Health Information Technician Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

When you visit a new doctor or therapist, the first thing they do is look at your medical records. The treatment and billing history of each patient is the most important document that doctors have access to. It informs them of the different ways that you’ve been treated in the past, the symptoms you’ve shown when you were sick, and the history your family has of developing certain diseases. Keeping the medical record up to date, accurate and informative is the job of the health information technician. These technicians are responsible for reviewing the medical record as it is prepared by the doctor and then assigning each diagnoses and treatment with a code that will determine how much the patient or his insurance company needs to be billed. It is important that a candidate for this position enjoys working with paperwork, entering information into the computer, and paying close attention to details.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$29,100
Salary Range
$22,800 - $34,500

Work Environment

Given the nature of the position of health information technician, they are usually found working in places where medical treatments and medical records are kept. This includes hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and public clinics.

High School Preparation

Although the health information technician doesn’t work directly with the patients, it is still important that they develop a working knowledge of health conditions and treatments. High school students that are interested in a career as a health information technician should focus on subjects like algebra, biology, social studies, sociology, chemistry, and psychology while in school. Any available training in office management, economics, computer skills and data processing is also helpful.

Requirements

After obtaining a high school diploma, or the equivalent, students interested in becoming health information technicians should seek out a two year associates degree program that focuses on health information technology or health administration. Examining various programs to determine whether they offer internships, externships or job placement services is advised for people who would like to land a job as soon as possible.

Career Outlook

There is a large expected increased in the number of jobs that will be available for trained health information technicians over the next decade. As more people get access to health insurance and health care, and more elderly people start requiring health care long into their eighties and nineties, there will be a real need for individuals that can help to process and organize their medical records. As more hospitals and doctor’s offices move to instate electronic records, it will also be necessary to have new technicians who know how to work with this technology.

Professional Organizations

American Health Information Management Association
233 N. Michigan Avenue,
Suite 2150
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
Phone: (312) 233-1100
www.ahima.org