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Guide to College Majors in Health Information Technology
========================================================

As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man
who has the best information.
--Benjamin Disraeli

What is Health Information Technology?

When someone breaks an arm, undergoes heart surgery, receives medicine
to treat a sore throat, or simply gets his yearly physical, a record
of his physician's treatments, observations, and notes is created and
saved. His medical record includes information concerning his 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
healthcare.

The health information technology field employs professionals and
technicians who are responsible for the organization of a patient's
medical record. Health information technicians begin this assembly
process by verifying that a patient's initial medical charts are
complete. All forms must be completed, identified, and signed. Then,
all this information must be entered into a computer. Additionally,
health information professionals must regularly communicate with
physicians to ensure accuracy, clarify diagnoses, and obtain any
supplementary information needed to update a patient's file.

Until very recently, all medical records were paper documents. Complex
information for millions of patients was managed exclusively with
files, folders, and forms. However, a new government initiative aims
to apply the same sophisticated technology we use for actual
healthcare towards managing and utilizing health information.

Over the next 10 years, this initiative intends to transfer the health
information technology field to a sophisticated database matrix. This
national push for advanced health information technology is combined
with an enormous need for qualified healthcare professionals - making
this a smart career move indeed.

Trends for Health Information Technology Careers

Projections indicate that career opportunities in health information
technology are tremendous. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
predicts that job opportunities for health IT professionals will be
highly favorable in the coming years. This field is projected to grow
much faster than average. Additionally, experts speculate that many
new health information technicians will find employment in nursing
centers, outpatient care facilities, other home medical services, and
physicians' offices.

Preparing for Health Information Technology School

Formal training is essential for this fast-paced career. Specialists
in health information technology rely heavily upon computer, medical,
and management knowledge. Quality training and skills are best
developed in a healthcare IT program that uses the latest health
information technology.

First, figure out if you have the right personality traits for this
career. Successful health information professionals pay attention to
detail, excel at organization, and can efficiently process and track
large amounts of information. Additionally, this group of healthcare
professionals has a sincere interest in healthcare and medical issues.
Potential students should consider their own natural talents and
inclinations to ensure that they have or can develop these
characteristics.

If you're still in high school, be sure to take as many relevant
courses as you can. A degree in this healthcare field will definitely
involve thorough and advanced studies of information technology
programs, medicine, health insurance, biology, and mathematics. Take
as many advanced placement computer, math, and science courses as
possible.

A third way to prepare for a health information technology degree
program is to spend time discussing this career field with a current
healthcare professional. Potential students should seize any
opportunity to shadow current professionals during a typical workday.
Follow a healthcare information technician around for a day to see
what your future career could hold. Discussing your interest in health
IT with a professional is a valuable way to receive advice, guidance,
and insight into the field. Ask questions about training,
opportunities for career advancement, and education requirements.

Finally, you're ready to choose a degree program. Compare and contrast
several programs, and don't forget online colleges. Think about what
you hope to get out of a program. If some programs do not cover an
aspect of health information technology that is of particular interest
to you, it will make choosing a school an easier process.

It is important to understand the various options and educational
paths available. By using this research as a catalyst, you'll also be
able to generate a list of questions to ask admissions counselors that
will help you selecting the best possible degree program. The more
information you can gather about different health IT program options,
the better informed his decision will be.

Career Education in Health Information Technology
=================================================

Associate, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees, Online and On-Campus

College degree programs in health information technology provide
students with the skills and training to find career opportunities in
this fast-growing field of healthcare. Whether you're interested in
gaining entry-level experience or you're a health IT professional
seeking to advance your skills, college degrees offer many worthwhile
possibilities.

Students interested in pursuing a degree in health information
technology will find a broad variety of options, depending on their
eventual career goals. And unlike most healthcare training programs,
many schools offer healthcare IT degrees online, since hands-on
clinical training is not always necessary for this career. By taking
courses online, health information technology students obtain a
thorough, technologically advanced education at their own convenience.
Online health information technology degree programs are in many cases
an advantage over traditional degree programs, enabling students to
get hands-on training in the latest computer management systems.
Students participate in online tutorials, web seminars, and virtual
interactive training. Health information technology students who
participate in online degree programs have the flexibility of
tailoring their own schedules and course loads to mesh with existing
commitments to jobs and family.

