Future hot jobs: medical records and health information technicians

Everyone probably seen the patient to the hospital, but also know that such a record history of medical diagnosis and treatment information and a small book. But in the United States, the patient's medical records are usually managed by the hospital. Medical records and health information technician job is to organize and manage patient health information.

This sounds like the work of records management how suddenly "hot" up and out? To understand this issue, we first look at health information technicians are doing.

In short, this work is to the patient's medical history, symptoms, test results, diagnostic tests and treatment methods, structured data together. They are not medical personnel, and doctors often need to communicate but to ensure the accuracy and completeness of medical information.

In the digital age, declining use of paper files, medical information is no exception. With the use of electronic health records to popularize, health information technicians and responsibility is changing face. For example, now often require this career to be familiar with electronic health record technician, computer software, maintenance records of the security, but also will analyze electronic data to improve health information.

Responsibilities of health information technicians usually because they are in the situation and the medical institutions of different sizes are different. For example, some state and local laws require hospitals to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients in poor medical records coding, to clarify the number of medical institutions to obtain compensation. Then these medical institutions need to hire medical coders to work in this field.

There are health information technicians specializing in cancer treatment facilities for patients and information management. Given the special nature of these patients, cancer registrars need the treatment of cancer patients, survival and rehabilitation of the annual tracking.

The popularity of electronic health records not only changed the way health information technicians work and requirements, but also affect the employment needs of the industry.

Providence Hospital in Washington, (Providence Hospital) was founded in the Lincoln Times-profit Catholic health care institutions. The main hospital health information management check the Max Planck (Richard Mapp) said:

"Yes, it (the information electronically) does affect the demand for this work. Because now you want to manage the digital information, rather than the former paper-based electronic information and files ... With the rise of medical coding, this Professional 4-fold increase in demand. "

In addition, the Max Planck said that the industry is facing the retirement needs of the climax is also a factor in stimulating employment. He said: "The career employees start to retire. Our subordinate Association has published a white paper. The report said that we will face staff shortages."

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment forecast in a report also mentioned the aging population on health information technician jobs demand. This is especially in demand growth of cancer statistician. Because with the aging population grows, the number of cancer patients are also expected to increase.

Bureau of Labor Statistics expects medical records and health information technicians, job growth prospects of much higher than the average for all occupations demand growth. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that from 2008 to 2018, the demand for occupational employment growth of 20%.

In 2008, the United States there are about 172,000 registered health information technician. Year in May, this career median annual income of 30,610 dollars, in income of high-end health information technicians in the $ 50,000 annual income or more.