Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

Registered Health Information Technicians (RHITs) ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They may also use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs. RHITs often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. RHITs may serve as cancer registrars, compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients. With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions and increase in salary, especially if it is combined with a bachelor's degree.

RHIT Career Outlook

Career outlook and salary potential for RHITs are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health information is expected to grow by 20% between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average of all occupations. RHITs have excellent earning potential which only improves with further experience, education, and certification. New graduates with an associate's degree can expect to earn $25k to $35K, while graduates with a bachelor's degree can expect to earn $30k to $50k. Depending on the employment setting, many health information professionals with 5 or more years of experience can expect to earn from $50k to $70k.

RHIT Career Opportunities

RHITs have many employment options. Although most RHITs work in hospitals, you will also find them in a variety of other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. In fact employment opportunities exist for RHITs in any organization that uses patient data or health information such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

Preparing for an RHIT Career

The RHIT credential is a national certification for health information technicians. First, RHIT candidates must hold a CAHIIM accredited Associate's degree in Health Information Technology. Although the associate degree curriculum offers some general education, the primary focus is more on the technical component of providing a variety of health information services. The curriculum is designed to prepare entry-level graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to use, analyze, present, abstract, code, store and/or retrieve health care data for the support of departmental operations, and clinical and business decision making in healthcare, or related organizations. Second, RHIT candidates must pass the national RHIT certification exam. The 3 1/2 hour exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions. The pass rate of first time test takers for the 2009 RHIT Certification Exam was 82.7%. >> RHIT Exam Content (pdf)

RHIT Certification

Whether you are certified as an RHIT, RHIA, CCA, CCS, etc., earning an AHIMA credential puts you in a special league, positioning you as a leader and role model in the health informatics and information management community. Investing in AHIMA certification is an investment in yourself and your long-term career. AHIMA certification can help you:

• Improve your earning potential
• Open the door to more opportunities for career advancement
• Increase your job mobility and choices even in the face of a tough job market
• Reach not only your short-term job goals, but also position yourself for success in your long-term career
• Provide a foundation of broad and deep understanding
• Be associated with AHIMA's strong and long-standing reputation of integrity and excellence.
• Connect with a strong network of AHIMA-certified peers. Earning an AHIMA credential plugs you into a prestigious community of ongoing support. Although membership is not required in order to become AHIMA-certified, you can enhance your connection even more by becoming an AHIMA member. 

RHIT vs CCS Certification

Both the RHIT and CCS/CCS-P certifications are offered by AHIMA. The CCS certification shows that you are a master of medical coding. The RHIT certification will enable you to move beyond coding and into other health information jobs. For those struggling to decide on which of the two certifications to pursue first, educators, coding professionals, and AHIMA strongly recommend that candidates pursue the RHIT certification first. By completing a CAHIIM accredited HIT program, candidates will be eligible to sit for AHIMA's RHIT exam. However, to sit for the more demanding CCS exam, candidates should have atleast three years of on-the-job experience.
>> Read More on RHIT Certification & Requirements

>> Read: Interview with a Medical Records and Health Information Technician

To be eligible for AHIMA's RHIT exam, candidates must have earned an associate degree in health information management or technology in a CAHIIM accredited program.

Note to Canadian Applicants: AHIMA (U.S.) and CHIMA (Canada) have a reciprocity agreement, which allows Canadian and U.S. applicants to pursue certification exams to become certified as a technician or administrator as long as the applicants have completed CAHIIM accredited (U.S. schools) or CHIMA recognized (Canadian schools) programs and meet competency requirements.

DeVry University offers 7,500 scholarships up to $25 million each year to current and prospective students from the U.S. and Canada.

Education for career success: For the year ending the October '10 graduates, 76% of U.S. DeVry Health Information Technology graduates were employed in their field.

Health Information Technology
Associate of Applied Science

DeVry's CAHIIM accredited Health Information Technology program follows a curriculum based on current associate degree entry-level competencies outlined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This HIT program prepares graduates to work with applications systems and manage electronic health information databases. Students will have access to up-to-date coding and chart management lab software 24/7, and the opportunity for professional practice experience, including two practicum. Graduates of this CAHIIM accredited program will be prepared to take AHIMA's national RHIT certification exam.

DeVry University also offers:

• Technical Management / Health Information Management - BS
• CIS / Health Information Systems - BS

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.

Health Information Technology
Associate of Applied Science

NAU's CAHIIM Accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) is an excellent career choice if you see yourself working in the in-demand health care field, but not directly with patients. As a graduate of this program, it may be your job to verify the completeness and accuracy of medical records and data entry into computer systems to ensure medical record quality; to use technology to analyze for quality and efficiency of patient care; to code patient diagnoses and procedures for research or reimbursement purposes; or to work in specialized registries that maintain data for medical research. NAU's HIT AAS program holds accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) to allow graduates of the HIT program to be eligible to take the certification examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Health Information Management
Associate of Science

The CAHIIM accredited Health Information Management associate degree program will prepare the student to perform information management services that directly impact the quality of patient care. These functions include organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating health information; compiling various administrative and health statistics; coding diseases, operations, procedures and therapies; maintaining and using health information indexes; creating disease data registries; facilitating storage and retrieval of health data; utilizing computerized health data; and controlling the use and release of health information. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for AHIMA's RHIT certification exam.

• Health Administration - BS

Each year, Rasmussen College provides more than $20 million in scholarships to their students.

