Health Information Technology Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Health Information Technology?

When someone breaks an arm, undergoes heart surgery, receives medicine to treat a sore throat, or simply gets an annual physical, a record of their physician’s treatments, observations, and notes is created and saved. This record includes information concerning symptoms and medical history, previous medical exam reports, x-ray and laboratory test results, doctors’ diagnoses, and a list of past treatment plans.

This information is crucial to providing quality health care, and is the main concern of professionals in the health information technology field. These workers have the responsibility of recording important information regarding patient care in digital files that can be easily accessed by other health care professionals. Keep reading to learn more about health information technology degrees, careers they can lead to, and what it takes to become a health information technology major.

Types of Health Information Technology Degrees

Degree programs that introduce students to health information technology are diverse and varied. Not only can students choose to pursue several different levels of health information technology degrees, but they can choose whether to pursue their studies in a traditional classroom setting or online via distance education. In some cases, they may even be able to choose a hybrid degree program where they can complete some of their coursework in-person and the rest online.

Before you consider a career in health information technology, it helps to know what kinds of degrees are generally available and what you should focus on during the course of your studies. Consider these options:

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Health IT?

If you are considering the prospect of becoming a health information technology major, it’s crucial to understand the career options that may become available to you. Here are some of the many careers available in this industry, and what they entail:

Health Information Technicians

A health information technician is responsible for reviewing medical charts to check for completion and accuracy. These professionals also generate reports and assign diagnosis codes to medical charts for insurance claims and data collection purposes. Health information technicians gather, analyze, and manage information so that health care providers can successfully care for patients.

These professionals can work in a number of different health care-related situations. Commonly, health information technicians can find employment in locations such as hospitals, medical clinics, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies, home care agencies and nursing homes.

• A health information technology certificate or associate degree is a common requirement for this career.
• Certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) may be required.

Medical Coders

The medical coder’s job is to review various medical documents, then translate their information into appropriate numeric codes. By using a standard health care coding system, they are able to boil complex medical data down to a simple series of codes that can be easily referenced at a later date.

This job is frequently the point of contact between the medical and business sides of health care. Doctors and pharmacists may use coders’ reports to gain an understanding of a new patient’s previous medical history, while health care insurance professionals often rely upon the same reports to decide how insurance can be paid out in regards to a condition or injury.

• Earning a certificate or an associate degree in medical coding usually qualifies students for entry-level positions.
• Becoming certified as a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) may increase your job prospects, although certification is not always required.

Health Care Information Managers

Health care information managers oversee the business components of providing health care services. These professionals might find themselves responsible for managing health information systems that house all medical documents and insurance information for an entire health care facility, from a small clinic all the way up to a sprawling hospital.

It is common for health information administrators to work in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, medical clinics and health maintenance organizations. The position is typically held by advanced, experienced health care professionals who possess demonstrated skills and knowledge; as such, a formal education is a crucial component for those who wish to pursue the career.

• Health care information administrators should have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have also earned a master’s degree in health care information management.
• Certification is not required, but many professionals in this field pursue a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential.

Medical Secretaries

A medical secretary primarily performs clerical and administrative functions that enable physicians and other medical professionals to work more efficiently. General responsibilities include transcribing dictation, generating and editing correspondence documents, and aiding physicians with various reports, speeches, articles and conference proceedings. Medical secretaries may also offer technical support, update and maintain medical records, and handle arrangements for the hospitalization of patients.

It is important for a medical secretary to be familiar with health insurance rules, billing methods, and medical and laboratory procedures. Since technology is constantly changing, it is also important for medical secretaries to update their understanding of the available information management systems on a regular basis.

• A college degree may not be required, but certification or an associate degree could increase your job prospects.
• Advanced credentials are not required for this career.

Health IT Salaries and Career Outlook

Health IT Associations and Organizations

Because the role of the health information technology professional can be so crucial to the workplace, employers usually want to be sure that the employees they hire have a solid understanding of the job. Becoming professionally certified through one of these organizations can be a good way to assure a prospective employer that you’ve got what they’re looking for.

• American Academy of Professional Coders — This organization works to keep its fingers on the pulse of the medical coding industry while offering members news and continuing education opportunities. Several credentials are also available through them, including the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), and Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA).
• National Association of Health Data Organizations — This organization is a national firm dedicated to improving health data organization across the country. Here, you can access important health IT resources and learn about innovations in the industry.
• Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society — This organization serves as an important networking tool for professionals in health care information and management careers. Professional development and continuing education opportunities are available, as are career and job boards.
• American Medical Informatics Association — This organization focuses on offering continuing education and resources for medical informatics professionals. Workers can visit the website to connect with networking opportunities or continuing education courses in their area.
• National Institute for Health Care Management — This foundation offers news and studies for health care management and related fields. They support research that aids in health care reform and delivery as well.