13 May 2019

What does a medical record and health information technician do?

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data. They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.

What types of duties does a health information technician perform?

  • Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data
  • Organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries
  • Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
  • Use classification software to assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement and data analysis
  • Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records
  • and more!

Health information technicians can specialize in many aspects of health information. Some work as medical coders, sometimes called coding specialists.  Medical coders typically do the following:

  • Review patient information for preexisting conditions, such as diabetes, so patient data can be coded properly
  • Assign appropriate diagnoses and procedure codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing purposes
  • Work as a liaison between the healthcare providers and billing offices

Where do health information technicians work?

  • Hospitals
  • Physicians’ offices
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Administrative support & services offices

How much does a health information technician earn?

According the to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a Medical Records & Health Information Technician is $40,350* a year.

* Median annual wages, May 2018

Does a career as a medical records & health information technician interest you?

If so, Medical Coding classes are offered at the Fostoria Learning Center via Terra State Community College. To find out more, contact the Fostoria Learning Center:

Online: www.fostorialearningcenter.org/contact
Phone: 419-408-5540
In-Person: 342 Perry Street, Fostoria, OH 44830

Classes are held at the Fostoria Learning Center.