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What is a health information technician?
Health information technicians work in hospitals,
ambulatory health care facilities, physician offices, industrial clinics,
state and federal health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, insurance
and consulting agencies, and in other areas where patient or health data is
maintained. They perform technical functions, such as evaluating health
records and reports for accuracy and completeness; compiling ,
interpreting, and utilizing hospital and health care statistics; coding,
diseases, and operations according to a recognized classification system;
assisting with medical facility committee procedures; releasing
confidential information in accordance with legal requirements; processing
patient claims and bills; abstracting and retrieving medical information; and
often performing as first-line supervisors. Students in the
curriculum are required to earn a grade of " C" or better in each
health information course before being allowed to proceed to the next.
Find out more about being a health information technician, click here
How does this program prepare me for a career?
The associate of applied science degree program
provides students with an opportunity to sit for the RHIT and/or CCA
national accreditation exams. Students take lecture and lab courses as well
as clinical courses in affiliated hospital and other health care health
information departments in the metropolitan area. Students are able to seek
employment during the day, since courses are offered during the evening and
online.
What professions can I expect to enter after
completing this program?
HIM professionals enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and
options for professional growth. Based on your skills, education and
interests, job titles may include:
·
Health Data
Analyst
·
Insurance Claims
Specialist
·
Records Technician
Specialist
·
Clinical Coding
Specialist
·
Physician Practice
Manager
·
Patient
Information Coordinator
·
TUMOR Registrar
·
HIM Department
Supervisor
·
Data Quality
Manager
·
HIM Systems
Analyst
HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the
healthcare industry, from hospitals, to physician offices to insurance
agencies. For more information about HIM professionals in the
workplace,
click here.
What is the employment outlook for the next
decade?
HIM professionals can expect to be in high demand as the health
sector expands into the next century. In fact, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics cites health information technology as one of the 20 fastest
growing occupations in the US.
On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await
health information technology graduates. More than half of new
graduates with an associate’s degree start with salaries in the
$35,000 to $45,000 range. By five years out, a credentialed health
information professional can earn upwards of $55,000 - $85,000
annually. And these figures are just averages – many HIM
professionals report salaries higher than average. To see the results
of AHIMA’s latest member salary and profile survey, click here.
Is this program accredited or certified?
The program is accredited by the
Commission on the Accreditation for Health
Informatics and Information Management Education(CAAHIIM) in
cooperation with the American Health
Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Whom do I contact for more information?
Contact Professor Sue Meiskey, Takoma Park, HIT Program Coordinator, by
telephone at (240) 567-5519 or by email at sue.meiskey@montgomerycollege.edu.
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