Online Health Information Technology Degree Programs

Online Health Informatics & Health Information Management Degrees

An online health information technology degree, health information management degrees and health informatics degree programs are designed to provide learners with data management and technology skills to work with health information in healthcare settings.

Health information technology and health information management involves the use of information and communication technology to support and improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery and management. When a medical provider puts a patient's medical information into a computer instead of on a paper chart, he or she is using health information technology.

Health information technology also includes electronic health records, personal health records, computer assisted coding, clinical alerts and reminders, database management and system security, computerized support systems for organizational planning and decision making; and other technology that deals with clinical, administrative, and financial information in healthcare settings electronically.

Health Information Technology Degrees - Education

An associate degree program in health information technology includes courses such as basic medical terminology, health services and information systems, disease coding, legal and regulatory issues in health information, and health insurance and reimbursement. Students with an associate degree can go on for a bachelor's degree in health information management. A bachelor's program may lead to a health information systems, clinical laboratory science, business administration and technical management, health services management, health information management, or health informatics degree.

Graduates of health information technology degree programs can pursue a health information management master's degree with course work focused on information systems, databases, system security, data analysis, decision support, and strategic management as well as various elements of IT and business.

Online Health Information Technology & Management Colleges

Kaplan University - offers the following online health information technology degree programs:

• B.S. in Health Information Technology
• A.A.S. in Health Information Technology

Rasmussen College offers the following health information technology degree online:

• Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology

Walden University offers the following online health informatics degree program:

• B.S. in Computer Information Systems - Healthcare Informatics

University of Phoenix - is the largest accredited online college. UOP offers various health care degree online courses, health administration, and online nursing programs, which include the following online health informatics degree programs:

• Master of Health Administration/Informatics
• Master of Science in Nursing/Specialization in Informatics

Capella University - offers the following health information technology degrees online:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology - Health Informatics
• Master of Science (MS) in Information Technology - Health Information Management

DeVry University offers these online health information management degrees:

• Associate in Health Information Technology
• Bachelor in Technical Management - Health Information Management

Penn Foster offers the following health information technology online degree:

• Associates degree in Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology and Management Jobs / Careers

Learners who graduate with degrees in health information technology online, health information management degrees or health informatics find jobs in many areas including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical research laboratories, health insurance companies, medical engineering firms, health information technology companies as well as consulting companies among many other specialized fields.

With training and education in health information technology or health management, you can pursue a number of fast-growing careers, including:

• Healthcare data analyst
• Health policy specialist
• Health records equipment/software salesperson
• Healthcare information technology manager
• Medical coding specialist
• Medical records supervisor
• Medical equipment specialist
• Medical records and health informatics technician
• Data administration
• Consultant in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the mean annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $32,960 in May 2008. While hospitals employed the largest number of these professionals, at $56,320 pharmaceutical manufacturers had the highest annual mean wage. BLS estimates the mean annual wage for medical and health services managers, which includes health information technology managers, at $88,750 in May 2008. Hospitals employed the largest number of health IT managers, but computer and electronics manufacturers paid the highest mean annual wage: $135,930.

As with most healthcare careers employment for health information technology professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average over the next decade. Strong computer skills and at least an associate degree will open doors for entry-level positions.

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