Certificate Programs in Health Information Technology

Earning a certificate in health information technology or medical
coding is an attractive option for students seeking entry-level jobs.
In this field, certificate programs are primarily designed for new
students seeking an introductory educational experience. Health IT
certificate programs cover medical terminology, health insurance
information, business aspects of healthcare, and intense study of
coding systems.

Certificate programs encourage students to develop the skills that are
necessary to assist healthcare professionals in accurately
maintaining, billing, and filing various healthcare documents. In many
health IT certificate programs, students can opt to transfer completed
courses to a more advanced degree program. Certificate programs vary;
potential students should discuss particular degree programs with
school admissions counselors.

Associate's Degrees in Health Information Technology

For many careers in health information technology, an associate's
degree is the foundation for obtaining entry-level jobs. Associate's
degree programs focus on information management, computer technology,
medical procedure and billing, health insurance, and healthcare
administration. It is common for students to return to school after a
few years of work experience, and many health information technology
programs allow students to transfer AS credit towards a bachelor's
degree program. Completing an associate's degree program is a very
good opportunity for students to gain practical, on-the-job experience
before committing to a more lengthy degree program.

Bachelor's Degrees in Health Information Technology

Health information technology bachelor's degree programs prepare
students for careers in healthcare information administration and
management. For most of these higher-level career paths, a bachelor's
degree is the mandatory starting point. Courses cover science,
medicine, business, information management, technology, health
insurance information, and other mathematical concepts that are
necessary for successfully managing healthcare facilities. Pursuing a
health IT bachelor's degree is a challenging endeavor that covers many
different and important aspects of this field, and students should
expect to commit four academic years to complete this degree program.

Master's Degrees in Health Information Technology

After a few years of introductory work experience, many entry- to
mid-level healthcare professionals seek a master's degree in order to
increase upper-level job opportunities. This degree program focuses on
preparing a student to oversee the management of medical coding,
billing, and records.

Students develop skills that equip them to properly implement and
utilize advanced technology. The curriculum also focuses on the fusion
of business skills and education with medical training. Graduates of
health information management master's degree programs are qualified
for upper-level management positions. Online degree programs at this
level are particularly useful for students who would like to continue
working while they earn an advanced degree.

What can you do with a College Degree in Health Information?
============================================================

Career options for aspiring medical secretaries, medical coders,
information technicians, and more

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 healthcare providers can successfully care for
 patients.

Commonly, health information technicians work in hospitals,
medical clinics, health maintenance organizations, public health
agencies, home care agencies, and nursing homes. Health
information technicians assist health information administrators
in managing and reviewing records, compiling data from records to
develop various reports, and storing medical records.

Generally, these healthcare professionals work with computers and
have little contact with patients. You can qualify for a position
as an entry-level health information technician with an
associate's degree. In many cases, certification is required by
the state. As technology advances, more employers will seek highly
trained health information technicians to assist in the
modernization of a healthcare facility's record management system.

The medical coder's job is to review various medical documents
 provided by physicians. She then translates this information into
 appropriate numeric codes. She assigns and sequences diagnostic
 and procedural codes by using a standard healthcare coding system.
 Medical coders serve very important roles in the healthcare field.

This job combines the medical and business sides of healthcare.
Financial reimbursement to healthcare professionals hinges upon
the accurate and efficient work of the medical coder. Earning a
certificate or an associate's degree in medical coding qualifies
students for entry-level positions. This job is a common entry
point into the health IT career field and often serves as a
catalyst for advancement opportunities within this sector of
healthcare.

Healthcare information managers oversee the business components of
 providing healthcare services. Health information administrators
 manage health information systems that house all medical
 documents, insurance information, and documentation for a health
 care facility.

It is common for health information administrators to work in
hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, medical clinics, and
health maintenance organizations. Healthcare information
administrators have at least a bachelor's degree and many have
also earned a master's degree in healthcare information management.
Advanced, experienced healthcare professionals who possess
demonstrated skills and knowledge typically hold this position.
Continued education is a crucial component to securing a career in
healthcare information administration.

Medical Secretary
 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
 provide technical support, update and maintain medical records,
 and handle arrangements for the hospitalization of patients. It is
 also important for a medical secretary to be familiar with health
 insurance rules, billing methods, and medical and laboratory
 procedures. As technology becomes more widespread in healthcare
 facilities, it will also become increasingly important for medical
 secretaries to continually update training and understanding of
 information management systems.

