What is Health Information Technology?
Healthcare information technology consultants are the liaisons charged with employing information technology to meet the needs of the healthcare sector. Health information technology (HIT) is a growing and versatile field. In 2010, CNNMoney ranked the job of an HIT consultant as one of the top 20 best jobs in America.
Graduates of health information management programs have the skills necessary to maintain accurate, up-to-date records for research institutes, hospitals and healthcare facilities using cutting-edge, emerging health information technologies. HIT consultants are also charged with implementing federally mandated HIT policies regarding electronic medical records and patient security. The goal of the healthcare information technology consultant is to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of the healthcare system by accurately recording medical, financial and administrative data within a highly organized and secure system. From online health information technology courses to various career opportunities, this article will help you learn how to become a health information technology consultant.
Health Information Technology Degrees
There are several degree options available to those interested in pursuing health information technologies careers. For example, bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates in healthcare information technology are ideally suited for entry level jobs, while those with doctoral degrees specialized in information systems technology for health systems have the training necessary to work in universities or other research-oriented settings.
Most health information technology courses of study incorporate several fields including information technology, science, statistics, database management and law. Typical course offerings include: medical and healthcare terminology, data collection in the healthcare field, software applications, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, classification and coding systems, and ethical and legal concerns in healthcare information. Additional courses in database and network administration, and security will prepare a HIT consultant for a wider variety of health information technology jobs.
Online courses in health information management technology are a great option for working professionals, allowing students to further their learning while maintaining their present job pursuits. For example, some online universities offer continuing education options while others use an intensive, short-term format that allows students to complete their coursework over several weeks or through weekend classes. Many traditional and online institutions offer health information technology scholarships to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
Health Information Technology Career Opportunities
Training in health information technology prepares students to work in a number of positions including medical transcription, medical coding and medical billing. Health information consultants are ideally suited for a number of jobs in health information management and healthcare-related information technology management. As hospitals and healthcare facilities upgrade to electronic record keeping, HIT consultants will be in constant demand. The United States Bureau of Labor has predicted that health information technology specialists will be in increasing in demand over the next decade, with an 18% increase in job opportunities estimated through 2016.
Graduates can select from a variety of career options in hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare clinics, doctor’s offices, insurance offices, law firms and pharmaceutical settings. Students may decide to hone their skills at their existing jobs, or specialize in a new field to expand their options when looking for new healthcare and information technology jobs. For example, students who specialize in bioinformatics will gain in-depth knowledge of the new technology being used to facilitate research to improve the diagnosis of diseases and injuries and their treatment. A health information technology degree can also serve those interested in working in biochemistry, biophysics, biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, food science, geosciences, microbiology, physiology, psychology and zoology.
The salary of health information technology experts is quite competitive. HIT consultants with five to nine years of job experience currently earn between $61,468 and $89,679 a year. Jobs with federal government agencies pay the highest salaries ($72,715 to $135,125), while universities pay the lowest ($30,000 to $72,000). Bonuses and commissions can add significantly to these salaries.
Healthcare industries remain a vital part of the U.S. economy, and with many facilities struggling to modernize and streamline their IT components, HIT consultants will be important players.