What is a health information technician (HIT)? Basically, they sort, code, file and ensure the accuracy of patient health care information, typically working in hospitals, doctor’s offices, out-patient care centers or long-term care facilities. In some respects they’re like medical clerks…but clerks who need to know all about privacy laws, medical billing and coding, and basic information about medical record-keeping.
How do you become a Health Information Technician? Well, you should begin by researching what it takes to become a health information tech, and the job requirements and prospects once you complete school, before deciding on HIT as a career. Once you’ve made the decision to go for a Health Information Technician career, there are five basic steps you’ll need to complete…beginning with earning a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Once the high school credentials are in order, it’s off to more schooling to earn a post-secondary certificate or associate’s degree in health information technology, where you’ll learn about health stats, medical coding, insurance reimbursements, and medical information technology.
Upon completing your basic schooling, step three involves considering Registered Health Information Technician certification. Why? Certification demonstrates your proficiency, which, in turn, may help you land a job…which is step four. Hospitals are the largest employers of HITs, but don’t overlook opportunities in physician’s offices, home care, or outpatient clinics.
Once you’ve gotten yourself into the profession, step five encompasses opportunities to advance your career by earning additional specialty certifications – from Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) to being certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS).
Career alternatives open to those who’ve completed a Health Information Technology programs can include becoming an information clerk, medical transcriptionist, or medical and health service manager. As the medical field expands throughout the U.S., the employment outlook for qualified medical records and health information technicians appears to be quite strong.
If Health Information Technology is the career path for you, Fortis may be a great place to start. Select campuses in Alabama and Texas offer Health Information Technology programs. Visit our Health Information Technology program page to learn more.
