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Home | Career Pathways | Online Education Guide | Health & Medical Majors | Health Information Technology

Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Health Information Technology

What is Health Information Technology?

Whether a person breaks an arm, undergoes heart surgery, receives medicine to treat a sore throat, or simply gets his yearly physical, a record of his physician's treatments, observations, and notes is created and saved. A patient's medical record includes information concerning his symptoms and medical history, previous medical exam reports, x-ray and laboratory test results, doctors' diagnoses, and a list of past treatment plans. This information is crucial to providing quality healthcare.

The health information technology field employs professionals and technicians who are responsible for the organization of a patient's medical record. Health information technicians begin this assembly process by verifying that a patient's initial medical charts are complete. All forms must be completed, identified, and signed. Then, all this information must be entered into a computer. Additionally, health information professionals must regularly communicate with physicians to ensure accuracy, clarify diagnoses, and obtain any supplementary information needed to update a patient's file.

Until very recently, all medical records were paper documents. Complex information for millions of patients was managed exclusively with files, folders, and forms. Thus, a new government initiative aims to apply the same sophisticated, advanced technology used for providing healthcare towards managing, maintaining, and utilizing health information.

Over the next ten years, this initiative intends to transfer the health information technology field to a sophisticated database matrix. When this national push for advanced health information technology is combined with an enormous need for qualified healthcare professionals, pursuing a potential career interest in this field is certainly wise and promising.

Students interested in pursuing a health information technology degree program will find that many schools offer opportunities to participate in online and distance learning. By taking courses online, partaking in virtual training, and engaging with professors and other students, health information technology students obtain a thorough, technologically advanced education.

Additionally, online degree students can pursue such academic endeavors without the difficulty of relocating to a physical campus. Online health information technology degree programs enable students to fuse advanced medical technology information with hands-on training in new, computer oriented management systems.

Trends for Health Information Technology Careers

Projections indicate that career opportunities in health information technology are tremendous. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that job opportunities for health information technology professionals will be highly favorable through the year 2012. This field is projected grow much faster than the overall average predicted.

Additionally, experts speculate that many new health information technicians will find opportunities for employment in nursing centers, outpatient care facilities, other home medical services, and physicians' offices. This major increase in the demand for qualified health information technology professionals has also spawned ample opportunity for educational training in this growing healthcare field.

Preparing for Health Information Technology School

Pursuing education and training from a premier health information technology school is a necessity for anyone seeking a successful career in this field of healthcare. Specialists in health information technology rely heavily upon computer, medical, and management knowledge. Quality training and skills are best developed in a healthcare degree program that hones in on the latest health information technology.

Top-notch degree programs also provide a student with the ability to combine medical and science technology coursework with quality hands-on training. Making the decision to enroll in a health information technology degree program is a major decision; and it is important for potential students to be prepared.

The first step a potential student should take to prepare for a healthcare degree program involves weighing personal interests against the characteristics of a career in information technology. Successful health information professionals pay attention to detail, excel at organization, and can efficiently process and track large amounts of information. Additionally, this group of healthcare professionals has a sincere interest in healthcare and medical issues. Potential students should consider their own natural talents and inclinations to ensure that they share these characteristics.

Second, a potential student can develop a solid educational foundation by taking relevant high school courses that will assist him in his transition to health information technology degree program. Obtaining a degree in this healthcare field will definitely involve thorough and advanced studies of information technology programs, medicine, health insurance, biology, and mathematics. A potential health information technology student will certainly benefit from taking as many advanced placement computer, math, and science courses as possible.

A third way to prepare for a health information technology degree program is to spend time discussing this career field with a current healthcare professional. Potential students should seize any opportunity to shadow current professionals during a typical workday. A student could follow a healthcare information technician around for a day to see what his future career could hold.

Discussing interest in health information technology with a professional is a valuable way to receive advice, guidance, and insight into the field. Asking questions about training, opportunities for career advancement, and education requirements, may be the most important information a potential health information technology student obtains as he prepares for a new career.

When a future health information technology student makes the decision to pursue a career in this field, the last step of preparation involves comparing and contrasting different degree programs to find the best fit. This type of research is a valuable way for a student to discover what he hopes to get out of a program. Discovering that one program does not cover an aspect of health information technology that is of particular interest or that another program features several courses in a specialized area will make choosing a school an easier process.

