Career Profile: Healthcare Information Technology

See Available Healthcare Information Technician Schools

Also known as Health Information Technologist.

Job Description:

Would you like to work in the medical field but doesn't want to have direct patient contact? If so, then you should consider pursuing a career as healthcare information technology professional.

Healthcare information technology professionals are primarily responsible for compiling the patients' healthcare records, including diagnostic tests, examination results, symptoms, and medical history. The increasing demand for electronic health records (EHR) has broadened the functions of healthcare information technology professionals. Now, they shoulder a variety of information-related responsibilities as well as technological duties.

As a healthcare information technology professional, you are expected to assume the following responsibilities:

• effectively organize healthcare information data
• ascertain the quality, accessibility, security and accuracy of medical information
• obtain or clarify information from the doctors and other healthcare professionals through regular communication
• develop and maintain health information networks
• improve the usability of the EHR software
• use EHR software to manage data on patterns of diseases, treatments, and patient safety

In general, the duties and responsibilities of healthcare information technology professionals vary greatly depending on the size of the facility where they work.

Work Environment:

Most healthcare information technology professionals work in comfortable and pleasant medical offices. They typically work 40 hours a week, and may also be required to do some overtime. As for those employed in healthcare facilities that are open 24/7, their work schedule is usually divided in shifts.

Education and Training Requirements:

Entry-level healthcare information technology aspirants should satisfy at least an Associate degree program to be able to practice professionally. Like other medical professions, those who have acquired higher educational degrees and certifications will certainly have greater chances of finding high-paying jobs.

Since most employers prefer hiring credentialed health care information technology professionals, it is highly recommended that you pass a credentialing exam to gain a competitive edge. There are a number of organizations offering credentialing programs, such as the American Health Information Management (AHIM).

Healthcare information technology aspirants are advised to obtain a Bachelor's or Master's degree in order to advance to higher positions.

Salary Range:

Majority of healthcare information technology professionals are earning around $24,490 - $39,490 annually. Credentialed technicians working in big healthcare institutions are receiving higher comensations than entry-level technicians who work in small medical institutions. Highly-skilled and experienced technicians have the opportunity to earn more than $50,060 yearly.

Job Outlook:

Employment for healthcare information technology professionals is expected to increase by 20% until 2018. Job prospects are excellent and technicians with broad knowledge on computer software and technology will be in high demand. The growing demand for healthcare information technology professionals is a direct result of the surging need for effective medical information handling.

So what are you waiting for? Start your training today by browsing through our extensive list of healthcare information technology schools!

Arizona
	(Mesa, Phoenix) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

California Schools
	(Fremont, Irvine, Pomona, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco Downtown, West Hills) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Tech, Biomedical Informatics
	(Concord, Fresno, Hayward, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Salinas, San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton) - Medical Assisting, Medical Office Admin, Health Info Tech.

Colorado Schools
	(Colorado Springs, Westminster) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Flordia Schools
Central Florida College	(Winter Park) - Health Information Technologies, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding Specialist, Patient Care Technician
*	(Miramar, Orlando, Miami, Orlando North, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
North Florida Institute	(Orange Park) - Health Information Technologies, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding Specialist, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technology

Georgia Schools
	(Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cobb/Galleria, Perimeter) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Hawaii Schools
	(Honolulu) - Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration

Illinois Schools
	(Chicago, DuPage, Gurnee, Tinley Park) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Indiana Schools
	(Indianapolis, Merrillville) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Iowa Schools
Draughons Junior College	(Bowling Green) - Cardiographic Technician, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology

Maine Schools
	(Scarborough, Hermon) - Health Information Management, Medical Coding and Billing, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Transcription, Clinical Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician

Massachusetts Schools
	(Haverhill) - Clinical Medical Assistant, Health Information Management, Medical Coding and Billing, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Transcription

Maryland Schools
	(Bethesda) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Hagerstown Business College	(Hagerstown, Frederick) - Health Information Technology, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing/Coding, Medical Receptionist, Medical Receptionist/Transcriptionist, Medical Secretary/Assistant, Medical Transcriptionist, Phlebotomist, Dental Assistant

Minnesota Schools
	(Edina) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Missouri Schools
	(Kansas City, Kansas City - Downtown, St. Louis) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
	(Fenton, St. Charles, Hazelwood) - Healthcare Administration, Respiratory Therapy, Radiography, Medical Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Nursing, Surgical Technology, Health Information Technology, Dental Assistant

New Jersey Schools
	(North Brunswick) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

North Carolina Schools
	(Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh) - Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Transcription, Medical Office Administration, Pharmacy Technician

New York Schools
Berkeley College	(White Plains) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
	(New York) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Technical Career Institute	(New York City) - Medical Office Administration, Health Information Technology

Ohio Schools
	(Columbus, Rockside, Cleveland, Columbus - Polaris) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Oregon Schools
	(Portland) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Pennsylvania Schools
	(Fort Washington, Valley Forge, Pittsburgh) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Tennessee Schools
Draughons Junior College*	(Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Nashville) - Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technology, Health Information Technology

Texas Schools
	(Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Houston/Galleria, Plano) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Virginia Schools
	(Crystal City, Tysons Corner) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Washington Schools
	(Seattle) -Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Online Schools
	(Online) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.

* DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved