A training program in health records prepares you for a career as a medical records and health information technician. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career is expected to grow much faster than average through 2014. Medical records degree holders are relied on more and more as doctors' offices switch to electronic filing and as the government creates new regulations about how paperwork should be filed.

Degree Programs for Health Records Technicians

In order to become a health records technician, you need to earn your associate's degree at a junior or community college. Training programs teach you about anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding, statistics, legal implications of medical records, and computer science. If you are interested in a health records technician training program, you should take as make high school courses in chemistry, biology, computer science, and health as you can.

On the Job

Medical records technicians keep track of patient data. They ensure that all pertinent information has been collected. As patients undergo examinations and receive treatment by doctors, medical records technicians record their care. They work closely with doctors to make sure that their data is accurate and to get clarification on treatment plans and diagnoses. Some medical records technicians choose to specialize in insurance coding, giving procedures and diagnoses each a unique code. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical technicians make $25,590 per year on average.

People who want to become health records technicians should be responsible, organized, and detail-minded. It is essential to patients' care that health records technicians record and process information accurately. If you think that you have what it takes, you should consider a degree program in this fast-growing career path.

Source:
"Medical Records and Health Information Technicians," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Online Degrees in Health Records

PCDI

What Professional Career Development Institute began by offering just one professional real estate appraisal course in 1987 has grown so large that it is now divided into two divisions: John Madison High School for high school programs and Ashworth College for all its higher and continuing education course offerings. More than 50 career programs are featured at PCDI including everything from jewelry repair to carpentry to sports psychology to writing children's books. more

Health Records Degrees Offered:

Health Records
This program begins with basic medical terminology and steps to organize the patient chart. Next, you’ll learn about applying specific compliance procedures as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), working with health insurance carriers and claims, and using electronic medical records systems in hospitals and physician offices. Then, you’ll discover how to collect, assemble, and file the contents of the medical record; how to analyze records for proper physician notations; and how to correct files.