Career Overview
Entry Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Patient Interaction
Moderate
Body Fluid Interaction
Low
Salary
$32,300
Job Growth
15.40%
Job Description:
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Process, maintain, compile, and report patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the healthcare industry's numerical coding system.
What Medical Records and Health Information Technician Do:
Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data. They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files 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 patientsÂ’ medical and treatment histories.
How to Become One:
Earn a certificate in medical technology (MT), which takes three to six months, or a 2-year associate degree in medical technology or health information management (HIM); HIM programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates of an accredited associate degree program are then qualified to take a certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), www.ahima.org, to earn the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) designation.
Schools
Monongalia County Technical Education Center
New River Community And Technical College – Nicholas County Campus
Roane-Jackson Technical Center
Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College
West Virginia Junior College – Bridgeport