| The healthcare industry is growing faster than | | | | of software, technicians maintain and analyze all of |
| ever, and growing with it is the need for trained | | | | a facilities data. Professionals often work to |
| professionals in the field of information technology. | | | | improve the quality of data management, and |
| With advances in medicine and technology, digital | | | | contribute to greater quality in overall patient care. |
| record keeping and data basing have become | | | | Professionals in the health information technology |
| fundamental elements to modern healthcare | | | | field may hold an associates degree, or higher. |
| facilities. | | | | Programs in the field are offered at a variety of |
| According to statistics held by the United States | | | | field, and typically cover a broad range of topics in |
| Bureau of Labor, job prospects for professional in | | | | healthcare and computer systems. At the |
| the health information technology field are | | | | associate's level, graduates can expect an |
| expected to be among the fastest growing for | | | | introductory level of knowledge of the following |
| the next decade. In addition, technicians are in | | | | areas. |
| constant demand by employers, making IT | | | | Basic Medical Terminology |
| professionals in the health industry invaluable. | | | | Graduates can expect a rich understanding of |
| Wages for technicians averaged at $40,610 in | | | | medical terminology so they can communicate |
| 2008, and those holding degrees from accredited | | | | with medical professionals and understand |
| universities earned even more. | | | | important concepts for healthcare organizations |
| Healthcare technicians perform a variety of duties | | | | and patient care. |
| relating to organization records handling. Their skills | | | | -Health Services and Information Systems |
| are essential to efficient patient care. Some of | | | | Classes will cover the history of healthcare |
| these duties include compiling medical information | | | | facilities in the United States and the evolution of |
| like medical history, current symptoms, | | | | modern day procedures in the industry. |
| examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment | | | | -International Classification of Diseases Coding |
| methods, and past healthcare services provided. | | | | Central to a healthcare professional's basic |
| Workers in this field also organize and manage | | | | knowledge is an understanding of the layout of |
| medical data and ensure the quality and accuracy | | | | disease classification. Graduates will be better able |
| of data. | | | | to interpret and communicate this data. |
| In addition to careful management of data, | | | | -Legal and Regulatory Issues in Health Information |
| technicians are responsible for understanding and | | | | Programs will prepare graduates to deal with the |
| using a variety of advanced equipment and | | | | specific technology laws related to patient privacy |
| technologies. Technicians are now proficient with | | | | and records handling. |
| electronic health records, or EHR. With this type | | | | |