Attention all aspiring healthcare professionals! Are you looking to join the exciting and rapidly growing medical records and health information management field? Look no further because this article is your ultimate guide to becoming a successful Medical Records and Health Information Technician. With the ever-increasing demand for skilled workers, now is the perfect time to take advantage of career opportunities that promote excellent professional growth, lucrative salaries, and meaningful work, helping people maintain their best health. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about starting your fantastic journey toward becoming a Medical Records and Health Information Technician today!
What is a Medical Records and Health Information Technician?
Medical records and health information technicians manage and organize patient medical records. They may also communicate with patients and their physicians about their medical status. To become a medical records and health information technician, you will need a medical records or information technology degree, along with field experience.
Education Requirements
To become a medical records and health information technician, you will likely need a postsecondary certificate or degree in health information technology. Additionally, you will need certification in an appropriate field, such as computer science or health informatics. Many employers also require experience in the healthcare industry.
Certification and Licensing
Becoming a Medical Records and Health Information Technician
There are many ways to become a medical records and health information technician. Some employers may require certification and licensure. In addition, more advanced training may be required to become an expert in a particular field. The following is a list of the most common paths to becoming a medical record and health information technician:
1) Certifications and Licensure
Most medical records and health information technicians hold certification from one of the various organizations that provide accreditation for the field. These organizations include the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), National Healthcare Information Management Association (NHIMA), and the Canadian Healthcare Information Management Association (CHIMA). Training requirements vary from organization to organization, but most programs require at least 1,000 hours of clinical work experience. In addition, most programs require completion of an accredited health information administration program.
One standard certification route is to earn a certificate from an organization like AHIMA or NHIMA. These certificates typically require 10–12 weeks of full-time study and provide detailed knowledge of specific aspects of medical record management, including electronic health records (EHRs), secure coding applications, data inspections, privacy policies, etc. After successfully completing the certification program, you must pass an evaluation administered by either AHIMA or NHIMA. Certification alone is not enough to work as medical records and health information technician; you must also obtain a license
Job Description
Medical records and health information technicians help manage, track, and store healthcare information. They may work in hospitals, labs, physician offices, or other medical facilities. Medical records and health information technicians must have strong typing and editing skills and knowledge of computers. They also need excellent communication and record-keeping skills.
The Average Salary of a Medical Records and Health Information Technician
The average salary of a medical records and health information technician is $36,830 per year. payscale.com reports that the highest-paid medical records and health information technicians earn over $59,000. However, the lowest-paid medical records and health information technicians earn only $21,710 annually.
How to Get Started as a Medical Records and Health Information Technician
Working as a medical records and health information technician is a rewarding career that provides opportunities to help people in need. There are many different ways to become a medical records and health information technician, and the right path for you depends on your qualifications and experience.
Research the field and look for accredited programs to train you to meet the standards needed to be a successful medical records and health information technician. Once you have completed an accredited program, seek employment opportunities in your area of expertise.
If you have experience working with computers, software applications, or databases, this will be valuable when searching for medical records and health information technician jobs. Pire employment opportunities often require certifications from organizations like the National Healthcare Information Systems Certification Board (NHISCB). Additionally, many employers prefer technicians with experience in Medicare billing or electronic recordkeeping.
Once you have established yourself as a competent healthcare worker, continue developing your skills by taking courses focusing on new technologies or storage and retrieval methods. Stay up-to-date on current trends so that you can provide the best service possible to your patients.
