Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
What Medical Records and Health Information Technicians Do
Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred
to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information
data. They ensure its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper
and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and
categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes,
for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’
medical and treatment histories.
Employment of health information techniciansis projected to grow 22
percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all
occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase
as the population ages. Health information technicians need to be able
to discuss patient information and discrepancies with other professionals such as
physicians and insurance personnel.
Health information technicians held
about 186,300 jobs in 2012.
Most health information
technicians work in hospitals or
physicians’ offices. How to Become a
Medical Records or
Health Information Technician
Health information technicians typically
need a postsecondary certificate
to enter the occupation, although
they may have an associate’s degree.
Many employers also require professional certification.
The median annual wage for health information technicians was $34,160 in May 2012.