It is important to understand the various options and educational paths available. By using this research as a catalyst, a student will also be able to generate a list of questions to ask admissions counselors that will assist selecting the best possible degree program. The more information a student can gather about different health information technology program options, the better informed his decision will be.

Career Education in Health Information Technology

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

College degree programs in health information technology provide students with the skills and training necessary to find career opportunities in this field of healthcare. The online availability of degree programs offers potential students a variety of choices and options. Whether a student is interested in gaining entry level experience as a health information technician or a medical coder, or whether a health information technology professional seeks to advance an existing set of skills and qualifications, online degree programs offer many worthwhile possibilities.

Advanced computer technology is the major reason that there is a major shift to upgrade and improve the health information technology field's structure. This same advanced technology also opens up more doors for online education and distance learning. Because the Internet is easily accessible for more students, more healthcare and information technology schools offer degree programs online. Students participate in online tutorials, web seminars, and virtual interactive training. Health information technology students who participate in online degree programs have the flexibility of tailoring their own schedules and course loads to mesh with existing commitments to jobs and family.

Certificate Programs

Earning a certificate in health information technology or medical coding is an attractive option for students hoping to secure entry-level employment as medical coding specialists. In this healthcare field, certificate programs are primarily designed for new students seeking an introductory educational experience. Online health information technology certificate programs cover medical terminology, health insurance information, business aspects of healthcare, and intense study of coding systems.

Certificate programs encourage students to learn and develop the skills that are necessary to assist healthcare professionals in accurately maintaining, billing, and filing various healthcare documentation. Training and education is an absolute necessity in this rapidly advancing healthcare field, and students are wise to consider online degree programs as an educational opportunity that will lead to advanced employment in information technology. In many online health information technology degree programs, students can opt to transfer completed courses required for a certificate to a more advanced degree program. Certificate programs vary; potential students should discuss particular degree programs with school admissions counselors.

Associate Degree Programs

For many careers in health information technology, earning an associate degree is the foundation for obtaining entry-level jobs. Thus, healthcare students who decide to first commit to an associate degree program will find many opportunities in the information technology field. Associate degree programs focus on information management programs, computer technology, medical procedure and billing, health insurance, and healthcare administration.

It is common for students to commit to advanced study and training after a few years of work experience, and many health information technology programs allow students to transfer credit towards a bachelor's degree program. Additionally, completing an online associate degree program is a very good opportunity for students to gain practical, on-the-job experience before committing to a more lengthy degree program.

Bachelor Degree Programs

Health information technology bachelor's degree programs prepare students for careers in healthcare information administration and management. For most administration and management career paths, a bachelor's degree is the mandatory starting point. Courses cover science, medicine, business, information management, technology, health insurance information, and other mathematical concepts that are necessary for successfully managing healthcare facilities.

Pursuing a health information technology bachelor's degree is a challenging endeavor that covers many different and important aspects of this field, and students should typically expect to commit four academic years to complete this degree program. Health information technology degree programs provide students with an opportunity to receive a quality education online, making the experience possible at any location with Internet access and an environment conducive to study.

Master's Degree Programs

After a few years of introductory work experience, many entry-level healthcare professionals seek advanced education and training to increase upper-level job opportunities. Therefore, many healthcare information administrators choose to pursue a master's degree. This degree program focuses on preparing a student to oversee the management of medical coding, billing, and records.

Students develop skills that equip them to properly implement and utilize advanced technology. Training also focuses on the fusion of business skills and education with medical and healthcare skills and education. Graduates of health information management master's degree programs are qualified for upper-level management positions. Online degree programs are appealing for students who would like to continue working while they earn an advanced degree.

Universities offering online health information technology degree programs:

University of Cincinnati - Health Information Management
Rasmussen College - Health Information Technology
A.T. Still University - Physician Assistant Studies Degrees
Keiser University - Medical Assistant Associate Degree
Touro University International - Online Physician Assistant Degree

What can you do with a College Degree in Health Information?

Career options for aspiring medical secretaries, medical coders, information technicians, and more

Health Information Technician
A health information technician is responsible for reviewing medical charts to check for completion and accuracy. These professionals also generate reports and assign diagnosis codes to medical charts for insurance claims and data collection purposes. Health information technicians gather, analyze, and manage information so that healthcare providers can successfully care for patients.

