Health Information Technology
Health information technology is a growing field as hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient entities are inputting complex patient information and data into electronic files instead of the old paper filing in cabinets. Especially with the Federal legislation mandating the use of electronic medical records, hospitals and offices are in need of qualified, technology savvy individuals to maintain and document records of their patients’ information.
Individuals with a degree in health information technology will find themselves keeping a record of observations such as medical and surgical interventions, treatment outcomes, patients’ medical histories, examination outcomes, diagnoses, treatment plans, and reports of laboratory tests. They ensure that all necessary information is documented in a computer and will sometimes use data in computers to analyze patient information to provide better care and cost control. Some health information technology technicians will also have to work on insurance coding and billing for their patients.
Generally, for those interested in obtaining a career in this field, they must obtain at least an associate’s degree in health information technology or some related field. An associate’s degree will provide individuals with the knowledge and technical skills needed to be successful in the health care industry. However, for those who would like to obtain management positions in health care, a bachelor’s degree would be required.
Individuals could learn many aspects of the health care industry and become an asset to any organization by taking courses that focus on subjects such as information management, medical procedure and billing, health data standards, statistics, database management, computer science, medical terminology, and legal aspects of health information.
Many of these courses are available at online universities who offer programs in health information technology, medical recording, medical billing and informatics, or medical assisting. Online programs are very ideal for those who have busy schedules or must perform other tasks throughout the day. Most courses are available day and night, and easily accessible through any personal computer. For individuals who are eager to earn their health information technology degree quickly, online universities often offer accelerated courses with the same respected education as that at their traditional college campuses.
There are many career options available for students with a degree in health information technology. Most people who graduate in this field become health information technicians, medical coders, healthcare information managers, or medical secretaries. However, there are various other employment opportunities available in the health care industry that individuals are qualified for with this degree.
Health information technicians’ median salary is $28,030 annually, and a majority of them earn between $22,420 and $35,990 per year. Their earnings could vary, however, depending on the location of their job, experience, job title and education. For instance, those who worked in physicians’ offices made about $24,170, while those who worked in general medical and surgical hospitals earned $29,400 annually.
Top Health Information Technology Universities
DeVry University – Associate’s Degree. DeVry University follows a curriculum based on current associate degree entry-level competencies outlined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Students could be on the path to a career in health information technology in as little as 2 years.
Walden University – Bachelor’s Degree. If you’re looking to start your career in health information technology as soon as possible, the accelerated program at Walden University may be the right choice for you. Students will learn all the fundamental skills needed to succed in the health care industry.
