| What is Health Information Technology? |
Health information management technology involves the processing of all types of health information, and focuses on legal, accreditation, licensure and certification standards. HIMT involves reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research. Graduates may work in hospitals, in doctor’s offices, for healthcare vendors, or for government and non-profit agencies. Learn more about the career at www.ahima.org. |
| General Admission Application Process |
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required. Students must be accepted into Gwinnett Tech prior to applying to a program of study.
- Applicants are initially accepted into the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program while completing the required prerequisite courses.
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| Program Application Process |
- All applicants are required to submit a Health Information Management Technology program packet by the file completion deadline. The Health Information Management Technology program packets are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/
- For fall semester admission, the program application and all prerequisites must be completed by July 24.
- For spring semester admission, the program application and all prerequisites must be completed by November 16.
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| Prerequisite Courses |
All of the following: |
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| Additional Required Courses |
One of the following: |
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FYES 1000 - First Year Experience Seminar – preferred this course be taken prior to program start date but can be taken during the first semester in the program. Transfer students with 30 or more transferable credit hours will be exempt from taking the FYES 1000 course. *Courses may not be more than 5 years old at time of program application. |
| Competitive Admissions |
Admissions for the Health Information Technology program is based on a minimum 2.5 GPA. GPA is calculated using all attempts of prerequisite courses. Applicants who have completed their prerequisites are accepted into the program on a first come, first served basis. |
| For more information, contact: |
Kim Smith, program support specialist KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu, 678.226.6966 |
| For admission and enrollment, contact: |
Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus or email at HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu. |
Information Sessions
Everyone is welcome to attend our Information Session held on the 3rd Thursday of each month*
at 5 p.m., in Building 200, Room 246
*There will NOT be Information Sessions in December* |
Quick Facts
| 2018 Median pay |
$40,350 per year /$19.40 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Associate degree |
| Number of jobs, 2018 |
215,500 |
| Job growth, 2018 - 2028 |
11% (Faster than average) |
Nature of the Work
Medical records and health information technicians assemble patients’ health information, including medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services. Technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. They regularly communicate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information.
The increasing use of electronic health records (EHR) will continue to broaden and alter the job responsibilities of health information technicians. For example, with the use of EHRs, technicians must be familiar with EHR computer software, maintaining EHR security, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information. Health information technicians use EHR software to maintain data on patient safety, patterns of disease, and disease treatment and outcome. Technicians also may assist with improving EHR software usability and may contribute to the development and maintenance of health information networks.
Medical records and health information technicians’ duties vary with the size of the facility where they work. Technicians can specialize in many aspects of health information. Some medical records and health information technicians specialize in codifying patients’ medical information for reimbursement purposes. Technicians who specialize in coding are called medical coders or coding specialists. Medical coders assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure by using classification systems software. The classification system determines the amount for which Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance programs will reimburse healthcare providers. Coders may use several coding systems, such as those required for ambulatory settings, physician offices, or long-term care.
Medical records and health information technicians also may specialize in cancer registry. Cancer (or tumor) registrars maintain facility, regional, and national databases of cancer patients. Registrars review patient records and pathology reports, and assign codes for the diagnosis and treatment of different cancers and selected benign tumors. Registrars conduct annual follow-ups to track treatment, survival, and recovery. This information is used to calculate survivor rates and success rates of various types of treatment, to locate geographic areas with high incidences of certain cancers, and to identify potential participants for clinical drug trials.
Work Environment
Medical records and health information technicians work in pleasant and comfortable offices. This is one of the few health-related occupations in which there is no direct hands-on patient care. Medical records and health information technicians usually work a typical 40-hour week. Some overtime may be required. In health facilities that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, technicians may work day, evening, and night shifts. Health information technicians held about 215,500 jobs in 2018. Most health information technicians work in hospitals or physicians’ offices.
Employment
Medical records and health information technicians held about 215,500 jobs nationally in 2018. About 36 percent of jobs were in hospitals. Health information technicians work at a number of healthcare providers such as offices of physicians, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home healthcare services. Technicians also gain employment outside of healthcare facilities, such as in federal government agencies. Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 11 percent, faster than the average for all occupations through 2028. Employment growth will result from the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that doctors perform.
Earnings
The median annual wage nationally of medical records and health information technicians was $40,350 in 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,260.
Job Outlook
Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages.
How to Become a Health Information Management Technologist
Health information technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some may need an associate degree. Certification is often required.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2017-18 Edition,
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm.
The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu
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