Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

What Medical Records and Health Information Technicians Do

 

Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred

to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information

data. They ensure its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper

and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and

categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes,

for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’

medical and treatment histories.

 

Job Outlook

 

Employment of health information techniciansis projected to grow 22

percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all

occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase

as the population ages.  Health information technicians need to be able

to discuss patient information and discrepancies with other professionals such as

physicians and insurance personnel.

 

Work Environment

 

Health information technicians held

about 186,300 jobs in 2012.

Most health information

technicians work in hospitals or

physicians’ offices. How to Become a

Medical Records or

Health Information Technician

Health information technicians typically

need a postsecondary certificate

to enter the occupation, although

they may have an associate’s degree.

Many employers also require professional certification.

 

Pay

 

The median annual wage for health information technicians was $34,160 in May 2012.