Health Information Technology Degree in California

You can study for an associate’s of health information technology degree, or opt for a certificate program that will teach you the essentials of this field. Coursework can include health information systems, communication, quality assessment, medical coding, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, medical insurance and billing practices, and heath information management. These programs will help you develop the professional skills you need to work in various information management positions in a healthcare clinic, hospital, or other facility. Entry-level jobs in the IT department and records management are available to those graduates with a health information technology degree in California.

Kaplan College

Associate
Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology
San Diego

DeVry University

Associate
Associate - Health Information Technology: Earn your associate degree in Health Information Technology from DeVry University, and you'll be prepared to join one of the 20 occupations projected to grow fastest through 2012*. This Health Information Technology degree program follows a curriculum based on current associate degree entry-level competencies outlined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Other programs available at DeVry University: Associate-Health Information Technology
Pomona, Long Beach, Sherman Oaks

American Career College

Associate
Health Information Technology
Anaheim

Carrington College California

Certificate, Associate
Health Information Technology
San Jose, Emeryville, Antioch, Pleasant Hill, Citrus Heights, San Leandro, Sacramento

The Importance of Health IT in Healthcare Today

With the abundance of computers comes an increased need computer professionals. Hospitals have even upgraded and gone from pencils and a few computers to a hospital full of computers. Many departments use computers to communicate with other departments, and their pharmacies. There was a time that computers connected through modems, but now use high speed Internet. Many hospital systems that connect their entire departments using a hospital information system (HIS). This computer software is used by the entire hospital that integrates all the departments, but usually does not include their radiology department.

What is a Health Information Technologist?

A health information technologist is computer professional that fixes computers and equipment specifically in the healthcare field.

Computer Systems Within Healthcare

The radiology field is also often completely digitized and will use picture archival and communication system (PACS) software. Most radiology modalities create their films digitally. A radiologist will read their films on their computer screens. Often times they have the ability to communicate with a hospitals HIS, or a self standing imaging center will have an radiology information system (RIS) very similar to a HIS, but is just radiology. It will include scheduling, accounting, billing, etc. Often one system can talk to the other to save many added steps for the front desk or other departments.

There are many other systems as well as software that a health information technologist needs to be aware of. They are in high demand for training, troubleshooting, and implementing new systems. Health information technology can be a fast paced type of career, as they are not just dealing with computers, but the people who are caring for sick patients. The information they handle on a daily basis is highly confidential, and it is their job to make sure that the information stays private. Only those who are required to see the information are given the proper rights. Many of these systems are all integrated, so a health information technologist needs to ensure the systems security. Major fines and lawsuits can be filed if the patient's information isn't well protected.

Job Opportunities

Computers have made day-to-day operations a lot easier for most professions. Due to the increase use of computers in healthcare it has created a high demand for healthcare information technologists. A career in healthcare information technology is a promising career, and growing in popularity. The competition is growing, and the need to have additional schooling in a specific area is becoming necessary to succeed.

A healthcare information technologist's position is a very important field within huge hospitals to small doctor's offices. Many hospitals and doctor's offices have gone digital to save money with paper, and room. It's much easier to store 25,000 patient charts on a computer server, than in a huge medical records room. The ease, speed, and convenience of going digital have been a huge cost savings to most facilities. This advantage has increased the need and importance of healthcare information technology.

Other cities in California

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online Health Information Technology Degree programs.

Kaplan University

• AAS in Health Information Technology
• BS in Health Information Management

OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA

School Locations

• Display all Locations

• Hide Locations
• Anaheim
• Antioch
• Citrus Heights
• Emeryville
• Long Beach
• Pleasant Hill
• Pomona
• Sacramento
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Leandro
• Sherman Oaks

Health Information Technology Degree Degrees

Top Schools

Other Categories

Find your school

More About Medical Training

Interesting Infomation