Health Information Technology — on the job
Many physicians still make handwritten records from exams and lab results they’ve ordered and Health Information Technology is in the midst of a big shift to electronic records — meaning these workers must understand both systems.
Health Information Technology may not sound like an exciting career, but consider this: Although these trained employees don’t work directly with patients, they keep information and the system flowing to help patients get timely treatment and health care providers get timely payment.
Every step of patient care is documented. Patients’ health history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests and treatment methods are all part of their records. Technicians organize and manage this data, with accuracy, accessibility, quality and security in mind. They regularly talk with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
This is one of the few health-related occupations with no direct hands-on patient care. Medical records and health information technicians usually work a typical 40-hour week. In facilities such as hospitals that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the job can involve day, evening and night shifts.