The Health Information Technicians organize and manage the medical record of patients in a health care institution. They ensure its accuracy, accessibility, security and proper entry into computer systems. Their responsibilities include entering, verifying and securing required data, retrieving records for patients and medical personnel, helping the patients for insurance claims etc. They also translate complex medical data into simple and lucid information for the common people.
Health Information Technicians work in government and private hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation centers etc. They work day, night and weekend shifts.
Educational Requirements
To become a Health Information Technician, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a 2-year associate’s degree in health information technology or a related field. The common course work includes anatomy, medical coding, health statistics, physiology, database management and reimbursement procedures etc.
The students can pursue a Degree program or higher studies to get a better job opportunity in this field.
Consider Certification
Since many employers require professional certification, the aspiring Health information technicians can obtain it after successfully clearing an examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Skill Set
Besides the clinical knowledge, Health Information Technician possess various skills such a clear understanding of confidentiality, high medical ethics, ability to remain calm under pressure, work with compassion, maintain privacy, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, management and organization abilities, computer skills etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Health Information Technician remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 22 % from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Health Information Technician was $34,160 in May 2012.