Top 10 Health Information Technician Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a health information technician's job market. They demonstrate to employers that the individual is knowledgeable and competent in their field. Certifications also allow for better job opportunities, higher salaries, and increased credibility in the industry. Additionally, certifications show employers that the individual has taken the time to invest in their own professional development and has stayed up-to-date on changes within the health information technology field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Health Information Technicians, and explains how they can contribute to a health information technician's career.

What are Health Information Technician Certifications?

Health Information Technician Certification is a professional certification program designed to demonstrate mastery of the skills and knowledge required to be a competent health information technician. It is designed to help establish credibility, demonstrate expertise, and help employers identify qualified individuals for health information jobs. The certification is awarded by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The certification includes both a written exam and practical experience requirement. The written exam tests competency in areas such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, healthcare data management, privacy and security of patient health information, coding systems and classifications, laws related to healthcare data management, healthcare reimbursement systems, and computer technology applications. The practical experience requirement requires applicants to have completed at least one year of work experience in an accredited health information technician role within the last five years prior to applying for certification.

Having a Health Information Technician Certification can be beneficial in many ways. It can help individuals stand out among other job candidates vying for the same job or promotion opportunities. It also demonstrates commitment to continuing education in the field of health information technology which employers value highly when making hiring decisions. Additionally, having this certification can make it easier for employees to transition into different roles or locations since it indicates that they have already been trained in the necessary skillsets required for success in their chosen profession. Finally, holding this certification may qualify individuals for higher salaries since it is viewed as an indication of expertise and commitment in their chosen field.

Pro Tip: Make sure you are up-to-date on the latest health information technician certification requirements and regulations. Doing so will help ensure that you stay current in your field and can provide quality service to your patients.

Related: What does a Health Information Technician do?

Top 10 Health Information Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Health Information Technicians today.

1. Certified Health Information Technician (CHIT)

Certified Health Information Technician (CHIT) is a professional certification offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the field of health information technology.

To be eligible for CHIT certification, applicants must have either a high school diploma or GED, plus two years of full-time work experience in an accredited health information management program. Those without this experience can still qualify if they have completed at least one year of college coursework in health information technology.

The CHIT exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as medical coding, data analysis, legal issues, and privacy regulations. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $250 for AHIMA members and $400 for non-members.

Once certified, CHITs are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every two years. This ensures that they stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field of health information technology.

2. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the implementation, management, and maintenance of electronic health records (EHR). The CEHRS certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

The CEHRS certification requires applicants to pass a 160-question exam. The exam covers topics such as EHR systems, data security, privacy regulations, and workflow processes. The exam can be taken either online or in-person at an authorized testing center.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CEHRS exam. During this time, applicants should review study materials from the NHA and take practice exams to ensure they are prepared for the actual test.

To become certified as a CEHRS, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a high school diploma or equivalent degree; at least one year of experience working with EHRs; and completing an approved training program or course related to EHRs.

The cost of taking the CEHRS exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 USD to take the exam at an authorized testing center.

3. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional certification for individuals who work in the field of health information management. RHITs are responsible for managing patient health information, including medical records and coding data. They also use computer systems to store, analyze, and protect confidential patient information.

To become an RHIT, individuals must complete an accredited Associate degree program in Health Information Technology or a related field. The program typically takes two years to complete and includes courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding systems, health data management, and more. After completing the program, individuals must pass the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The RHIT exam costs $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members. Additionally, some states may require additional licensing fees or continuing education requirements.

Once certified as an RHIT, professionals can pursue higher-level roles such as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or Certified Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CCDIP).

4. Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)

A Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) is a healthcare professional who specializes in the collection, analysis and management of cancer patient data. CTRs are responsible for collecting and maintaining accurate information about cancer patients from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care. They use this information to develop comprehensive reports that help physicians make decisions about patient care.

To become a Certified Tumor Registrar, individuals must complete an accredited program in tumor registry science or have equivalent education and experience. After completing the program, they must pass the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) certification exam. The exam consists of four sections: Core Concepts; Data Collection & Management; Analysis & Reporting; and Professional Practice & Quality Assurance. It usually takes six months to two years to complete all requirements for certification.

The cost of becoming a CTR varies depending on the type of program chosen and whether any additional certifications are sought. Generally speaking, tuition for an accredited program can range from $2,000-$5,000 USD while the NCRA certification exam costs $250 USD per section ($1000 USD total).

5. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) is a professional credential that recognizes the expertise of individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in coding and billing for medical services. It is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and is one of the most widely recognized coding certifications in the healthcare industry.

To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in coding and/or billing, pass an exam, and meet certain educational requirements. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding systems, reimbursement methodologies, health data management, and legal aspects of health information.

The certification process typically takes several months to complete. Applicants must register with AHIMA prior to taking the exam and submit a completed application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or proof of work experience. Once approved for testing, applicants can schedule their exam date through Pearson VUE testing centers.

The cost for the CCS certification varies depending on whether you are an AHIMA member or non-member. For members, it costs $299; for non-members it costs $399 plus an additional $50 application fee.

6. Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to provide medical auditors with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform comprehensive medical audits.

The CPMA certification requires successful completion of an exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as medical coding, billing, reimbursement, compliance, documentation, and audit principles. The exam also includes a practical component in which the candidate must review and analyze actual medical records.

