How To Get A Job As A Medical Records And Health Information Technician
There is a growing demand for qualified Medical Record and Health Information Technicians. The work of Technicians helps to improve the quality of health care while controlling costs.
Medical Records and Health Technicians work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and for home health care services. They work in clean, comfortable, well-lit surroundings. They usually work a regular forty hour week, although some overtime may be necessary. A few Technicians work in shifts.
Although they have little contact with patients themselves, Medical Records And Health Information Technicians are a vital part of the health care system. They must be able to work as part of a team, have good written and oral skills, be well organized, discreet, and detail oriented. They must have good computer skills and have good communication skills as they must interact with physicians, other health care professionals, and insurance company personnel. Medical Records And Health Information Technicians must be familiar with all the software essential in the collection, organizing and analyzing of medical data.
The duties of individual Medical Records And Health Information Technicians may vary depending on the size of the facility in which they are employed. Technicians in larger facilities may choose to specialize.
Medical Records And Health Information Technicians gather and organize every facet of patients’ medical histories including appointments, symptoms, complaints, medical tests, laboratory results, treatments, and all service providers. Information must be exact, well organized, and accessible. If necessary, information will be corrected and updated by the Technician. A specific code is assigned to each diagnosis and procedure. Information collected determines the amount the hospital or other facility will be reimbursed by patient insurance programs.
EDUCATION
During high school, it is advisable to take courses such things as in mathematics, biology, chemistry, health, and computer sciences.
Medical Record And Health Information Technicians require at least a two year Associates’ degree. These two year programs cover such subjects as the legal aspects of health information, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, coding, data base management, and statistics. These programs are offered by community and junior colleges.
Employers generally prefer to hire those that have have been certified by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To become certified, you must have obtained your Associate’s degree and then pass a written exam. Certification will lead to higher salaries and greater opportunities for advancement.
With further education and experience, Medical Record And Health Information Technicians can advance to positions in management and education.
