Health Information Management Systems Overview

Every time a patient receives health care, a record is maintained of the observations, medical or surgical interventions, and treatment. This record includes information that the patient provides concerning his or her symptoms and medical history, the results of examinations, reports of x-rays and laboratory tests, diagnoses, and treatment plans.

Medical records and health information technicians organize and evaluate these records for completeness and accuracy. Some medical records and health information technicians specialize in coding patients’ medical information for insurance purposes. Because accuracy is essential in their jobs, technicians must pay close attention to detail.

Recent regulations enacted by the federal government require that all health care providers maintain electronic patient records and that these records be secure. As a result, those who are employed in health information technology must keep up with current computer and software technology and with legislative requirements.

In addition to general education, coursework includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health information, health data standards, coding and abstraction of data, statistics, database management, quality improvement methods, and computer science. Applicants can improve their chances of admission into a program by taking biology, math, chemistry, health, and computer science courses in high school.

Students with this degree can expect a median salary of $26,000 to $32,000, depending on type and size of facility, level of responsibility and geographic region.

Health Information Technology

SMC’s School of Business offers an associate in applied science degree in health information technology. Individuals who want a career in health care, but who don’t want to work directly with patients, will find health information technology a good career fit. Health care is one of the top career fields where faster than average job growth is expected.

Students will learn how to assemble patients’ health information, making sure the patients’ initial medical charts are complete, that all forms are completed and properly identified and authenticated, and that all necessary information is in the computer. Graduates from the health information technology program will be eligible to take the national examination to become certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Most employers prefer to hire individuals who are RHIT certified who have completed a two-year associate degree program, such as SMC’s, that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Medical Billing & Coding

SMC’s School of Business also offers a one-year certification in medical billing and coding. Students can earn their certification and continue on to receive an associate in applied science degree in health information technology.

Hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, and health maintenance organizations depend on insurance reimbursement for the services they render. Individuals who possess the skills necessary to accurately and consistently code and bill according to federal and state guidelines are in great demand.