How to become A Health Information Technician

The healthcare sector is home to many careers, from nurses and surgeons to therapists, offering several essential services for our wellbeing. An often-overlooked category of experts in this vast field is that of Health Information Technicians. These professionals use their medical and organisational prudence to maintain patient information, such as medical histories and test results, electronically and on paper, which physicians use for appropriate diagnosis.

• Medical Records Technicians
• Clinical Coder
• Clinical Coding Officer
• Diagnostic Coder
• Medical Records Clerk
• Medical Records Coordinator
• Medical Records Tech
• MRT
• Medical Coder

What do Health Information Technicians do?

A Health Information Technician would typically need to:

• Collect and store patients’ medical information in electronic health records (EHR) to enable easy and quick retrieval and reporting, which helps physicians make diagnoses; use records to analyse disease patterns and treatment outcomes
• Initiate medical records by searching the master patient index; organise and maintain clinical databases
• Check paper medical records and documents for accuracy and transfer them into EHR
• Understand and manage patients’ medical data through these standardized electronic health records using classification systems, healthcare information technology terminology, and acronyms
• Check and update patients’ medical records to ensure they are up to date, complete and accurate; notify healthcare providers of record deficiencies and resolve discrepancies
• Use standard classification systems to assign codes to existing and new patients; use such clinical codes to facilitate insurance reimbursement and data analysis; abstract and code clinical data, such as diseases, surgeries, procedures, and therapies
• Verify medical records and ensure their availability by coordinating with different hospital departments and physicians; maintain chart location systems
• Uphold the hospital’s reputation and stability by complying with legal and hospital-specific policies and procedures concerning retention, disposal, and archiving of records; ensure patients’ confidentiality and follow release-of-information protocol
• Secure electronic health records from unauthorized access using record management software(
• Generate statistical reports based on archived healthcare and census information, including aspects such as the types of diseases witnessed and treated, surgeries and therapies performed, and the use of hospital beds
• Provide medical record information as appropriate by answering questions and requests of patients, hospital staff, law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies
• Keep equipment operational by following manufacturer’s instructions and established procedures; conserve resources by using equipment and supplies as needed
• Work as part of a team to accomplish overall beneficial results for patients and the medical facility; stay up to date on recent trends and technologies in health information technology

Health Information Technicians typically work in office-based environments in diverse industries, often in healthcare settings in urban and rural areas. Their job involves extensive work with a computer to enter, store and retrieve healthcare data.

Most Health Information Technicians work full time, forty hours per week. However, since records are needed in hospitals twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, you may also work evening, overnight or even weekend shifts. Part-time work may also be available.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Health Information Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, and inquiring at staffing agencies. They may also transition from their practicum and internship experiences into full-time jobs with the same employer.

Health Information Technicians are generally employed by:

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Physicians’ Offices
• Administrative & Support Services
• Residential Care & Nursing Facilities
• Scientific Institutions
• Nonprofit Organisations
• Government Agencies
• Health Departments
• Healthcare Corporations
• Scientific & Technical Services
• Software Companies

Professional associations and organisations such as the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA) are crucial for a Health Information Technician interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• A lack of balance between personal and professional life due to long working hours; susceptibility to frustration and burnouts with too little time for self-care
• Risks involved in the leakage of confidential patient health information
• Exposure to infectious diseases and hazards while being in direct contact with patients
• Work delays caused by a disruption in technology; lack of training and knowledge in using these systems
• Growth of non-traditional healthcare structures like telehealth that can replace the existing healthcare infrastructure

While not mandatory for entry-level Health Information Technicians, experience may help provide the necessary skills required for job success while also enhancing hiring and earning potential. Post-secondary programs in areas such as health information technology often integrate internships and practicums into the academic curriculum to give students a chance to apply their knowledge and gain hands-on experience. These professional experiences may transition into a full-time job or internship for students after graduation.

Reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in Health Information Technology will offer proof of your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Educational requirements for Health Information Technicians vary. Lower-level roles typically require only a high school diploma, often supplemented by healthcare experience. However, higher-level positions may ask for a post-secondary certificate, bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in health information technology (HIT), health information management (HIM) or health informatics (HI). Such programs prepare students with courses covering medical billing and coding procedures and provide aspiring Health Information Technicians with a clear understanding of how the electronic health recording systems and procedures operate. 

Post-secondary certificates and bachelor’s degrees usually include courses in health administration IT, medical terminology, health data requirements, e-business models, and classification & coding systems. Such courses provide students with a solid foundation in designing, using and integrating healthcare management systems. 

Aspiring Health Information Technicians would benefit from high school classes in health, biology, mathematics and computer science to gain admission into top universities for health information technology.

Earning a master’s degree in Health Informatics or health information management, presently the highest educational qualification in the field may help you advance quickly to supervisory and executive positions. Courses include management of electronic medical records, health information systems, and healthcare decision support analysis.

Certification demonstrates a Health Information Techncians’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Employers either hire certified Health Information Technicians or allow employees to become certified after being hired. Some certifications require professional coding experience. Certified specialists must renew their certification with continuing education courses to continually upskill their techniques. While specific certification requirements may vary across locations, successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career  progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. Health Information Technicians with bachelor’s or master’s degrees may advance to supervisory positions such as Medical or Health Managers.Health Information Technicians can also become freelancers if they have more experience and wish to have a flexible work schedule.

Health Information Technicians can also practise as a Nurse Assistant, Health Informatics Director, Health Informatics Consultant, Clinical Data Analyst, Nursing Informatics Specialist, Health Information Resource Manager, Health Information System Designer after completing the requisite courses and acquiring any necessary certification.

Candidates with the right exposure and skills in the field of Health Information Technology, acquired from internships and professional experience, have the best job prospects. Health Information Technicians with exceptional skills and a diploma, accompanied by certificates in required courses may excel in their career.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.

Freshly recruited Health Information Technicians work under the supervision of experienced professionals developing adequate knowledge and experience to take on greater responsibilities independently.

Earning a master’s degree in health informatics, currently the highest level of education for this field, may increase your scope of job responsibilities and independence in the workplace.

Acquiring relevant academic qualifications with training in personal patient care, infection prevention, vital signs, mental health, and other basic care and acquiring the necessary certification will enable Health Information Technicians to practise nursing.

Categories of Healthcare Information Technology

Broadly, there are two categories under healthcare information technology, namely medical practice management and electronic health/medical records (EHR/EMR). These categories are found in hospitals and physicians’ clinics and are useful for all types of providers of healthcare information.

Medical practice management refers to the software that helps manage the administrative and clinical aspects of the practice. It centralises systems to run the clinical system efficiently. It automates labour-intensive tasks in health information management, from organising appointments to verifying insurance.

Switching to the patient’s side, electronic health/medical records (EHR/EMR) focus on documenting and storing patients’ medical information. Electronic methods stemmed from the need to eliminate the time and errors associated with manually charting and storing patients’ medical data. Electronic records save health organisations money and space in storing paper documents and eliminate the risk of damaged or misplaced records. Further, facilities can repurpose space meant for storing medical documents. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Health Information Technicians have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Health Information Technician, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

In 2020, Epic and Cerner began an AI startup called Saykara that can hear and understand the physician-patient conversation, similar to digital assistants such as Alexa, but for the healthcare system.

Electronic storage of healthcare records is a growing and beneficial application of technology. By bridging the gap between healthcare services and the latest electronic tools and techniques available, Health Information Technicians deserve the title “the brains of modern medicine” since they manage and update its moving parts, from insurance codes to medical terminology, while filtering out unnecessary information. 

You must be curious about medical procedures and tech-savviness. Communicate clearly with teams of medical personnel and insurance providers and also with patients and their relatives. Break down complex medical procedures so that they can understand them better. Ease their minds into clarity and away from fear. The patient’s needs are always a step ahead of your own priorities.