Best Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician colleges in the U.S. 2024

Students that pursue a career in health information technology study how computers and networks work in tandem to maintain essential hospital functions like the transfer of patient data, and the relaying of prescriptions from doctors to pharmacists. A degree in health Information technology provides the foundational skills needed to work at a hospital, medical clinic, or dental office to ensure their systems are running properly and addressing any bugs that could impede these processes.

Students can apply to a range of degree programs offered online that provide varying levels of academic rigor. For those that look to enter the workplace soon, an online Associate in Healthcare Management can be a great first step toward a promising career path. These programs are offered asynchronously and provide a level of flexibility for working professionals or those that are trying to complete their degree from home.

Many high school graduates opt to enroll in four-year bachelor’s programs to gain relevant skills needed to excel in the field. These programs allow for increased student-teacher interaction and can allow students the opportunity to collaborate virtually with their fellow peers in break-out sessions and online tutorials. Some degree options include a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management or a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Informatics.

Many working professionals choose to pursue online master’s programs in the healthcare information technology field to further their chances of landing competitive roles in the field. Online master’s programs typically last from one to two years and provide ample opportunities for students to interact with faculty members and peers. Given the digital nature of this program, taking online classes is a great way to bolster one’s understanding of information technology from a healthcare lens.

As a doctorate-level student in healthcare information technology, students can anticipate spending from four to six years in an academic setting working closely with faculty members in their department on research and development. Often these same connections prove to be beneficial for graduates looking to capitalize on their networks to further their career aspirations. Most degree programs require a student to complete a dissertation and defense, which many students choose to publish upon completion in relevant academic journals.

There are a variety of certificates that students can take to boost their resumes and acquire marketable skills in a short period of time, and some certificates within the healthcare information technology sector include but are not limited to:

1. HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner certification
2. Certified Health Data Analyst certificate

These courses condense coursework and prepare students to pass exit exams upon completion.

A degree in health information technology gives students the skills they need to secure roles in hospitals and clinics as medical billing specialists or IT generalists. Information exchange is a critical process within the medical profession, and health information technology specialists work to ensure that these transfers of information are uninterrupted so that doctors' and nurses' directions are captured and stored online. 

Information technology can be applied outside of clinical settings and can be found in the pharmaceutical and physical therapy sector as well. Pharmacists and therapists rely on information exchange to keep track of their patients' progress and to determine their dosage when administering a prescription.

There are a wide variety of career options for those interested in entering the healthcare information technology sector. Some roles include Health Information Specialists, which according to BLS gross an average of $45,000 annually, while Computer Systems and Information Managers can earn up to $150,000.

Due to the computer-based needs of a health information technology specialist, many degree programs are offered online. While in-person interaction and collaboration prove to be critical to a graduate's professional trajectory, getting an online degree can impart the tangible skills needed to enter this professional field. It is understandable that prospective students are attracted to the added flexibility of working from home and given the prevalence of online programs, this approach is very feasible.

• What does health information technology do?
  • Health information technologists work in hospitals and other medical settings to ensure that  patient care and security are maintained through the implementation and maintenance of health information systems like electronic medical records.
• Is health information technology a good career?
  • Health information technology is in high demand, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that roles in the medical records and health information sector will increase up to 8% in the next ten years.
• Are medical coders in demand?
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding is one of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the United States. These roles provide job security, work-life balance, and healthy income for working professionals.