Health Information Technology
Applied Associate of Science

Rasmussen's Health Information Technology AAS Degree program is accredited by CAHIIM and will prepare students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Graduates with HIT training understand the healthcare system and how to communicate well within a team setting. Graduates will be able to perform medical coding and billing, analyze data, use and understand scanning technology, navigate an electronic health record, manage a file room, and release medical information under appropriate circumstances. Key courses will include: Introduction to Health Information Management, Basic ICD-9-CM Coding, Ambulatory Care Coding, and Quality Analysis & Management. Rasmussen's industry-seasoned instructors guide and mentor you throughout your curriculum to pass your RHIT exam, so you can further enhance your competitive advantage within the job market. As a Rasmussen College graduate, you can take your RHIT exam at no cost -- Rasmussen will cover your application fee.*

• Medical Administration AAS
• Healthcare Management - BS

Health Information Management
Bachelor of Science

This CAHIIM accredited program prepares students with the necessary skills and knowledge in the health information management field for management positions in a variety of health-related settings including hospitals, clinics, long-term care settings, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies and software vendors. A health information management professional is responsible for the management of health information systems consistent with medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements of the healthcare delivery system. They are experts in coding and classification systems, managing patient health information, and administrating computer information systems. Individuals with interests in computer science, business administration, health science and healthcare administration are well-suited for a career in health information management. Upon completion of this degree, students are eligible to take AHIMA's Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification examination.

UC is ranked in the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report. UC is ranked in the Top 100 "Elite Values" in Higher Education List by Money Magazine.

Health Information Management
RHIT to RHIA Progression
Bachelor of Science

This CAHIIM accredited program provides a unique path for RHITs to obtain their BS in HIM in just 2 ¼ years. This program has been tailor-made for working RHITs who don't want to be bogged down with countless electives in their efforts to obtain a Bachelor's degree. The accelerated curriculum-made possible by an advanced network of support-prepares students to truly excel in the field. This RHIT progression program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through prior education and work experience. Graduates of this program are equipped with the knowledge to take AHIMA's RHIA certification exam.

• Health Administration - MHA

The University of Illinois at Chicago is ranked in the top 4% of 4,000 colleges and universities in the US by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Illinois at Chicago offers the first online graduate programs in the nation to receive CAHIIM accreditation.

Health Informatics
Master of Science

The CAHIIM accredited Master of Science in Health Informatics emphasizes the analysis, implementation and ongoing management of the critical factors that impact the successful selection and use of health care information technologies. This online degree program equips students with an academic foundation in health information sciences and the practical tools necessary to apply this knowledge.

• Gain insight into the resources and methods required to optimize the use of information technology in the areas of nursing, clinical care, pharmacy, public health and medical research.
• Examine the use and application of health care data and learn how it's collected into Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Examine health care information systems to discover how current information technology systems are used and implemented in health care organizations.
• Gain perspective on the dynamic role health information technology will play in the future of medical practice, nursing, and the healthcare industry as a whole.

The University of Illinois at Chicago Master of Science in Health Informatics program is the first master level degree program in the nation to receive CAHIIM accreditation. With supplemental coursework from UIC's HIM program, graduates are eligible to sit for AHIMA's RHIA Certification Exam.

Health Informatics
Bachelor of Science

This CAHIIM accredited Health Informatics BS Degree program combines concepts in healthcare, information technology, and leadership practice to provide students with the knowledge and skills to be a valuable designer, developer, and manager of health information systems. It is designed for healthcare and health information professionals seeking IT skills to move into health informatics as well as IT professionals seeking a career that combines healthcare, IT, and business. As part of the program, students can earn the two industry relevant certifications: CompTIA A+, CIW Database Design Specialist. The program proudly holds CAHIIM accreditation, which allows its graduates to become eligible for the AHIMA RHIA credentialing exam.

Health Information Management
Master of Science in IT

This Health Information Management master’s specialization offers health care-focused course work on information systems, databases, system security, data analysis, decision support, and strategic management, along with overviews of important IT and business topics. The curriculum follows the model curriculum of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and was developed to align with the criteria of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management (CAHIIM). It is designed to help you use information management and security to support efficient, accurate health care delivery and management. People who choose this specialization are often IT professionals pursuing health information management or consulting positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.

Health Information Technology
Associate of Applied Science

If you are interested in health information data as it relates to patient care and the use of computers in this area, this program may be for you. The program blends online coursework with on-ground clinical experiences# and is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required to pursue entry-level positions in the competitive and growing health information management field. This program requires a clinical practicum and unpaid externship in your area.

IT / Information Systems / Health Informatics
Bachelor of Science

Students of the health informatics specialization will examine data modeling and management for the twenty-first century health care industry. They will review the wide variety of health care information available, focusing on quality, laws, regulations, and standards. Students will learn to design and develop health care IT application components, and gain foundational IT knowledge to support smarter decision making.

• Healthcare Administration - BS (Advanced Start and BS to MHA Options Available)
• Healthcare Administration - MHA

Creighton University is Ranked #1 Regional Universities (Midwest) and #1 Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

IT Management / Healthcare Information Management
Master of Science

Technology touches every aspect of business, and graduates of the MS-ITM program are prepared to set the pace, bringing a values-centered perspective to the business world. The course of study provides a synergy between technology and management and is designed to meet the demands of the constantly evolving business-technology environment. Students will learn to be responsible leaders who will shape how information technology drives business success.

To control expenditures and continue providing quality health care, many medical facilities are turning to information technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Health Information Management concentration of the online MS in Information Technology Management program combines business, IT and health care knowledge to create leaders who can manage the implementation of these IT solutions.