Health Information Technician

Health Information Technicians Manage Electronic Medical Records.

There has never been a better time to become a health information technician. Massive federal funding and aggressive regulatory deadlines for medical practices to implement electronic health records have made Healthcare the leading growth-sector for new IT jobs through 2018. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Health information technicians use specialized computer programs and record-keeping techniques to ensure that patients' electronic health records (EHRs) are complete, accurate, accessible, and secure. If you're intrigued by medicine and possess strong organizational skills, health information technician may be the career for you.

Learning a specialty is the quickest way to advance your health information technician career. The hottest specialties are:

• Medical Coding: Medical coders translate diagnostic and procedural phrases in health records into alphanumeric codes to ensure record accuracy, simplify the EHR review process, and improve patient care.
• Medical Billing: Medical billers enter patient and clinical data into specialized bill processing programs so the medical practice can get properly reimbursed by insurance companies and government health care agencies.
• Cancer Registry: Cancer registrars analyze patient records for cancer disease patterns, treatments, and test results, and maintain the aggregated data in national cancer registry databases.

Entry-level health information technician jobs typically require an associate degree in health IT (HIT), health information management (HIM), or health informatics. Bachelor degrees generally include health IT administrator training and prepare graduates for manager health information technician roles. Some positions only accept CAHIIM accredited degrees, while some health IT jobs require specific credentials, like the RHIT from AHIMA. Learn more about health information technician education requirements and compare the top-rated CAHIIM-accredited health IT training programs in the U.S. and online.

a.k.a. Medical Record Technician | Health Information Manager | Medical Coder | Medical Biller | Healthcare IT Technician

Healthcare IT Training

Health Information Technician Skills & Responsibilities

Typical day-to-day activities and in-demand skill sets for health information technicians include:

• Health information technicians manage patient health information in electronic health records.
• Health information technicians review paper forms & documents for accuracy before entry into EHRs.
• Health information technicians transfer existing paper medical records into electronic health records.
• Health information technicians use health record management software to secure EHRs from unauthorized access.
• Health information technicians understand the regulatory rules of health record retention, disposal and archiving.
• Health information technicians are familiar with EHR classification systems, healthcare IT terminology & acronyms.
• Health information technicians are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the e-health records database.
• Health information technicians can analyze electronic data to give insight into disease patterns & treatment outcomes.
• Specialized health information technicians perform medical billing, health record coding, and cancer registry updates.

[Top]

Health Information Technician Salary

• Health Information Technician salary: $45,000

Average yearly wages for Health Information Technician and related positions:

• Medical Records Technician salary: $43,000
• Medical Records Field Technician salary: $44,000
• Health Information Technician salary: $45,000
• Registered Health Information Technician salary: $50,000
• Cancer Registrar salary: $51,000
• Certified Coding Associate salary: $51,000
• Medical Records Coder salary: $52,000
• Clinical Outcomes Coordinator salary: $63,000
• Medical Coding Consultant salary: $65,000
• Registered Health Information Administrator salary: $70,000
• Health IT Instructor salary: $75,000
• Coding Auditor Supervisor salary: $77,000
• Supervisory Medical Records Administrator salary: $81,000

Health information technician jobs paying hourly wages range from $14 to over $30 per hour.

[Top]

Health Information Technician Education Requirements

The most important thing to look for when evaluating Health Information Management and Health Informatics degree programs is CAHIIM Accreditation; this is critical for two main reasons:

• You must attend a CAHIIM accredited degree program in order to be eligible for the in-demand professional health information management certifications from AHIMA.
• CAHIIM accredited degrees are guaranteed by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) to deliver the knowledge, skills and job marketability you need to succeed in HIM.

For entry-level health information technician jobs, hiring managers typically require an Associates degree in health information management (HIM), healthcare IT, or health informatics. Some entry-level health IT positions require certification, typically the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certificate. Advanced HIM degrees, i.e., Bachelor's and Master's, typically prepare students for supervisory health information technician roles.

Online training programs are viable at all health information technician degree levels, as there is no direct hands-on patient care involved, and software & hardware training is easily simulated in an online learning platform. Some online degree programs for health information technicians offer unique advantages over physical classrooms, such as full-time access to virtual EHR labs so you can practice your EHR coding & billing skills 24/7.

Research and compare the top-rated CAHIIM-accredited healthcare IT training programs in the U.S. and online.

[Top]

Health Information Technician Training & Degrees

Browse the top-rated undergrad & graduate degrees, professional certificates, online training programs and self-paced courses matching the health information technician education requirements and career path.

