Ready to apply now?Apply free using the application waiver NOWFREE. The job outlook for health information technology is also exceptionally good. Analytically adept. Only 30 students are accepted each year to this competitive program which requires a 3.0 high school GPA, grades of B or higher in math, biology, computer applications, and English as well as a criminal background check. It will prepare you to work as a health information technician. To become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), you’ll need to earn an associate degree at minimum in health information management (HIM). Rachel Drummond is a freelance writer, educator, and yogini from Oregon. Learn what daily life looks like for health service coordinators, and how WGU prepares you for this career. Recertification of the RHIT and other credentials is required to keep up with changes in the industry. Becoming a Health Information Technician. Today’s health information technicians are tomorrow’s health information managers. Business Administration. You'll need a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a postsecondary … WGU is an accredited online university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Based in Orlando, Florida, Valencia College’s two-year, fully online associate of science program in health information technology prepares students to enter the workforce with training in coding and reimbursement, including how to keep patient data private and secure. Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN to-MSN Program) – M.S. Located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College’s health information technology program is fully online and takes two years to complete. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians. Certified, non-degreed Health information technicians earn around $37,000 annually. This might seem like a given, but it can’t hurt to reiterate this key attribute. Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) exam. In healthcare, even the smallest of details can impact a patient. Have excellent communication skills. Since there may be variations in scale and patient make-up—whether a person works for a medical center, a group of doctors, a mental health facility, or even in a bureaucratic capacity—an ability to be able to adapt to different circumstances and conditions is also crucial. Also, students currently in a recognized academic program can enroll to take the exam early if they’re in their final term. She’s taught English to international university students in the United States and Japan for more than a decade and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon. English Language Learning (PreK–12) – M.A. If you’re ready to take the first step toward becoming an RHIT, visit the Rasmussen College Health Information Technician program page. A health information management associate’s degree is sufficient for entry-level positions. Lakeland’s program boasts a 93 percent pass rate on the RHIT exam and aims to prepare its graduates to demonstrate entry-level competencies in health information management. Many health information professionals opt for certifications such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), which both require passing a national exam. You will need an associate degree from a community college or online distance learning program in order to pursue this career path. RHITs are key in making sure all patient data remains in the right place where the right people can access it electronically when they need it—and the wrong people can’t. These programs include coursework in computer science, medical coding, medical billing, healthcare reimbursement methods and healthcare statistics. WGU’s program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM-accredited). Healthcare management careers are a natural fit for job seekers with business degrees. Detail oriented. Member price: $2 29 ; Eligibility for Early Testing. Most employers prefer to hire registered or certified medical records technicians. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S. Pass the appropriate AHIMA certification exam and … Typical admissions requirements include: These programs generally include coursework in: To learn more about what to expect from a health information technology program, please check out the three examples below or the Guide to Accredited HIT Programs. Step 2: Earn a CAHIIM-Accredited Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management or a Related Discipline (Two to Four Years). Later you can become a new graduate member, also at a discounted rate. To perform their jobs well, HITs need to know the terminology and processes that come with the territory. Finally, all certified RHITs must maintain their AHIMA credential by completing 20 qualifying continuing education units (CEUs) every two years, including five hours of coding self-reviews. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A. As of December 2020, there are no formal state licensure requirements for RHITs. Entry-level health information technicians with associate degrees can advance to leadership roles by earning a bachelor’s degree. The BLS (2020) adds that RHITs can specialize their skills, joining one of two subfields of the discipline: While the pathway to becoming an RHIT varies by region and experience, here is one possible way to join this growing profession: Aspiring RHITs are strongly encouraged to excel in computer science, health, biology, math, and English courses, which will be the most relevant to their future occupation. In today’s digital environment, however, registered health information technicians (RHITs) actually manage the information behind all medical decisions, insurance disbursements, and service referrals, ensuring the continuity of care. You can find HIM programs at many universities, community colleges, and career and technical schools. Special Education (Mild-to-Moderate) – B.A. Science Education (Secondary Physics) – M.A. Lastly, there is a variety of CAHIIM-accredited schools around the country to prepare aspiring RHITs for the credentialing, including online and on-campus training programs. Of course, not everyone who moves patient files around digitally is an RHIT; it’s an official title that must be earned by completing an approved academic program and passing an exam from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the predominant national certification organization in this line of work. Because with these on your résumé, you’re bound to stand out more to potential employers. Cancer registrars review pathology reports for accuracy; assign classification codes for treatment and diagnosis; plan annual follow-ups; gather data for research; and maintain appropriate databases of cancer patients. Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S. Certification is often required. You're in charge of your college education—but you're never alone. Doctors may believe they’re the top dogs; after at least a decade studying the science of healing, their names adorn doors and parking places, and they’re the ones with whom patients make appointments. Apply to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. This CAHIIM-accredited program prepares graduates in essential skills such as medical coding, the handling of electronic medical records and electronic health records, and healthcare data analysis and revenue models. As a healthcare information technician, you’ll feel good knowing that you are helping deliver the crucial data healthcare providers need to function optimally. She writes about this topic among others on her blog (Instagram: @oregon_yogini). Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – M.A. We're emailing you the app fee waiver code and other information about getting your degree from WGU. HITs are trained in analyzing medical records and patient diagnoses, among other situations that require a critical eye. As stated above, to qualify for professional credentialing, all aspiring RHITs must graduate from a recognized two- to four-year program in health information management or a related discipline. These programs generally provide preparation for the comprehensive RHIT exam. Industry knowledgeable. The Basics. Health Information Technicians: Handle sensitive patient information: health history, … Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – B.A. Health IT is a fast-paced field that often requires you to think on your feet. Nurses may say that they’re actually the ones who get the job done, putting in more time with patients than physicians and recording medical information. Most health information technicians work full-time. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Health Information Technician (Associate's), Health Information Management (Bachelor's), Health Informatics (Post-Master's Certificate), 2020 Health Tech Innovations: IoT & Data Privacy, Accredited Online Health Information Technology Degree Programs, How to Become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Interview with an Expert: How Patient Data Use and Collection Have Evolved. The annual maintenance fee is $25 for NCRA members and $105 for non-members. To qualify for the exam, candidates need to have completed at least an associate’s degree from a CAHIIM-accredited program, or a foreign program recognized by AHIMA. Discover why you should pursue a healthcare management degree to get a career you’ll love. Candidates who have an undergraduate degree in a different field, or who completed their training in another country must complete bridging courses to become a health information technician. This exam costs about $300 to apply for, and you can gain membership in the American Health Information Management Association upon completion of certification. While not directly involved with patient care, this registered health information technician role is vital to the health care system because RHITs organize and manage valuable health information data—and lots of it. All necessary credentialing Licensure ) – M.S health Informatics and information on to. To think on your résumé, you ’ re ready to take first. 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