Becoming a Medical Records Administrator in Dubai: Education, skills and career guide

A medical record administrator maintains the client's health records in physical and electronic form. They are accountable for keeping these medical records up-to-date and easy to access by nurses and doctors. Medical records administrators are essential to hospitals and clinics' smooth operation.

What does a medical records administrator do?

Medical records specialists ensure accurate, secure and updated medical records. These records include patient histories, diagnostic test results, treatment plans and insurance details. Medical records administrator performs the following tasks:

• Collect, organise and update patient records
• Make sure all information is correct and confidential
• Assign standard medical codes to diagnoses and procedures
• Use electronic health records (EHR) systems to store data
• Work with healthcare providers to find patient files quickly
• Follow rules and laws about patient privacy

To make a career in healthcare administration, students should acquire specialised knowledge, technical abilities and hands-on practical experience. This foundation is important to become a successful medical records administrator. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Get relevant degree or diploma:

A high school diploma is the minimum qualification for entry-level positions. Earning a bachelor’s degree or diploma in healthcare management, medical records technology, or a related field can open doors to a career. Consider enrolling in accredited programmes that cover medical terminology, healthcare regulations and information systems. Popular programmes include:

Step 2: Obtain professional certification:

Earning additional credentials can boost your professional credibility and increase your job prospects. There are various certifications available to enhance your career in medical records administration. Key certifications include:

• Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)
• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
• Electronic Health Records certification (EHRC)
• Certificate in Medical Records Management
• Certificate in Hospital Documentation and Records Management
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

These are some of the certifications you can obtain while studying healthcare management. With these certifications, you may gain practical skills as well as enhance your professional journey.

Step 3: Gain technical skills:

Learning and studying healthcare management software and Electronic Health Record (EHR) are essential tools in modern medical records management. Developing computer literacy and data entry skills to manage large volumes of patient information is highly beneficial for career growth. Along with your certification programme, you should focus on specialising in these fields for long-term progress.

Step 4: Build relevant experience:

You can gain practical experience managing medical records and understanding healthcare workflows by seeking internships or volunteering in hospitals and healthcare organisations. Entry-level roles such as health information technician or medical records specialist can provide valuable exposure to the field.

Step 5: Develop key skills:

The practice of effective communication and organisational skills will improve your ability to coordinate with healthcare professionals and manage sensitive information. This may help you to review and maintain the accuracy of records as well as manage your time effectively to meet deadlines. By becoming familiar with healthcare laws and patient privacy regulations, you will also be able to ensure compliance in your daily work.

Step 6: Continue professional development:

Learning continuously helps you advance in your career, ensures you have the latest skills and knowledge, and ensures you practice safely and legally. It is highly beneficial to stay up to date with the latest trends in healthcare administration, technology and regulations. This can only be achieved by attending workshops, seminars and pursuing higher education. Studying healthcare management with GBS Dubai opens doors to various industry events and workshops. These events can be extremely helpful for networking and industry knowledge.

Following the above steps, you can build a solid foundation for a career as a healthcare administration in Dubai. This role places you in managing day-to-day operations of healthcare organisations. Therefore, ensuring the secure management of patient information.

Medical Records Administrators are in demand in Dubai and around the world. As more hospitals and clinics use digital records, there is a need for skilled people who can manage this information safely. With the right skills, you can find good job opportunities in both public and private healthcare facilities.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), employment opportunities for medical records specialists are expected to grow by 9% from 2023 to 2033. Medical records specialists may have about 15,000 new job openings each year. This represents a strong job outlook meaning that healthcare administrators will have plenty of work prospects to pursue.

In addition, healthcare administrations can advance their careers by becoming health information technologists, medical registrars or medical and health services managers. This career advancement is possible if you attain additional advanced certification programmes.

Medical records administrator should possess more than just technical know-how to succeed. The position requires a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. Listed below are some of the most important ones:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong computer and typing skills
• Good communication and teamwork abilities
• Understanding of medical terms and healthcare systems
• Respect for patient privacy and confidentiality

You can find Medical Records Administrator jobs in Dubai through popular job portals like Indeed, GulfTalent and Bayt, which regularly list openings in hospitals, clinics and healthcare groups. Leading employers such as Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital and Fakeeh University Hospital often post vacancies on their official career pages. Additionally, networking on LinkedIn and registering with recruitment agencies that specialise in healthcare roles can help you access more opportunities and land interviews faster.

Becoming a medical records administrator in Dubai is a smart choice if you want a stable and rewarding healthcare career. With the right education, skills and attitude, you can help hospitals run smoothly and make a real difference. Consider advancing your qualifications with a bachelor’s or master’s degree to move into supervisory or senior management roles in healthcare administration.

The GBS Dubai Healthcare Management programme is accredited by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), ensuring that students are well-prepared for the workforce upon graduation. Additionally, the institution’s partnership with Pearson provides practical assignments and industry-focused projects, helping students gain real-world skills. Moreover, the lively environment at its Dubai Knowledge Park campus further enriches student life. As a result, creating a well-rounded learning experience for students.