CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Health information technicians collect, organize, analyze and maintain patient’s healthcare information.
Career Level
Salary
National average, per year
$39,180
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
60,890
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Health Information Technician Job Description
Working in health information technology is a great way to be a part of the growing healthcare industry without doing direct patient care. Even though health information technicians don’t provide patient care, they do work regularly with healthcare professionals.
Health information technicians collect, organize, analyze and maintain patient’s healthcare information. They review patient records for completeness and accuracy. They are often responsible for tracking patient outcomes for quality assessment. They must protect the security of patient records to ensure confidentiality is maintained. They release patient information to people and agencies according to regulations.
Health Information Technician Job Responsibilities
Health information technicians may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Review patient records for accuracy
- Organize and maintain data for clinical databases
- Maintain confidentiality of patient information
- Track patient outcomes
- Process patient admission and discharge documents
- Release patient information to people and agencies according to regulations
Health Information Technician Salary
The actual salary of the health information technician can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $39,180*
National average per hour: $18.83*
- $45,149 per year, $21.70 per hour**
- $35, 793 per year, $14.65 per hour***
- $31,665 to $40,941 per year****
- $36,698 per year, $17.64 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Health Information Technician Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a health information technician? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Excellent job outlook
- Wide variety of healthcare settings to work in
- Potential to work from home
- Flexibility in work hours and shifts
- Shift flexibility
- Build skills for career growth
- Not as physically demanding as other healthcare jobs
Cons
- Must be very detail-oriented
- Long hours spent in front of a computer
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Health Information Technician?
If you are considering a career as a health information technician, this is the typical path you will need to take.
- Obtain a high school diploma/GED.
- Earn an associate’s degree in health information technology from an accredited program.
- Obtain a certification through AHIMA. Although certification is not required, it is highly recommended.
Suggested Career Path
The position of the health information technician is at the beginning of the medical career pathway and can be preceded by other entry-level jobs. A sample career path could look like this:
Patient Service Representative > Health Information Technician > Medical and Health Services Manager/Administrator
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate’s degree earned from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree allows for the advancement to management positions
Typical Work Experience Required
No work experience required to start.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by job and location.
- Detail-oriented
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Planning and organizational skills
- Knowledgeable in anatomy, biology, pharmacology and disease management
- Strong technical skills
- Excellent analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
Health Information Technician Certifications
Although there is no certification requirement, most employers do prefer that you are. Certifications make you more competitive in the job market.
- RHIT, Registered Health Information Technician (AHIMA)
- RHIA, Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA)
- CHDA, Certified Health Data Analyst (AHIMA)
Click on the certifications to find out more.
Health Information Technician Licenses
None
Health Information Technician Training and Preparation
Associate degree programs are available through community colleges, technical institutes and vocational schools throughout the country. There are also online degree programs available. These programs offer much more flexibility and may benefit people with family and work commitments.
After you have completed the 2-year degree program, you are eligible to take the exam to earn your certification. Traditional classroom or online prep courses are a great way to help you prepare for these certification exams. Study guides and review books are also very useful tools. These are available online or in your local bookstore.
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