Commonly, health information technicians work in hospitals, medical clinics, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies, home care agencies, and nursing homes. Health information technicians assist health information administrators in managing and reviewing records, compiling data from records to develop various reports, and storing medical records.

Generally, these healthcare professionals work with computers and have little contact with patients. A position as an entry-level health information technician can be earned with an associate degree. In many cases, certification is required by the state. As technology advances, more employers will seek highly trained and qualified health information technicians to assist in the modernization of a healthcare facility's record management system.
Medical Coder
A medical coder's job is to review various medical documents provided by physicians. This professional then translates this information into appropriate numeric codes. He assigns and sequences diagnostic and procedural codes by using a standard healthcare coding system. Medical coders serve very important roles in the healthcare field.

This job combines elements of the medical and business sides of healthcare. Financial reimbursement to healthcare professionals hinges upon the accurate and efficient work of the medical coder. Earning a certificate or an associate degree qualifies students for entry-level medical coding positions. Employment in this position is a common entrance into the health information technology career field and often serves as a catalyst for advancement opportunities within this sector of healthcare.
Healthcare Information Administrator
Healthcare administrators oversee the business components of providing healthcare services. Health information administrators manage health information systems that house all medical documents, insurance information, and documentation for a health care facility.

It is common for health information administrators to work in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, medical clinics, and health maintenance organizations. Healthcare information administrators have at least a bachelor's degree and many have also earned a master's degree in healthcare information management. Advanced, experienced healthcare professionals who possess demonstrated skills and knowledge typically hold this position. Continued education is a crucial component to securing a career in healthcare information administration.
Medical Secretary
A medical secretary primarily performs clerical and administrative functions that enable physicians and other medical professionals to work more efficiently. General responsibilities include transcribing dictation, generating and editing correspondence documents, and aiding physicians with various reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings. Medical secretaries may also provide technological support, update and maintain medical records, and handle arrangements for the hospitalization of patients. It is also important for a medical secretary to be knowledgeable of health insurance rules, billing methods, and medical and laboratory procedures. As technology becomes more widespread in healthcare facilities, it will also become increasingly important for medical secretaries to continually update training and understanding of information management systems.

Salary Information for Careers in Health Information Technology

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median salary for health information technicians is $23,980 per year, and the median salary for medical secretaries is approximately $33,000 per year. The salaries for upper-level health information management positions can range from $40,000 to $74,000 per year. Earning potential increases significantly with a combination of relevant work experience and advanced training.

Certification and Licensure

As a student completes a health information technology degree program, he also needs to prepare for a certification exam. While different certifications require various amounts of education, students will find that multiple opportunities to achieve certification exist, no matter how basic or advanced his degree may be. When a health information technology graduate earns appropriate credentials it validates his commitment to industry standards and professionalism - two commitments that are highly valued by all major healthcare professional employers.

Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is an entry-level certification that is generally necessary for launching a career as a medical coder. Because the demand for top-notch coders is growing tremendously, this certification was created to designate qualified coders as suitable for employment. Students must meet educational requirements and pass a standard CCA examination. Making the decision to pursue this certification is wise for new health information technology graduates; often obtaining CCA certification can be substituted for work experience in the pursuit of an entry-level coding job.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

To be eligible to pursue this credential, a candidate must have an associate degree. Additionally, candidates must successfully pass the RHIT certification exam. This certification is reserved for health information technicians who can demonstrate the ability to ensure the quality of medical records. This is done by verifying completeness, accuracy, and properly entering information into computer systems. RHIT certified professionals are also qualified to use computer programs to assemble and analyze patient information to improve patient care or cut financial cost. RHIT certification is a very important credential that all professional health information technicians should strive to attain.

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

Requiring a minimum of a bachelor degree, Registered Health Information Administrator certification candidates must also pass the RHIA certification exam. This credential denotes are demonstrated skill in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of patient records. RHIA credentialed professionals are also eligible to receive the training that could produce advanced, managerial positions. It is common for RHIA professionals to play a significant part in all areas of a healthcare organization that use patient information in decision-making and operations. This is an important credential for students interested in upper-level health information technology careers.

Health Information Technology Associations and Certification Bodies