A registered health information technician uses computer programs to collect and analyze patient health information for doctors, hospitals and other medical service providers. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is more than just a health information technology job description, however; it is a credential that must be earned. Here is some information on becoming a registered health information technician.
The first step toward earning the RHIT designation is to complete an approved health information technology course. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) maintains a list of health information management technology programs that meet the requirements for RHIT certification. The minimum education requirement is a health information technology degree at the Associate's level.
Once a student is enrolled in the final term of the health information technician educational program of their choice, she is eligible to apply to take the RHIT certification examination. The exam is three and a half hours long and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
Health care information technology is used by many different types of medical organizations to keep track of patient information and maintain it in a manner that makes it easy for medical personnel to access it when it is needed. The main purpose of health information technology is to improve the quality of patient care by avoiding errors that may be made when physicians are not able to easily access important information regarding a patient's condition. Information technology in health care can also help reduce the costs of caring for patients.
Health information technology jobs are available anywhere a health information system is used to keep track of patient data. This includes hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, research centers, home health agencies and mental health centers. Some of the health care and information technology jobs that are available include health information technicians, health care information technology consultants, medical records transcriptionists and medical records clerks.
Medical information technology professionals who hold the RHIT credential have a leg up on their unregistered co-workers when it comes to promotion to management positions. Registered health information technicians who aspire to management should complete a Bachelor's degree in management or healthcare information technology to improve their chances of landing the desired position.
If you want to a job in health information technology but aren't sure you can afford the schooling, you may qualify for one of the health information technology scholarships that are available. For those who are employed full-time and want to change careers, consider pursuing an online IT degree; taking an online health information technology course will allow you to complete the educational requirements while continuing to work in your current job. Accredited online programs in this field aren’t too difficult to find, and several of the schools will assist you in locating financial aid, if needed.
Registered health information technicians must be good with people and pay attention to details. Accuracy is of utmost importance, since errors entering health information into the system can result in improper treatment of patients. If you are the type of person who pays careful attention to your work and always double-checks everything to make sure no errors have been made, you may be a perfect candidate for a job as a registered health information technician.