Profession Overview
A Medical Records and Health Information Technician (also known as a Health Information Technician or Medical Records Technician) plays a crucial role in managing and organizing medical data. These professionals work behind the scenes to ensure that patient information is accurately collected, stored, and securely maintained, while complying with healthcare regulations and standards.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Work Schedule:
- Full-Time Employment: Most Health Information Technicians work full-time, typically around 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Standard office hours are common, often from 8 AM to 5 PM.
- Overtime: Overtime may be required occasionally, especially if there is a backlog of work or a deadline for processing medical records or coding. However, most positions do not require frequent overtime.
- Part-Time/Shift Work: In some settings, such as hospitals or healthcare facilities that operate 24/7, there may be opportunities for part-time positions or shift work, including evenings and weekends. This is less common but possible depending on the healthcare facility’s needs.
Day-to-Day 
Tasks:
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- Medical Coding and Billing: A significant portion of the day may be spent coding medical diagnoses and treatments according to established coding systems (ICD-10, CPT, etc.).
- Managing Patient Records: You’ll spend a lot of time updating, organizing, and ensuring that patient medical records (whether physical or electronic) are complete and accurate.
- Data Entry and Quality Control: Maintaining health records involves entering data into Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and performing routine audits to ensure that all patient data is complete and meets the required standards.
- Administrative and Office Work: Routine office duties, such as answering emails, filing documents, organizing physical or digital records, and attending meetings, can take up part of your day.
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Education requirements
Associate’s Degree in Health Information Technology (HIT)
- Duration: Typically a 2-year program.
- Schools Offering Programs:
- Many community colleges and universities in Louisiana offer Associate’s Degree programs in Health Information Technology (HIT).
- Examples of schools in Louisiana offering HIT programs include:
- Louisiana Technical College (LTC)
- Baton Rouge Community College
- Southern University at Shreveport
- Delgado Community College (New Orleans)
- Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center (for those interested in a broader range of healthcare studies)
Key Courses and Topics Covered:
- Medical Terminology: Understanding the language used in healthcare.
- Medical Coding and Billing: Training in coding systems like ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS for insurance billing and claims.
- Health Information Systems: Learning to use Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.
- Healthcare Law and Ethics: Focus on HIPAA regulations and ensuring privacy and confidentiality of patient information.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Basic understanding of the human body and diseases to work with medical records.
- Health Data Management: Learning how to organize and maintain patient records.
- Healthcare Reimbursement and Insurance: Understanding the financial aspects of healthcare.
Career Outlook
- Job Growth: Louisiana is experiencing growth in healthcare-related occupations due to an aging population and the increasing use of electronic health records.
- Salary Expectations: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for health information technicians nationwide was around $48,000 in 2021. In Louisiana, salaries may vary based on location, experience, and type of healthcare facility but can be expected to range from $40,000 to $55,000 per year depending on experience and specific job role.