Your Guide to Top Health Information Technician Training in Ohio
On the hunt for a career as a health information technician in Ohio? Look no further. This article dives into accredited “health information technician training in Ohio” programs, mapping out the specifics of the role, the core requirements for budding technicians, and how these programs pave the way to certification and a robust career in healthcare information management.
Exploring Health Information Technician Training in Ohio
As health information management technology continues to transform the healthcare sector, health information technicians are becoming indispensable. These professionals harness the power of information technology to manage health records, ensuring their completeness and accuracy. They work in various healthcare facilities, from hospitals to nursing homes, handling crucial data related to patient care.
The field of health informatics is a unique blend of:
- Medicine
- Management
- Finance
- Law
- Information technology
It’s no surprise then that a degree in this field opens up diverse opportunities. Ohio offers various accredited health information technology programs, preparing students to effectively manage health records in various healthcare settings.
Health Information Technician Roles and Responsibilities
The responsibility of maintaining the integrity of health record documentation falls under the purview of health information technicians. Armed with knowledge of health informatics, they ensure the quality of health records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They are also proficient in using electronic health record systems, which is pivotal for efficient patient care.
Understanding and utilizing medical terminology is another facet of a health information technician’s job. This is essential for effective communication within the healthcare team and plays a significant role in various tasks, including:
- Delivering medicine
- Billing
- Documenting patient information
- Medical coding diagnoses and procedures
- Analyzing data
- Conducting research
As such, their role is not just limited to the back-end management of health records and medical records but extends to the forefront of patient care.
Accredited Health Information Technician Programs in Ohio
Ohio is home to several accredited health information technician programs, which guarantee top-notch education and training in this domain. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) is the accrediting body that ensures the quality of these programs. Notable institutions offering CAHIIM-accredited programs include the University of Northwestern Ohio and the University of Cincinnati.
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)
The Health Information Technology program at UNOH offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for a rapidly growing field with strong employment prospects, practical experience through internships, and support for certification, all within a flexible timeframe for both full-time and part-time students.
Program Overview
- Objective: Prepare students for careers as Health Information Technicians in various healthcare settings.
- Format: Associate’s degree program.
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Key Features
- RHIT Exam: UNOH pays for graduates to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam.
- Curriculum Includes:
- Medical Terminology
- Health Information Systems
- ICD-10 and CPT Coding
- Legal & Ethical Aspects of HIT
- Electronic Healthcare Records
- Pharmacology
University of Cincinnati (UC)
The AAS in Health Information Systems at UC offers a comprehensive, flexible, and highly respected online program designed to prepare students for a growing field with strong career prospects and excellent support for achieving certification and advancing education.
Program Overview
- Objective: Train professionals to manage health information and medical records, ensuring data quality, integrity, confidentiality, and security.
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) through 2025.
Key Features
- Certification: Graduates will be eligible to take the RHIT, CPC, and CCA exams.
- Employment Rate: 71% of graduates employed within one year.
- RHIT Exam Pass Rate: 90% pass rate for Fall 2022 grads, 22% higher than the national average.
- Student Satisfaction: 100% of graduates reported high satisfaction with the program.
Program Highlights
- 100% Online: No campus visits required.
- Internships: Opportunities for hands-on experience and networking.
- Financial Aid: Generous packages including grants and scholarships.
- Fast Track Option: Graduates are guaranteed acceptance into UC’s online Bachelor’s in Health Information Management program.
Curriculum Focus
- Core Subjects:
- Medical Terminology
- Health Information Systems
- ICD-10 and CPT Coding
- Legal & Ethical Aspects of HIT
- Electronic Healthcare Records
- Pharmacology
Their commitment to providing up-to-date and industry-relevant education is evident from their college’s accreditation and each program’s accreditation status, which have been reaffirmed through 2025.