Accredited School	Health IT Training Program	Course Highlights & Certifications
Request More Info	Associate Degree in Health IT Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Associate CAHIIM-Accredited: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	CAHIIM-Accredited Associate Degree ICD-9-CM Medical Coding Training AHIMA RHIT Certification Preparation Health Ins. & Reimbursement Training Health Information Regulatory Issues Healthcare Terminology & Acronyms 24/7 Access to Electronic Health Record (EHR) Lab Software for Self-Study Qualifies for AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician Certification (RHIT)
Request More Info	A.A.S. in Health Information Technology Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Associate CAHIIM-Accredited: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	CAHIIM-Accredited Associate Degree AHIMA RHIT Certification Preparation U.S.A. Health Care System Overview Learn Intermediate ICD-9-CM Coding HCPCS and Ambulatory Care Coding Medical Insurance and Billing Skills Intro to Pathophysiology & Diseases Health Information Law and Ethics Pharmacology for Health Professionals Virtual Lab for Real-World Experience Qualifies for AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician Certification (RHIT)
Request More Info	Bachelor's Degree in Health Informatics Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor CAHIIM-Accredited: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Includes Certification Prep & Exams for: CIW Database Design Specialist CompTIA A+ Certification CAHIIM-Accredited Bachelor's Degree Courses Align with AHIMA Curriculum Advanced Health Informatics Training Coding & Reimbursement Methodologies Human Anatomy & Physiology Training Healthcare Legal & Ethical Considerations Healthcare Statistics & Research Training Health IT Systems Design & Management Learn Project Management & Leadership Qualifies for AHIMA Registered Health Information Administrator Certification (RHIA)
Request More Info	B.S. in Health Information Management Method: Online or On-Campus Degree Level: Bachelor CAHIIM-Accredited: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	CAHIIM-Accredited Bachelor's Degree Learn Diagnosis & Procedureal Coding CIS & Database Administration Training Healthcare Information Laws and Ethics Electronic Medical Record Management Health IT Budget Prep & Management Healthcare Terminology and Acronyms Healthcare IT Team Leadership Practices HIM Business & Management Concepts Qualifies for AHIMA Registered Health Information Administrator Certification (RHIA)
Request More Info	Master's Degree in Health Informatics Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Master CAHIIM-Accredited: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree	CAHIIM-Accredited Master's Degree Advanced Education in Health Care Communication Systems Management Study Relevant Interpersonal, Organizational and Mass Communication Theories Health Informatics Team Leadership and Professional Development Training Health Care Information Security, Risk Assessment, and Pre-Emptive Actions Learn how to Successfully Manage Health Care IT Vendors and Suppliers Healthcare Social & Organizational Issues
Request More Info	Health Information Management Course Method: Online Training Degree Level: Non-Degree Accredited Program: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Health Information Management Concepts Nationwide Health Information Network Health Information System Life Cycles Numbering, Filing & Circulation Systems Collecting and Maintaining Health Data Patient Record & Documentation Issues Electronic Health Records System Evolution Clinical and Administrative Terminologies Online Training with Live Help & Support Course Fits Seamlessly with Allied School's Medical Coding, Medical Billing & Medical Administrative Assistant Programs

