specialist with years of experience in the healthcare field. I hope to find a position that allows me to use my skills and contribute positively to the team. A company with great benefits and career advancement opportunities would be perfect for me. I believe I can make a strong impact if given the chance.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about relevant skills and achievements, making it generic
  • Overly focused on personal desires rather than what value can be provided to an employer
  • Uses weak phrases like "I hope" which undermines confidence and does not assert professional capability

Strong resume summary

Experienced medical records specialist with over 7 years in healthcare administration, proficient in managing patient documentation and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Successfully implemented a digital filing system that improved record retrieval efficiency by 30%. Adept at using Electronic Health Records (EHR) software and collaborating with cross-functional teams to streamline workflow processes.

Why this summary works:
  • Begins with clear years of experience and specific expertise in healthcare administration
  • Features a quantifiable achievement of improving record retrieval efficiency by 30%, showcasing impact
  • Highlights relevant technical skills like EHR skill important for the role
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PRO TIP

If you’re new to the field or lack extensive experience, consider using a career objective. This approach helps you focus on your enthusiasm and goals rather than relying solely on a summary. Explore resume objective examples specifically designed for medical records specialists to begin crafting yours.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your resume as a medical records specialist because it contains the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always incorporate this key section to highlight your relevant experience.

This part should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing your past positions. Use bullet points to clearly outline your achievements and responsibilities in each role held.

To further guide you, we have prepared a couple of examples that illustrate effective ways to present your work history. These examples will help you identify what works well and what pitfalls to avoid.

Weak work experience

Medical Records Specialist

HealthOne Medical Center – Denver, CO

  • Managed patient records
  • Updated information in the system
  • Communicated with healthcare staff
  • Assisted with filing and organization
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific employment dates for context
  • Bullet points are vague and do not highlight key skills or accomplishments
  • Emphasizes routine tasks rather than measurable achievements or contributions
Strong work experience

Medical Records Specialist

HealthFirst Medical Center – Los Angeles, CA

March 2020 - Current

  • Manage and maintain patient records for over 5,000 individuals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with HIPAA regulations
  • Streamline data entry processes, reducing record retrieval time by 30%, improving overall department efficiency
  • Train new staff on electronic health record systems, improving onboarding speed and competency by 40%
Why this work experience section works:
  • Uses strong action verbs to clearly show the job seeker's contributions and achievements
  • Incorporates specific metrics that highlight improvements in efficiency and effectiveness
  • Demonstrates relevant skills in data management and training that are important for the role

While your resume summary and work experience sections are important, don’t overlook the importance of other parts that can improve your application. For detailed guidance on perfecting every section of your resume, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A skills section is important for your resume as it allows employers to quickly assess your qualifications. This targeted summary highlights your strengths and sets you apart from other job seekers in the medical records field.

Employers value candidates who bring both solid technical skills and strong interpersonal abilities. Showcasing a balance of hard and soft skills on your resume highlights your capacity to deliver results and work effectively with others.

Hard skills include skill in medical coding, data management, and electronic health record systems that are essential for maintaining accurate patient information.

Soft skills encompass attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication which are important for ensuring seamless collaboration with healthcare teams and safeguarding patient confidentiality.

Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with employer expectations and ensuring that your application passes through automated screening systems. Many companies rely on software to filter out job seekers who lack essential skills for the position.

To improve your chances, take time to review job postings for insights into which skills are most valued. This will help you tailor your resume to highlight relevant abilities, making it more appealing to both recruiters and ATS systems.

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PRO TIP

To ensure your resume stands out, use our ATS Resume Checker. This tool uncovers over 30 common mistakes, helping your application sail through applicant tracking software and land in the right hands.

10 skills that appear on successful medical records specialist resumes

Improve your resume to attract recruiters by highlighting critical skills sought after in medical records specialist roles. Explore the resume examples to see these essential skills showcased, allowing you to approach job applications with the assurance a well-crafted resume provides.

Here are 10 skills you should consider including in your resume if they align with your background and job specifications:

  • 1

    Attention to detail

  • 2

    Data entry skill

  • 3

    Knowledge of HIPAA regulations

  • 4

    Organizational abilities

  • 5

    Analytical thinking

  • 6

    Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR)

  • 7

    Communication skills

  • 8

    Time management

  • 9

    Problem-solving capabilities

  • 10

    Familiarity with medical terminology

Based on analysis of 5,000+ medical professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Choosing the right resume format is important for a medical records specialist, as it effectively showcases essential skills, relevant experience, and career advancement to potential employers.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with limited experience in healthcare

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals focused on demonstrating their skills and growth potential

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Experienced leaders in health information management and data integrity

Medical Records Specialist Salaries in the Highest-Paid States

Our medical records specialist salary data is based on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the authoritative source for employment trends and wage information nationwide.

Whether you're entering the workforce or considering a move to a new city or state, this data can help you gauge what fair compensation looks like for medical records specialists in your desired area.

District of Columbia
$76,990
Washington
$68,020
California
$68,080
New York
$64,550
Maryland
$64,380
Hawaii
$64,690
Nevada
$63,950
Connecticut
$61,230
Massachusetts
$60,460
Minnesota
$60,240
Alaska
$60,600
Rhode Island
$60,830
$0$40K$80K

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by showcasing your enthusiasm and detailing your relevant skills. It offers you a chance to connect personally with potential employers. If you need assistance, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter or use our easy-to-use Cover Letter Generator for quick support.

When applying for jobs outside the U.S., use a CV instead of a resume, as many countries prefer this format. To assist you, we offer various CV examples and guides that outline how to write a CV, ensuring your application meets international standards.

Soft skills like attention to detail, communication, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving are essential for medical records specialists. These abilities foster effective collaboration with healthcare providers and ensure accurate patient information management, ultimately contributing to better care coordination and efficiency within the healthcare system.

When applying for medical records specialist positions, highlight transferable skills such as attention to detail, organization, and communication. These abilities are valuable even if your background isn’t in healthcare. Use specific examples from past roles to illustrate how you managed data or improved processes, and tie those achievements to the responsibilities of maintaining accurate patient records.

If you're seeking a medical records specialist position but lack direct experience, consider focusing on your organizational skills, attention to detail, and any relevant coursework or certifications. Highlight internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects that demonstrate your ability to manage data accurately. Remember that employers value potential and enthusiasm as much as experience. For more tips, check out this resume with no experience guide.

To add your resume to LinkedIn and increase its visibility, upload it directly to your profile and highlight key skills in the "About" and "Experience" sections. This approach helps healthcare recruiters easily find qualified medical records specialists, improving your chances of being noticed for relevant opportunities.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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