Healthcare Management

Healthcare Management Careers > Healthcare Information Technician

See Available Healthcare Information Technician Schools

Also known as Health Information Technologist.

Health information technicians are those who are in charge of assembling and maintaining patients' medical records. They make sure that all forms are present and properly identified and signed, and place all patient information in a computer file. They may also have to discuss the file with physicians or other healthcare professionals in order to clarify a diagnosis or get any additional information they might need to add. They may use computer programs to analyze data in order to improve the quality of patient care, for use in legal actions, or in response to surveys. Some health information technologists specialize in coding (medical coder) or in tumor registration (tumor registrar), where they compile and maintain information on patients with cancer in order to provide information to physicians or for research studies.

Earning Potential:
Health Information Technicians can earn in excess of $50,000 (AMA)

Working Environment:
Health information technicians are most often employed in hospitals, but may also work in physicians' offices, health insurance companies, healthcare groups, or local, State, or Federal offices. They usually work a regular 40 hour week

Educational Requirements: Health information technicians usually have an associate's degree from an accredited community or junior college. However, they may also be trained through an Independent Study Program in Health Information Technology, which is offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Some hospitals will even advance clerks to these positions. Most employers prefer hiring Accredited Record Technicians who have passed a written examination offered by the (AHIMA), which is taken upon earning the associate's degree or completion of the Independent Study Course.

The outlook for this job is good, as are all healthcare careers. Health information technology is expected to grow much faster than the average of all occupations at least through 2006, but likely beyond, as the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures will be increasingly scrutinized by third parties such as insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers. Hospitals will continue to be the largest single employer of health information technicians, though rapid growth is expected in physicians' offices and clinics, nursing homes, and home health services

Sources:
Allied Health

Healthercare Information Technician Schools:

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

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

Colorado
DeVry University * (Colorado Springs, Westminster) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Florida
Central Florida College (Winter Park) - Health Information Technologies, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding Specialist, Patient Care Technician
DeVry University * (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
DeVry University* (Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cobb/Galleria, Perimeter) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

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

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

Indiana
DeVry University* (Indianapolis, Merrillville) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

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

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

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

Maryland Schools
DeVry University* (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
DeVry University (Edina) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Rasmussen College* (Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Mankato, Minnetonka, St. Cloud) - Child Care, Health Information Technician, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Administration: Medical, Legal and Executive Office

Missouri Schools
DeVry University (Kansas City, Kansas City - Downtown, St. Louis) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Sanford-Brown College* (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
DeVry University (North Brunswick) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Harris School of Business (Cherry Hill) - Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant

North Carolina Schools
TechSkills* (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
DeVry University * (New York) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics
Technical Career Institute (New York City) - Medical Office Administration, Health Information Technology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington Schools
DeVry University* (Milwaukee) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics

Online Schools:
DeVry University* (Online) - Health Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Biomedical Informatics