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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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