Allied Health

Health Information Technology

Associate of Applied Science • 64 Credit Hours

Health information technicians are the professionals responsible for maintaining components of health information systems in a manner consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.

2 Year Degree

Health Information Technology A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science 

67 Credit Hours

1 Year Certificate

Healthcare Data Management

Certificate of Applied Science

40 Credit Hours

Providing specialized skills in Health Information Technology.

The health information technician may be responsible for functional supervision of the various components of the health information systems including the electronic record and the data that it includes.

Professionals holding the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential are health information technicians who:

  • Ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
  • Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
  • Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for RHITs is cancer registrars – compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.

 

With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor’s degree.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Retention rates in program- 85%
  • Employer satisfaction rates overall – 100%
  • Graduation rates -85%

Program Outcomes based on 2019-2020 academic year.

The HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT accreditor of Mountwest Community and Technical College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for ASSOCIATE degree in HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT has been reaffirmed through 2026. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org. 2027-28

QUICK FACTS

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

2019 Median Pay
$40,350 per year

Number of Jobs
215,500 in 2018

Job Outlook
2018-2028 11%

Much faster than average employment.

For the most current salary information, please refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Outlook Handbook” found online at bls.gov/ooh/.

Admission Requirements

The college adheres to an open admission policy which means applications with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. Applicants with neither a high school diploma nor GED may be admitted on a conditional basis.

Potential Employers

  • Office-based physician practices
  • Nursing homes
  • Home health agencies
  • Mental health facilities
  • Public health agencies

Career Outlook: projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028

Health information technicians work in a wide variety of settings including acute, ambulatory, and long-term care facilities, state and local health departments, insurance companies, rehabilitation centers, and physician’s offices.

Employment of medical records and health information technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

An aging population will require more medical services, and health information technicians will be needed to organize and manage the older generations’ health information data. This will mean more claims for reimbursement from insurance companies.

Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) by all types of healthcare providers, will lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

Want to learn more about this program?
Interested in learning more about the MCTC program? Send us a message and talk to our program coordinator.
Janet Smith, MS, RHIA,CCS, CMA-AAMA
Health Information Technology Program Director

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