Salary Information for Careers in Health Information Technology

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median salary for health
information technicians is $28,030 per year, and the median salary for
medical secretaries is approximately $28,090 per year. The salaries
for upper-level health information management positions can range from
$50,000 to $74,000 per year. Earning potential increases significantly
with a combination of relevant work experience and advanced training.

Certification and Licensure
===========================

When a student completes a health information technology degree
program, he also needs to prepare for a certification exam. While
different certifications require varying amounts of education,
students will find that multiple opportunities to achieve
certification exist, no matter how basic or advanced their degrees may
be. When a health IT graduate earns appropriate credentials it
validates her commitment to industry standards and professionalism -
two commitments that are highly valued by all professional employers.

Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is an entry-level certification
that is generally required for launching a career as a medical coder.
Because the demand for top-notch coders is growing tremendously, this
certification was created to designate qualified coders as suitable
for employment. Making the decision to pursue this certification is
wise for new health information technology graduates; often, CCA
certification can be substituted for work experience in the pursuit of
an entry-level coding job.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

To earn this credential, you must have an associate's degree and
successfully pass the RHIT certification exam. This certification is
reserved for health information technicians who can demonstrate the
ability to ensure the quality of medical records. This is done by
verifying completeness, accuracy, and properly entering information
into computer systems. RHIT-certified professionals are also qualified
to use computer programs to assemble and analyze patient information
to improve patient care or cut financial costs. RHIT certification is
a very significant credential that all professional health information
technicians should strive to attain.

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

To become a Registered Health Information Administrator, you must hold
a bachelor's degree and pass the RHIA certification exam. This
credential denotes demonstrated skill in the collection,
interpretation, and analysis of patient records. RHIA-credentialed
professionals are also eligible to train for advanced managerial
positions. It is common for RHIA professionals to play a significant
part in all areas of a healthcare organization that use patient
information in decision-making and operations. This is an important
credential for students interested in upper-level health information
technology careers.

Health Information Technology Associations and Certification Bodies

American Academy of Professional Coders

National Alliance for Health Information Technology

National Association of Health Data Organizations

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems

American Nursing Informatics Association

American Medical Informatics Association

National Institute for Health Care Management

Explore Related Degree Programs
- Online Degrees in Health Information Management & Technology
- Online Degrees in Medical and Physician Assisting
- Online Degrees in Health Informatics
Read More

Pursue your Health Information Technology major today…
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University of Phoenix
Request Info University of Phoenix

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University
of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether
you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral
degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work-and much sooner
than you might expect.

Programs offered:

BS in Health Administration / Health Information Systems

Master of Health in Administration / Health Care Informatics

View Accreditation

Courses and degree programs at University of Phoenix Online are
available entirely online. The University of Phoenix Online is
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North
Central Association.

Learn more about programs at University of Phoenix.
Walden University Online
Request Info Walden University Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a
respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at
Walden University. Programs offered in management, education,
psychology and health and human services.

Programs offered:

M.S. in Health Informatics

View Accreditation

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of
the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Learn more about programs at Walden University Online.
Kaplan University
Request Info Kaplan University

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you
need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without
missing a day of work.

Programs offered:

AAS in Health Information Technology

BS in Health Information Management

View Accreditation

Kaplan University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of
Higher Education by the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools.

Learn more about programs at Kaplan University. DeVry University
Request Info DeVry University

DeVry University provides the flexibility you need to complete your
degree whenever and wherever it's convenient for you.

Programs offered:

Associate - Health Information Technology

View Accreditation

Online students are provided with a comprehensive e-learning
experience that enables them to master course content as thoroughly as
if they had attended classes onsite. DeVry degree programs fit into
your schedule via an online "campus" that is accessible 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA),
www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in
this accreditation.

Certified to operate by SCHEV
AC0060

Learn more about programs at DeVry University. Bellevue University
Request Info Bellevue University

Bellevue University provides high-quality career-oriented
undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Exceptional value and
affordability are available to a diverse student body through
operational efficiency and affordable tuition.

Programs offered:

BS in Management of Health Informatics

View Accreditation

Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of
the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Learn more about programs at Bellevue University.

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