| The health technician field is not only one that is | | | | become an information manager. |
| expected to see above average growth in the | | | | The U.S. Department of Labor projects |
| next several years, but is also one that will | | | | employment for medical records and information |
| continue to see changes in job responsibilities. | | | | technicians to increase by 20 percent through |
| Working in this field usually means the business | | | | 2018, which is much faster than the average for |
| environment will be a pleasant and comfortable | | | | all occupations through that time. As the |
| office setting. This is one of the few medical fields | | | | population continues to age, more medical tests, |
| that does not include direct, hand-on contact with | | | | treatment and procedures will be required. Those |
| patients. The typical work week is 40 hours, | | | | technicians that can demonstrate a strong |
| though there may be some overtime. In facilities | | | | understanding of technology and computer |
| that are open 24 hours a day, technicians may | | | | software likely will be particularly in demand. |
| work day, evening or night shifts. | | | | As the use of electronic medical records continues |
| Medical information and record technicians usually | | | | to increase, more technicians will also be needed. |
| have at least an associate's degree. Course work | | | | In fact, the U.S. Health and Human Services |
| in the field will include medical terminology, | | | | Department recently announced it would be |
| anatomy and physiology, data requirements and | | | | awarding $267 million to several non-profit |
| standards, data analysis, clinical classification and | | | | organizations to establish Health Information |
| codifying systems, data base security and | | | | Technology Regional Extension Centers, which will |
| management, insurance reimbursement and quality | | | | help grow this emerging field. These centers will |
| improvement methods. Taking math, biology, | | | | provide support to medical practitioners as they |
| chemistry, health and computer science courses in | | | | transition to electronic records. |
| high school can improves an applicant's standing | | | | In 2008, the most recent numbers available, the |
| when applying to a post-secondary school. | | | | median wage was $30,618. The middle 50 percent |
| Many employers will prefer to hire credentialed | | | | of workers in the field earned between $25,000 |
| technicians. Credentialing programs often will | | | | and $40,000. The upper 10 percent earned |
| require re-credentialing and continuing education. | | | | $50,000. |
| Obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree, or an | | | | The health information technology field is one that |
| advanced specialty certification, can help with | | | | will continue to have very good job prospects due |
| career advancement for someone experienced in | | | | to constant changes in computer and medical |
| the health information technology field. Those with | | | | technology combined with an aging population. |
| a bachelor's or master's degree can often | | | | |