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What is a health
information technician?
Health information
technicians work in hospitals, ambulatory health care facilities, physician
offices, industrial clinics, state and federal health agencies, skilled
nursing facilities, insurance and consulting agencies, and in other areas
where patient or health data is maintained. They perform technical
functions, such as evaluating health records and reports for accuracy and
completeness; compiling , interpreting, and utilizing hospital and health
care statistics; coding, diseases, and operations according to a recognized
classification system; assisting with medical facility committee
procedures; releasing confidential information in accordance with legal
requirements; processing patient claims and bills; abstracting and
retrieving medical information; and often performing as first-line
supervisors. Students in the curriculum are required to earn a grade
of " C" or better in each health information course before being
allowed to proceed to the next.
Find out more about being a health
information technician, click
here
How does this program
prepare me for a career?
The associate of applied
science degree program provides students with an opportunity to sit for the
RHIT and/or CCA national accreditation exams. Students take lecture and lab
courses as well as clinical courses in affiliated hospital and other health
care health information departments in the metropolitan area. Students are
able to seek employment during the day, since courses are offered during
the evening and online.
What professions can
I expect to enter after completing this program?
HIM professionals enjoy a broad
selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth.
Based on your skills, education and interests, job titles may include:
·
Health Data Analyst
·
Insurance Claims Specialist
·
Records Technician Specialist
·
Clinical Coding Specialist
·
Physician Practice Manager
·
Patient Information Coordinator
·
TUMOR Registrar
·
HIM Department Supervisor
·
Data Quality Manager
·
HIM Systems Analyst
HIM professionals work in a multitude of
settings throughout the healthcare industry, from hospitals, to physician
offices to insurance agencies. For more information about HIM
professionals in the workplace, click
here.
What is the
employment outlook for the next decade?
HIM professionals can expect to be in
high demand as the health sector expands into the next century. In fact,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information technology as one
of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the US.
On top of strong job prospects,
competitive salaries also await health information technology
graduates. More than half of new graduates with an associate’s
degree start with salaries in the $35,000 to $45,000 range. By five
years out, a credentialed health information professional can earn upwards
of $55,000 - $85,000 annually. And these figures are just averages
– many HIM professionals report salaries higher than average.
To see the results of AHIMA’s latest member salary and profile
survey,
click here.
Is this program
accredited or certified?
The program is accredited by
the Commission on the Accreditation for Health
Informatics and Information Management Education(CAAHIIM)
in cooperation with the American Health
Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Whom do I contact for
more information?
Contact Professor Sue
Meiskey, Takoma Park,
HIT Program Coordinator, by telephone at (240) 567-5519 or by email
at
sue.meiskey@montgomerycollege.edu.
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