Program Accreditation and Outcomes
Program accreditation by organizations like CAHIIM is significant as it allows graduates to become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) upon passing certification exams. Several institutions in Ohio, like the University of Northwestern Ohio, Cuyahoga Community College, and Mercy College of Ohio, offer CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Technology programs.
Admission Requirements and Degree Options
Admission to Health Information Technician programs in Ohio typically involves meeting both general college admission requirements and specific program requirements. To earn an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, students must complete all college requirements, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 being mandatory in specific programs.
The degree options in this field are diverse, with program durations averaging 19 months for full-time students and potentially longer for part-time students. These varied degree options lead to a wide array of job opportunities post-graduation, including:
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Business intelligence analyst
- Database administrator
- Data Engineer
- Data Architect
- Machine learning engineer
- Statistician
This diversity offers flexibility to students based on their career aspirations.
Key Components of Health Information Technician Curriculum
The curriculum for the health information technology program covers a broad array of topics for health information technician training, from the Introduction to Health Care and Public Health in the U.S., The Culture of Health Care, Terminology in Health Care and Public Health Settings, to the History of Health Information Technology in the U.S. Core subjects of the curriculum include Health Management Information System, Working with Health IT Systems, Networking and Health Information Exchange, and Quality Improvement.
The Miami University’s program includes a comprehensive suite of core courses in biology, computing, database design, healthcare information technology, ethics, and business intelligence, totalling 98 semester hours. Specialized training areas such as Population Health, Care Coordination and Interoperable Health IT Systems, Value-Based Care, Healthcare Data Analytics, and Patient-Centered Care are also included in the curriculum.
The University of Northwestern Ohio prepares students in different disciplines such as medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law, integrating these into a cohesive curriculum.
Gaining Real-World Experience: Internships and Externships
A vital part of health information technician training is gaining hands-on experience through internships and externships. These opportunities allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom to practical scenarios, enhancing their skills and preparing them for their future careers.
Health information technology students in Ohio have the opportunity to pursue internships in various healthcare facilities such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Government health departments
- Private health information technology firms
Programs like the University of Northwestern Ohio Health Information Technology require students to complete two internships, aiding in making professional connections in the field.
Types of Internship Opportunities
A variety of internship opportunities are available for students studying health information technology. These opportunities span across various settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Government health departments
- Private health information technology firms
For instance, the University of Northwestern Ohio Health Information Technology requires students to complete two internships, providing them with ample opportunities to make professional connections in the field.
Benefits of Internships and Externships
Health information technology students can reap a plethora of benefits from internships and externships. They provide a platform for students to:
- Apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their practical work experience and skills
- Gain hands-on experience in the health IT sector
- Network with professionals in the field
- Increase their employability, with studies indicating that 63.1 per cent of paid interns receive at least one job offer
Internships and externships are valuable opportunities for students to bridge the gap between theory and practice and prepare for a successful career in health information technology.
Externships, on the other hand, provide practical experience in tasks such as maintaining confidentiality, record retention, and coding, which are essential skills for the profession. Externship programs for health IT students include comprehensive learning activities such as risk management, regulatory requirements, and professional development, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
Preparing for National Certification Examinations
The path to becoming a health information technician extends beyond graduation. It culminates in earning a certification, such as the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential, which can be obtained after passing the national certification examination. This certification not only validates the professional’s skills and knowledge but also enhances their employability.
Importance of Certification
Certification stands as a validation of a professional’s competence and expertise in the realm of health information technology. Earning certifications such as the RHIT, CPC, and CCA is not just a feather in the cap for the graduates of the University of Cincinnati’s online AAS in Health Information Systems program but also a significant boost to their career prospects.
Exam Preparation and Resources
Exam preparation is a significant phase in the process of becoming a health information technician. Utilizing practice exams and study materials significantly contributes to a candidate’s success in national certification examinations. Resources like the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Exam Preparation book, which features two complete practice exams and 850 multiple choice questions, can be a valuable study aid.
