Add Value to Your Career: Getting Started in the Health Information Technology Field
By J. Harp, Medical Transcription Instructor
Job Outlook
Working in health information technology is a great way to enter the workforce in the growing healthcare industry. A health information technician is a unique job in healthcare, because it is one of the few jobs that does not involve direct personal care. These workers operate in the area of medical records. They manage and organize medical data, ensuring the accuracy and the security of them.
Because health records are increasingly kept electronically, this position will continue to grow and be in high demand. To work as a health information technician, you need sharp software and computer skills. You will also need good communication skills, as you will be in regular contact with other healthcare workers to make clarifications and obtain recent information. Many of the skills acquired by way of medical transcription mirror a position as a health information technician. Additionally, this job is perfect for those interested in working in healthcare on the technology or informational side.
The median annual salary for a health info tech was $30,610 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The highest ten percent can earn over $50,000. Another bonus for this job is the excellent projections for growth. The BLS projects this to grow by 20% through 2018. The stronger your technical skills, the better your outlook is in this field. Again, according to BLS, there is also room for advancement within health information technology in management.
Training and Education
You will need an associate degree from either a community college or an online distance learning program in order to pursue this career path. Courses that you take will cover the tech side, such as database security, data analysis, coding and classification systems, and information management. Coursework will also cover the medical side, such as medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. Any additional training in science or computer science would boost your competitive edge. Continuing your education through Blackstone’s online certificate programs will also be important by keeping you up-to-date on the latest industry standards. The technology in this industry, as well as medicine in general, is always changing. Through Blackstone’s online medical transcription course and various online healthcare certificate programs, our faculty and staff ensure that you will be ahead of the curve by understanding the latest and most efficient systems in healthcare.
First Steps
A transition from medical transcription training to Health Information Tech, in some cases, may happen within the organization you start with. While working as a cardiology medical transcriptionist for a year, and after reviewing and analyzing the process of the work within the cardiology practice, I was able to work with office management to create a new position within the transcription department. This allowed me to take on additional responsibility and improve the transcription to posting process within the cardiology office.
About Blackstone:
Are you ready to enhance your Medical Transcription career?
Blackstone Career Institute offers a wide variety of online courses with certificates, including a comprehensive, online Medical Transcription program. Receive advice, guidance, and support from our experienced faculty and staff. Let Blackstone prepare you for your new career, today! Contact us directly at (800) 826-9228 to learn more and enhance your education with Blackstone!
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