Quickfacts:
A Good Fit For:
This job is a good fit for those who enjoy working in a field that blends business, science and technology.
Median Annual Salary:
$74,160
Data last updated August 2023
Job Description
Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data. They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files 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. These workers work in the area of medical records. They manage and organize medical data, ensuring the accuracy and the security of them. They can also track patterns of disease, treatment outcomes, as well as maintaining and updating software and developing networks. Health info techs can also specialize in types of information, such as in medical coding or in maintaining cancer registrars.
Source:
Patient Contact
Low – A health information tech is a unique job in health care, because it is one of the few jobs in health care that does not involve direct personal care. Most health information technicians work in hospitals or physicians’ offices but have very little interaction with patients or clinical care.
Employment Outlook
As electronic health records continue to grow and health information continues to be stored electronically, the demand for this type of career will grow exponentially. Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages.
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Education
Associate Degree – 1 - 2 Years
Source:
CHE.gov