When you think about how complicated modern medicine can be, you will understand what the job of a Medical Records Technician entails. Someone has to keep track of all of the patient's records - the tests they have had, the medications they are taking, the diagnoses, and treatment plans. A technician collects all of the information from the relevant health professionals and departments, compiling a comprehensive report. In addition to collecting paperwork, the technician usually enters patient information into a computer database. Medical records technicians are also responsible for "coding" the files - assigning codes to each treatment, drug, and disease identified in the record. These codes are integral to the insurance billing process, and ensure that insurance companies (or Medicare or Medicaid) pay the appropriate amount. The normal training for a career as a medical records technician is a junior college or Associate's degree. This normally takes two years and can be done full or part time. According to the Bureau of Labor Studies there is an increasing need for people to do this job, so employment prospects are good. About 40% of medical records technicians work in hospitals (on day, evening, or night shifts), and the rest are usually in physician's offices where they work a normal 40-hour week. Contact with patients is minimal - the medical records technician communicates primarily with other office staff and healthcare professionals.