The exam is offered at various locations throughout the United States and typically takes about four hours to complete. Candidates may take the exam online or in person at a testing center.

To be eligible for the CPMA certification, candidates must have two years of experience as a professional coder or auditor and must pass an eligibility test administered by AAPC prior to taking the CPMA exam. Additionally, candidates must pay an application fee and an examination fee before they can take the exam. The application fee varies depending on when it is submitted; however, it typically ranges from $50-$100 USD. The examination fee is $399 USD for members of AAPC and $499 USD for non-members.

Once all requirements have been met, candidates should expect to receive their official CPMA certificate within 4-6 weeks after passing their exam.

7. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a certification program that is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and mastery of the principles of healthcare quality. This certification is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) and provides a way for healthcare professionals to demonstrate their commitment to quality improvement.

The CPHQ requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as patient safety, quality management, risk management, and data analysis. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CPHQ exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in healthcare quality or a related field. Applicants must also complete an application form and submit it along with supporting documentation such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other evidence of experience.

The cost of taking the CPHQ exam varies depending on whether or not you are a member of NAHQ. For non-members, the cost is $450 USD; for members, it is $350 USD. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive a certificate from NAHQ that recognizes your achievement as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

8. Certified Healthcare Privacy & Security Practitioner (CHPSP)

Certified Healthcare Privacy & Security Practitioner (CHPSP) is a professional certification program offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). The CHPSP certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare privacy and security regulations, standards, and best practices.

The CHPSP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as HIPAA regulations, information security risk management, data protection, privacy laws, and other related topics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CHPSP certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in healthcare privacy and security or have completed a HIMSS-approved training course. The cost of the exam is $395 for members of HIMSS and $495 for non-members.

9. Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+)

Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM). It is designed to provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of document imaging technology, including scanning, indexing, storage, retrieval, and output. This certification is intended for those who are responsible for designing and implementing document imaging systems.

The CDIA+ certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as: document imaging fundamentals, image capture technologies, image processing techniques, document management systems, workflow automation, and system integration. The exam is administered by Prometric Testing Centers.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CDIA+ exam. AIIM offers study materials to help prospective candidates prepare for the exam. These materials include practice tests and online courses.

The cost of the CDIA+ exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States it costs $450 USD; in Canada it costs $500 CAD; and in Europe it costs €400 EURO.

10. AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer Certification

AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer Certification is a certification program offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for healthcare professionals who wish to become certified ICD-10 trainers. This certification is designed to equip trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully train healthcare professionals on the use of ICD-10 codes.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person workshop. The online course provides an overview of ICD-10 coding, including its history, purpose, structure, and implementation guidelines. The in-person workshop focuses on teaching techniques and strategies for delivering effective ICD-10 training sessions.

The certification process takes approximately six months to complete. The cost of the program varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $1,500-$2,000 USD. In order to obtain AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer Certification, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least three years of experience in coding or health information management and passing a background check. Once these criteria are met, applicants can register for the program through AHIMA’s website.

Do You Really Need a Health Information Technician Certificate?

Yes, I believe a Health Information Technician Certificate is necessary for anyone looking to pursue a career in the health information technology field. With the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, it is important to stay up to date on the most relevant technologies and procedures. A certificate allows you to become knowledgeable in the specific areas of health information technology that are applicable to your chosen career, as well as demonstrate your commitment to being an expert in the field.

A Health Information Technician Certificate will also provide you with the skills and knowledge required for successful job performance. It not only covers topics such as medical coding and billing, but also includes courses related to patient records management, data analysis, and other important aspects of health information technology. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates who have completed their certification program over those without any formal training or experience in this field.

Furthermore, having a Health Information Technician Certificate can help you gain access to higher paying positions within the industry. Since employers often look for highly qualified professionals when hiring for high-level positions, having a certification can give you an edge over other applicants who lack such credentials. This demonstrates that you have taken additional steps towards becoming an expert in your chosen field and are committed to staying current with advancements in health information technology.

In conclusion, obtaining a Health Information Technician Certificate is essential for anyone looking to pursue a career in this rapidly growing field. Not only does it provide you with relevant skills and knowledge about health information technology but can also open doors for more lucrative job opportunities. Therefore, if you are serious about entering this profession then obtaining a certificate should be at the top of your list!

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FAQs About Health Information Technician Certifications

1. What is a Health Information Technician Certification?

Answer: A Health Information Technician Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and competence in the field of health information technology. This certification is offered by various organizations, such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Health Information Technician Certification?

Answer: The requirements vary depending on which organization offers the certification, but generally require passing an exam and having relevant work experience or education in the field.

3. How long does it take to obtain a Health Information Technician Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain a Health Information Technician Certification depends on your level of experience and preparation for the exam. Generally, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all the requirements needed for certification.

4. What are some of the benefits of having a Health Information Technician Certification?

Answer: Having a Health Information Technician Certification can open up many opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries in the health information technology field as well as help you stand out from other job applicants when applying for jobs. Additionally, this certification may also provide access to advanced training programs and other resources that may be beneficial in your career development.

5. How much does it cost to get a Health Information Technician Certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Health Information Technician Certification varies depending on which organization you choose to receive your certification from and any additional training or materials you may need to purchase in order to successfully pass the exam. Generally, these certifications range anywhere from $100-$500 USD depending on what is included with each program.