What does a Health Information Technician do?
Published 3 min read
A Health Information Technician is responsible for maintaining and organizing patient health information. They may also be responsible for coding medical diagnoses and procedures.
Health Information Technician job duties include:
- Maintain confidentiality of patient information
- Organize and manage health information data
- Collect and analyze patient data
- Code diagnoses and procedures
- Abstract clinical information from medical records
- Prepare reports on patient health information
- Monitor compliance with healthcare regulations
- Train other healthcare staff on proper recordkeeping
- Assist in research projects involving health information
- Manage databases of patient health information
Health Information Technician Job Requirements
A Health Information Technician typically has an Associate's degree in health information technology, although some jobs may require a Bachelor's degree. Many employers also require certification, such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Some employers may also require experience in a healthcare setting.
Health Information Technician Skills
- Record keeping
- Data entry
- Medical coding
- Health information management
- Electronic health records
- Clinical classification systems
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Statistics
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How to become a Health Information Technician
A Health Information Technician (HIT) is a professional who helps to ensure that the medical records of patients are accurate and up to date. They may work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office, and their duties may include transcribing doctors’ notes, entering data into electronic health records, and coding diagnoses and procedures.
To become a Health Information Technician, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited HIT program. These programs typically take two years to complete and include coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health information management, and computer science.
Once you have completed an accredited HIT program, you will need to pass a national certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). After passing this exam, you will be credentialed as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Some states also require HITs to obtain a license.
If you are interested in becoming a Health Information Technician, start by researching accredited HIT programs near you. Once you have completed an accredited program and passed the national certification exam, you will be well on your way to beginning a rewarding career in healthcare!
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