What Health Information Management Technicians Do

Health information management professionals study the principles and practices of acquiring, analyzing, maintaining, releasing, and protecting medical information vital to providing quality patient care. These professionals are linked to physicians, technology designers, and information technology. They play an essential role in bridging patients’ health information and payors, such as insurance companies, and government and regulating agencies, and are a critical component of the electronic health record (EHR) workforce.

There are two levels of health information management professionals. Health information technicians (HIT) work in healthcare, however, they do not generally work directly with patients. A health information technician (HIT) assembles patient health information including medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services. They organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. They may work as medical coders who specialize in coding patient information for reimbursement purposes. They communicate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information. Entry-level health information technicians usually have an associate degree with a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential.

The health information manager (HIM) has a baccalaureate degree with a Registered Health Information Management (RHIM) credential. The individuals function in management positions, responsible for ensuring the availability, accuracy, and protection of the clinical information that is needed to deliver healthcare services and to make appropriate healthcare related decisions. They also design, implement, and maintain health information technology systems.

Types of Work Environment

  • Hospitals
  • Physician offices
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Insurance companies
  • Correctional facilities
  • Mental health facilities
  • IT companies
  • Law offices
  • Consultants

Education and Training Requirements

Associate degree

  • Two-year degree
  • General overview of the profession – technical focus
  • Traditional classroom and distance learning are available
  • Evening programs available
  • Obtain RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) credential after successfully passing the national exam
  • Requirement of 20 continuing education units every 2 years

Bachelor’s Degree

  • Four-year degree
  • Two years of general education courses, entering professional coursework in junior year – management focus
  • Traditional classroom and distance learning are available
  • Some RHIT to RHIA programs are available
  • Obtain RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) credential after successfully passing the national exam
  • Requirement of 30 continuing education units every 2 years

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median salary for health information technicians is approximately $48,780 per year.

Professional Organization

The American Health Information Management Association

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