The need for qualified health care workers is
expected to rise, providing steady employment and a stable careers for
graduates of online degree related to the management of medical records.
Online associate's degree programs are available for medical records
technicians, and bachelor's degree and master's degree programs are
available in health information management.
Overview of a Medical Records Technician Online Associate's Degree
An online medical records technician associate's degree program
trains students in the coding, filing, retrieval and maintenance of
paper-based and electronic medical records. Their aim is to produce
workers who can keep records that are accurate, complete and secure yet
also accessible. A high school diploma or GED are required to enroll in a
medical records associate's degree program. Medical records technicians
may also be referred to as health information technicians.
A distance learning medical records technician associate's degree
program may be pursued online or as a hybrid of online and traditional
study. Assigned readings, lectures and most student-teacher and
student-to-student interaction are handled through a school's website.
E-mail and phone conferencing may also come into use. Students are
expected to adhere to assignment deadlines, but otherwise may access
course work at their convenience. An associate's degree is typically
completed in two years.
Students need a personal computer, Internet access and productivity
software to participate in an online program. A broadband connection is
recommended.
List of Common Medical Records Technician Courses
An associate's degree program includes a general education component.
However, some general education courses may still emphasize medical
subjects, such as anatomy and physiology.
Health Data Management Introductory Course
This course covers basic procedures health care providers and
government agencies follow in the collection and use of health data.
Coursework emphasizes data analysis, data presentation and computation
of medical care rates.
CPT Coding Course
Students learn Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding practices
used in hospitals and physician offices. Use of encoders and data entry
procedures are also among the topics covered.
Information Quality Maintenance and Regulations Course
The robust management of medical records as legal documents and as
private communication between physician and patient is the primary focus
of this course, which emphasizes record maintenance in support of acute
care.
An online medical records technician associate's degree qualifies
degree holders for entry-level positions as medical record and health
information technicians. Although certification isn't legally mandated,
most employers prefer to hire applicants who have passed the Registered
Health Information Technician national certification examination. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected 20% growth in employment
of medical records and health information technicians over the years
2008-2018 (
www.bls.gov). According to
PayScale.com, as of May 2010 health information technicians with 1-4 years of experience earned a median salary of $21,216-$28,912.
Associate degree holders who want to move into medical services administration positions can consider a bachelor's degree in
health information management, and then a master's degree. Several schools offer online bachelor's degree and master's degree programs.
The majority of online bachelor's degree programs in health
information management are degree completion programs for students who
have earned a medical records technician or health information
technician associate's degree from an accredited institution. Bachelor's
programs aim to convey an understanding of HIM ethical, legal and
professional standards, organizational systems and best practices for
finding and using information resources.
Students need a personal computer, Internet access and basic
productivity software to take part in an online bachelor's degree HIM
program. All or nearly all course work may be completed online. Students
may access program materials at their convenience through a school's
website, but must complete lessons or assignments by fixed deadlines.
Bachelor's degree completion programs are typically completed in two
years.
List of Common HIM Bachelor's Degree Courses
General education courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences
are likely to be part of an online bachelor's degree program.
Health Care Organization Course
This course examines fundamental concepts in the business
organization of health care providers and health care systems. The
influence of accrediting agencies and licensing requirements on health
care organizations receives particular emphasis.
Epidemiology Course
Students in this course learn principles of epidemiology and how
epidemic study may prevent or control the spread of diseases within a
defined population. Topics covered include methods of collecting and
analyzing biostatistical data.
Health Care IT Systems Course
This course covers the implementation and management of information
technology systems to support health care services. Database design,
database security and privacy protection are among the topics
considered.
An online bachelor's degree in health information management may
qualify degree holders for entry-level positions as a health information
manager at smaller medical facilities and in physicians' offices.
Typical job duties include keeping computer hardware and software
up-to-date, maintaining health information databases and maintaining
compliance with legislative requirements. According to
PayScale.com, as of May 2010 health information managers with 1-4 years of experience commonly earned a salary of $32,427-$50,472.
Information technology professionals who want to move into the
medical field or workers in the health information field who want to
move into executive and supervisory level positions can consider earning
a master's degree in health information management.
An online master's degree program in health information management
draws heavily on concepts from information technology and business
administration to train professionals capable of operating or
supervising a health records system. The design and implementation of
health information systems, employee management and evaluation,
information distribution policies and information security are among the
competencies students gain from a master's program. Enrollees need to
have earned a bachelor's degree, preferably in computer science or the
biological sciences with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
An HIM master's degree is typically earned in two years. Coursework
may be completed entirely online or through a combination of online and
traditional classroom study. Assignments have fixed deadlines, but all
assignments and lectures are accessible at any time through a school's
website. A personal computer, Internet access and productivity software
are the primary technical requirements for participation in an online
program.
List of Common HIM Master's Degree Courses
Online master's degree programs are usually divided into a set of
core course and a list of electives. Programs may also offer a thesis
option and non-thesis option.
Clinical Outcome Assessment Course
This course explores how health information can facilitate effective,
low cost patient-centered treatment approaches. Course content stresses
the importance of epidemiological principles and statistical analysis.
Health Care Communications Course
Students evaluate methods of communication within and between health
care facilities. Communication technologies, standards and system
configurations are among the topics considered.
This course examines in-depth the technologies and procedures used to
secure medical data. Risk assessment and prevention are points of
emphasis in the syllabus.
An online master's degree in health information management qualifies
degree holders to assume management and executive-level positions with
large and small medical care providers as medical and health services
managers. The BLS projected that employment of health information
managers would grow at least 16% over the years 2008-2018. Hospitals
employ and will continue to employ the most information managers, but
the fastest growth will occur in clinics and small offices in response
to federal regulations requiring health care providers to maintain
electronic records.
PayScale.com reported that as of May 2008,
the median salary of medical and health service managers with 1-4 years
of experience was $45,781-$71,801.
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