Find Computer Training Schools

Choose a Subject:
Software Engineering Computer Applications Computer Science Computer Programming & Software Development Computer Forensics Information Assurance Information Systems Security Intrusion Detection Database Technology Database Administration Database Design & Development Video Game Programming Web Design Training Web Development Training Internet Systems Training Information Technology Information Systems IT Management & Administration Information Systems Management IT Project Management Communications Technology Computer Networking Training Network Administration Network Applications Network Design & Development Cisco Networking Technology Systems Analyst Training Telecommunications Technology Wireless Networks Training Operating Systems Training Internet Certification Training Hardware Support & Repair Tech Support & IT Helpdesk Art and Design Training (All) Accessory Design Training Acting Training Art Training CAD CADD Computer Aided Drafting Design AutoCAD Commercial & Advertising Art and Design Training Desktop Publishing Training Dressmaking Training Fashion Training Fashion Design Training Fashion Merchandising Training Fashion Modeling Training Film and Cinema Studies Training Floral Design Training Furniture Design Training Graphic Design Training Animation Training Computer Graphics Training Game Art & Design Training Multimedia Design Training Visual Effects Training Illustration Training Industrial Design Training Interior Decorating Training Interior Design Training Jewelry Design Training Music Training Musical Theory Training Photography Training Commercial Photography Training Digital Photography Training Sewing Training Engineering and Architecture (All) General Engineering Aerospace Engineering Architectural Engineering Automotive Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biotechnology Engineering Civil Engineering Construction Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Alternative Power Generation Technology Architecture CAD CADD Computer Aided Drafting Design AutoCAD Engineering Technology Industrial Technology Quality Control Technology Education and Teaching (All) Early Childhood Education Education Administration Child Care Services and Management Child Development Early Childhood Education Administration Higher Education Administration Education Leadership Education Technology Instructional Design Teacher Assisting Teaching Adult Education and Teaching Art Education and Teaching Business Education and Teaching Computer and Technology Education and Teaching Elementary Education and Teaching English Education and Teaching ESL Second Language Education and Teaching Foreign Language Education and Teaching Geography Education and Teaching Health Education and Teaching Higher Education and Teaching History Education and Teaching Language Arts Education and Teaching Math Education and Teaching Middle School Education and Teaching Music Education and Teaching Other Education and Teaching Reading and Literacy Teaching Science Education and Teaching Secondary Education and Teaching Social Science Education and Teaching Special Education and Teaching Business (All) Accounting Accounting Technology Fraud Examination and Management Bookkeeping CPA Certified Public Accountant Forensic Accounting Taxation Advertising Business Administration B.A. with an Accounting Concentration B.A. with an Acquisitions and Contract Management Concentration B.A. with a Criminal Justice Concentration B.A. with an E-Commerce Concentration B.A. with an Environmental Management Concentration B.A. with an Entrepreneurship Concentration B.A. with a Finance Concentration B.A. with a Global Management Concentration B.A. with a Health Care/Health Care Management Concentration B.A. with a Hospitality Management Concentration B.A. with a Human Resource Management Concentration B.A. with an Information Systems Management Concentration B.A. with an International Business Concentration B.A. with a Leadership Concentration B.A. with a Marketing Concentration B.A. with a Negotiation and Conflict Management Concentration B.A. with a Non-Profit Management Concentration B.A. with an Operations Management Concentration B.A. with a Project Management Concentration B.A. with a Public Administration Concentration B.A. with a Sports Management Concentration B.A. with a Supply Chain and Logistics Management Concentration B.A. with a Technology Management Concentration Executive Business Administration Business Negotiation Labor Relations Business Technology Business Intelligence and Analysis Management Information Systems MIS Commerce E-Commerce - Electronic Commerce Corporate Training Economics Entrepreneurship Finance Banking Financial Analysis Financial Planning Human Resources Insurance International Business International Finance International Marketing Leadership Management Acquisitions and Procurement Management Call Center Management Contract Management Customer Service Management Entertainment and Music Management Event Planning and Management Facilities Management Hospitality Management Hotel and Motel Management Logistics Management Non-Profit Management Operations Management Organizational Management Project Management Property Management Retail Management Risk Management Small Business Management Supply Chain Management Tourism Management Marketing Internet E-Marketing Office Management Admin. Asst. - Exec. Asst. - Secretarial Office Skills Public Administration Real Estate Real Estate Appraisal Real Estate Broker Sales Wedding Planning and Bridal Consulting Communications and Media (All) Corporate Communications Communications Digital Communications Film Production and Editing Graphic Communications Journalism Multimedia Communications Music Production Public Relations Radio Production Recording Arts Television Production and Editing Visual Communications Visual Media Production Health, Healthcare and Nursing (All) Allied Health Alternative Medicine Acupuncture Aromatherapy Asian Medicine Herbalism Naturopathic Medicine Dental Assisting Dental Hygiene Dental Technology Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic Gerontology Healthcare Management Healthcare Services Administration Long Term Care Administration Healthcare Technology Anesthesiology Technology Cardiovascular Technology Health Information Technology Radiologic Technology Sonography and Ultrasound Technology Surgical Technology X-Ray Technology Laboratory Science Histologic Technology Medical Laboratory Assisting Medical Laboratory Technology Phlebotomy Medical Assisting Home Health Assisting Physicians Assistant Medical Office Admin. & Mgmt. Dental Office Assisting Health and Medical Claims Healthcare Informatics Medical Insurance - Billing and Coding Medical Office Assisting Medical Practice Management Medical Records - Health Information Administration Medical Transcription Nursing Forensic Nursing LPN & LVN Lic. Practical Nursing and Lic. Vocational Nursing LPN to BSN - Licensed Practical Nursing to Bachelor of Science Nursing LVN to BSN - Licensed Vocational Nursing to Bachelor of Science Nursing NP Nurse Practitioner Nurse Assisting Nursing Administration Nursing Education Nursing Specialties RN Registered Nursing RN to BSN - Registered Nursing to Bachelor of Science Nursing RN to MSN - Registered Nursing to Master of Science Nursing Optician – Optical Assistant Pharmaceutical Science Pharmacy - PharmD Pharmacy Assisting Pharmacy Technology Public Health Rehabilitation Therapy Audiology Massage Therapy Occupational Therapist Assisting Physical Therapy Assisting Respiratory Care Therapy Assisting Spa Therapy Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Athletic Training Health and Physical Education Nutrition and Dietetics Sport and Fitness Management Sports and Exercise Sports Medicine Veterinary Assisting and Technology Animal Grooming Animal Training Liberal Arts (All) Behavioral Sciences Distance Learning English Literature Ethnic Studies Gender Studies General Studies Geography History Art History Military History Human Development Human Services Humanities International Relations Interpreter Training Library Science Ministerial Studies Multi - Interdisciplinary Studies Philosophy Political Science Public Policy Religious Studies Second Language Learning ESL English as a Second Language SSL Spanish as a Second Language Social Sciences Community Services Social Services Social Work Sociology Writing Childrens Books Writing Creative Writing Culinary Writing Technical Writing Bioinformatics Biology Environmental Management Environmental Science Mathematics Mortuary Science and Funeral Studies Wildlife and Forestry Psychology, Counseling and Mental Health (All) Counseling Community Health Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy Mental Health Counseling Conflict Resolution Pastoral Counseling School Counseling Substance Abuse - Addiction Counseling Psychology Child and Developmental Psychology Clinical Psychology Forensic Psychology Health - Medical Psychology Industrial and Organizational Psychology Sport Psychology Psychiatry Vocational and Trade (All) Appliance Installation and Repair Aviation Airplane Piloting Airport Management Construction Building Inspection Building Maintenance and Improvement Carpentry Construction Management Electrician HVAC Landscaping - Groundskeeping Plumbing Gunsmithing Heavy Equipment Operation Locksmithing and Safe Repair Mechanic Trades Aircraft Mechanics Auto Mechanics Autobody - Collision and Repair Avionics Maintenance Diesel Mechanics Marine Mechanics Motorcycle Mechanics Small Engine Repair Truck Driving - Commercial Vehicle Operation Welding High School(All) High School Diploma

