US Department of Labor Stats: 21% growth

US Labor Bureau Estimates:

Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance. Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

What Medical Records and Health Information Technicians Do

Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.

Work Environment

Most medical records and health information technicians work in hospitals or physicians’ offices. Most technicians work full time.

Medical records and health information technicians typically need a post secondary certificate to enter the occupation, although they may have an associate’s degree. Many employers also require professional certification.