Function

• In any health care setting, patients must be registered prior to receiving medical services. Patient information must be entered into a chart or computer, and billing information must be filed appropriately. Patient registrars must have excellent customer service skills and must work efficiently with a variety of computer software programs.
  
  

Considerations

• Patient registrars must have a variety of knowledge and training. The most important skill areas in order to work efficiently are medical billing and coding, medical procedures, customer service, and computer systems and software. Some employers require this training prior to being hired for a position and others will supply training for new registrars.
  
  

Types

• There are at least three options for obtaining the necessary training to become a patient registrar. Many community colleges offer training and degree programs in medical billing and coding and related fields. Some large health care systems offer their own classes and training in order for employees to gain specific knowledge related to their system. In smaller private practices, on-the-job training is not uncommon.