Trauma Registrar

Career Guide

A Trauma Registrar manages and maintains a hospital trauma registry. They collect and code patient care information for trauma cases, check data quality, and support reporting that helps improve trauma care, meet accreditation requirements, and guide injury prevention efforts.

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Key Responsibilities

Identify trauma cases that meet registry rules and include them in the registry
Abstract patient information from medical records into the trauma registry system
Apply standard injury and procedure codes accurately
Validate data for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness
Prepare routine reports for clinical teams, hospital leaders, and trauma program reviews
Support trauma center verification and regulatory audits by assembling required data and documentation
Track trauma outcomes and key performance indicators
Collaborate with clinicians to clarify documentation when data is missing or unclear
Maintain secure handling of patient information and follow privacy requirements
Contribute to quality improvement projects by providing data and basic analysis
Assist with data submissions to regional or state trauma systems when required
Stay current on trauma registry standards and hospital policies

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Written Communication

Stakeholder Collaboration

Medical Record Review

Clinical Terminology

Patient Privacy Compliance

Trauma Registry Abstraction

Injury Coding

Data Quality Auditing

Trauma Registry Software

Report Preparation

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Trauma Registrar

Trauma Registry Lead

Trauma Program Manager

Trauma Data Analyst

Quality Improvement Specialist

Transition Opportunities

Clinical Data Analyst

Cancer Registrar

Health Information Management Specialist

Clinical Documentation Specialist

Healthcare Quality Analyst

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Injury Coding AccuracyRegistry Inclusion RulesData Validation MethodsBasic Data AnalysisAudit Readiness DocumentationReport Writing

Development SuggestionsBuild a structured coding and abstraction practice routine using deidentified sample cases, seek feedback from a senior registrar, and create simple checklists for data completeness. Strengthen reporting skills by learning to summarize trends clearly and consistently for nontechnical clinical audiences.

Market Intelligence Report

Trauma Registrar is part of the Clinical Administration category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 45,000 to 60,000

Mid LevelUSD 60,000 to 80,000

Senior LevelUSD 80,000 to 105,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is strongest at verified trauma centers and health systems expanding quality reporting and clinical data programs.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

HCA HealthcareKaiser PermanenteTenet HealthcareCommonSpirit HealthProvidenceAscensionTrinity HealthUniversal Health ServicesCleveland ClinicMayo Clinic

Industry Sectors

Hospital Trauma CentersAcademic Medical CentersRegional Health SystemsChildren's HospitalsPublic Health Systems

Recommended Next Steps

Review job postings from local verified trauma centers and note required coding standards and software tools

Complete training in trauma registry abstraction and data quality review

Practice translating chart details into accurate codes using a consistent reference process

Build a small portfolio of deidentified sample reports that show data quality checks and clear summaries

Ask to shadow a trauma program coordinator or quality team to understand how registry data is used in improvement work

Prepare interview stories that show accuracy, handling time sensitive deadlines, and collaboration with clinical teams