Program Description for Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology may not be a title with which you are familiar, but people employed in this field are a vital component of every medical setting. You can find Health Information Technicians in every hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, health insurance organization, physician's office, hospice and mental health facility.

Health Information Technicians are the individuals who compile the data for medical-related agencies. More importantly, they determine specifically how that data is compiled and reported to insurance companies, government agencies and others for reimbursement, research, and quality monitoring.

Skills needed to work as a Health Information Specialist include: alertness, good vision, manual dexterity, keyboarding skills, ability to do filing, assembling, problem solving and analysis, ability to work at one station for extended periods of time, ability to work under pressure and observe deadlines, and the ability to communicate in writing and verbally.

Award Options for Health Information Technology

• Associate in Applied Science - Health Information Technology
  
  
• Diploma - Health Information Technology
  
  
  

Job Outlook for Health Information Technology

Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 20 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Employment growth will result from the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be performed. Technicians that demonstrate a strong understanding of technology and computer software will be in particularly high demand. The median annual wage of medical records and health information technicians was $30,610 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,290 and $39,490. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,060.

For details, please visit this link http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Accreditation for Health Information Technology Program

The Health Information Technology Associate’s Level program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Graduates of the two year program are eligible to write the national certification exam (Registered Health Information Technician-RHIT) given by the American Health Information Management Association.

 

Printable Factsheet (PDF) ,  Gainful Employment

Locations: Scott Community College

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