How To Become a Medical Records and Health Information Technician

Stan T.Career, RequirementsLeave a Comment

How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

[content_band class=”toc”] [custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h6″]Table of Contents[/custom_headline]

[/content_band]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What degree do you need [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level

High School Diploma

We did a survey to ask other Medical Records and Health Information Technicians what degree they had when they became a Medical Records and Health Information Technician. Here are the results.
High School Diploma
48.06%

[clear]

College Certificate
20.57%

[clear]

Associate’s Degree
19.93%

[clear]

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Medical Records Technicians or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Medical Records Technicians what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Health Information or Medical Records Technology
Medical Insurance Coding Specialist or Coder

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although they may have an associate’s degree. Many employers also require professional certification. Postsecondary certificate and associate’s degree programs in health information technology typically include courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements and standards, classification and coding systems, healthcare reimbursement methods, healthcare statistics, and computer systems.

[clear]

Featured Schools

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]How hard is it [/custom_headline]
Difficulty
Not Too Hard

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Medical Records and Health Information Technician. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

[clear]

Related work experience required
6 months to 1 year

6 months to 1 year
40.35%

[clear]

1 to 2 years
19.69%

[clear]

2 to 4 years
13.85%

[clear]

Job training
Up to 1 month

Up to 1 month
39.89%

[clear]

1 to 3 months
31.32%

[clear]

3 to 6 months
13.97%

[clear]

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]License and certifications [/custom_headline]
Do you need any license or certification
Recommended but not required

Most employers prefer to hire Medical Records and Health Information Technicians who have professional certification. A Medical Records and Health Information Technician can earn certification from several organizations. Some organizations base certification on passing an exam. Others require graduation from an accredited program. Once certified, technicians typically must renew their certification regularly and take continuing education courses. Certifications include Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR), among others. Many coding certifications require coding experience in a work setting.

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Skills required [/custom_headline]

We asked other Medical Records Technicians if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. [icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F; margin-right: 5px;”] Reading Comprehension [extra href=”#example” title=”Reading Comprehension” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
2. Active Listening [extra href=”#example” title=”Active Listening” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
3. Writing [extra href=”#example” title=”Writing” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
4. Speaking [extra href=”#example” title=”Speaking” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Talking to others to convey information effectively.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
5. Critical Thinking [extra href=”#example” title=”Critical Thinking” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]

[icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F;”] = Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for

[clear]

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Knowledge required [/custom_headline]

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Medical Records Technicians are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. [icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F; margin-right: 5px;”] Clerical [extra href=”#example” title=”Clerical” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
2. English Language [extra href=”#example” title=”English Language” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
3. Computers and Electronics [extra href=”#example” title=”Computers and Electronics” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
4. Customer and Personal Service [extra href=”#example” title=”Customer and Personal Service” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
5. Administration and Management [extra href=”#example” title=”Administration and Management” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]

[clear]

[clear]
[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about Medical Records Technicians[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements (You are here)
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
[/content_band]
[content_band bg_color=”#ffffff” border=”all” style=”padding: 30px; margin-bottom: 0;”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0; line-height: 140%; text-transform: capitalize;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″] Find a college with the major you want [/custom_headline]
[/content_band]
[clear]

Related to Medical Records and Health Information Technicians Requirements

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians requirements, how to become Medical Records Technicians, degree required to be a Medical Records and Health Information Technician, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians license and certifications, majors to be a Medical Records and Health Information Technician, is it hard to become a Medical Records and Health Information Technician and how long does it take

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.