Medical records clerks are responsible for keeping patients health records safe. They collect and organise records, ensuring that they are readily available to the health care staff who need them.

No formal entry requirements are required to work in medical records clerk jobs, but employers tend to seek candidates with evidence of basic numeracy and literacy skills, possibly gained through GCSEs. Work experience in administration or record keeping roles and NVQs in Business and Administration or BTEC Certificates or Diplomas in Business may be advantageous.

All medical records clerks receive in-house training once they have been offered employment. Employers may also offer staff the chance to work towards qualifications from The Institute of Health Record and Information Management.

Medical records clerks require outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. They should be organised, honest, motivated and able to work in teams. An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and good computer skills are essential.

The NHS is the UK's largest employer of medical records clerks. However, employment opportunities are also available through private hospitals and clinics and voluntary organisations. Jobs may be advertised through recruitment agencies.

The starting salary for a medical records clerk is around £13,000 a year. With experience, a medical records clerk may earn around £16,000 a year. It is possible for experienced medical records clerks to take on senior clerk or team leader roles, which pay between £18,000 and £21,000 a year.