Electronic Health Reporter

Health information technology is a booming industry with so much potential for growth. Naturally, IT services have continued to become more and more important to this industry as time goes on. Health information technicians are the ones who ensure that the information technology infrastructure of a healthcare organization is stable, secure, and up-to-date. They also manage the software that makes it all possible.

The demand for health IT technicians is on the rise, so if you’re considering a career in healthcare or just want to be part of an exciting new field, health IT might be right for you.

The Growing Demand for Health Information Technicians

Health IT technicians are the backbone of the healthcare industry. They are the ones who ensure that the information technology infrastructure of a healthcare organization is stable, secure, and up-to-date.

Health information technicians also manage the software that makes it all possible. This includes software for electronic medical records, patient portals, patient care management, and more.

Health information technology is a growing and highly in-demand profession. In fact, there is a huge demand for health IT technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of health IT technicians is expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030, with as many as 34,300 job openings per year.

You can enroll online in health information technology programs and find a curriculum that offers a flexible schedule, giving you the training you need to enter this career, while still maintaining a job and social life.

What is the Role of a Health Information Technology Technician?

Health information technicians (HITs) have a variety of tasks on a daily basis, but they all have one thing in common: they are essential to the healthcare industry. Health information technicians have a large impact on a patient’s experience, from billing and diagnosis tracking, to patient information management and test results.

All of this information is managed using electronic healthcare records (EHRs), so it’s important that the technicians who work with these systems are knowledgeable in medical terminology, classification of disease coding, pharmacology, and other core skills that are taught during the course of a program.

Health information technicians must also follow data security practices outlined by HIPAA, as well as HIPAA-compliant security protocols. This is to ensure that EHRs don’t fall into the wrong hands, and that patient information is protected.

Education Requirements and Salary

Exact requirements may vary between healthcare facilities, but the position of a healthcare technology technician typically requires:

• A two-year Associate Degree
• Completion of a core course
• A general education course

Overall, it takes between two to four years to become a health information technician, but once education is completed, finding an entry-level position is relatively easy in the current and projected job market.

The average salary for a health information technician is around $51,040 per year, though this varies by city and state. In highly urban areas where demand is higher, so is the salary.

Why get into the health information technology field?

Health information technology is an exciting field. It can be a rewarding career, with a variety of benefits, both personal and altruistic. For starters, HITs have the opportunity to lower healthcare costs for patients, by identifying processes in their healthcare organization that can be improved.

Health information technology also allows for improved patient care. By streamlining the process of patient care, health information technology can help reduce the time between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and their treatment.

There is also much room for career advancement and vertical promotions into leadership positions within a healthcare organization. With these promotions come higher salaries, benefits, and more opportunities for advancement.