Degree Type:
All Levels Certificate Diploma Associate Bachelor Master Doctoral MBA

Zip Code:

Learning Format:
Campus or Online Online Campus

CAHIIM Healthcare IT Degrees

[Top]

Health Information Technician Certifications

Established in 1928, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the premier certifying body in health information management. AHIMA offers a range of respected credentials for electronic medical record professionals and healthcare technicians across various experience levels and career specializations. Highly desirable AHIMA certifications for Health Information Technicians include the following:

• RHIT: Registered Health Information Technician
• RHIA: Registered Health Information Administrator
• CCA: Certified Coding Associate
• CCS: Certified Coding Specialist
• CHDA: Certified Health Data Analyst
• CHPS: Certification In Healthcare Privacy and Security

Find AHIMA Degrees

CompTIA's Healthcare IT Technician Certificate is a little different as it concentrates more on the overall computer technician job-role in a healthcare practice, and less on the electronic health records. The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate is ideal for existing IT and help desk professionals who want to add healthcare and specialized IT skills to their resume to find work in the red-hot healthcare IT domain.

[Top]

Health Information Technician Jobs

Your specialized health information technician training, experience and certifications qualify you for a variety of job roles including:

• Health Information Technician Jobs: Browse and apply to Health Information Technician Jobs
• Health Information Management (HIM) Jobs: Browse and apply to HIM Jobs
• Electronic Health Record Jobs: Browse and apply to Electronic Health Record Jobs
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Jobs: Browse and apply to RHIT Jobs
• Medical Biller Jobs: Browse and apply to Medical Billing Jobs
• Medical Coder Jobs: Browse and apply to Medical Coding Jobs
• Cancer Registrar Jobs: Browse and apply to Cancer Registry Jobs
• AHIMA Certified Jobs: Browse and apply to AHIMA Certified Jobs
• Clinical Systems Analyst Jobs: Browse and apply to Clinical Systems Analyst Jobs
• Clinical Analyst Jobs: Browse and apply to Clinical Analyst Jobs
• Medical Informatics Jobs: Browse and apply to Help Desk Technician Jobs
• Businesses and Hiring Managers: Post job openings and find candidates at a discount

Search Jobs

[Top]

Health Information Technician Job Outlook

Significant federal funding and aggressive government mandates for healthcare practices to adopt and maintain electronic health records are driving unprecedented growth in the Health IT sector. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare will produce more new IT jobs through 2018 than any other single industry. The health information technician job market is projected to grow by 20% annually through 2018, "much faster than the average for all occupations." Candidates that start health information technician training now will be well-positioned for supervisory roles as the healthcare IT market continues its rapid growth over the next decade.

Source: United States Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics

Government funding and regulations play a large role in the positive job outlook for health information technicians:

[Top]

Health Information Technician Related Careers

• Database Administrator
• Network Administrator
• IT Help Desk Technician
• IT Security Specialist

[Top]