What is 'Health Information Technology'?
Health information technology allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. A health information technology professional is someone who is qualified to support the implementation and support of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), information exchange across health care providers and public health authorities, and the redesign of workflows within the health care settings to gain the quality and efficiency benefits of EHRs.
Check Out What 'the Morning Blend' Has to Say About MCC Health Technology!
MCC Health Information Technology Video
Jobs and Salary Expectations
Projections indicate that career opportunities in health information technology are tremendous. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that job opportunities for health IT professionals will be highly favorable in the coming years. This field is projected to grow much faster than average. Health IT job opportunities can be found in hospitals and other healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, medical software companies, consulting firms, public health organizations, government agencies, insurance companies, and academia.
National: Even though the responsibilities are great, medical informatics professionals are well rewarded. According to Indeed.com, Health Informatics Analysts earned, on average, $81,000 in 2008 with a salary range of $34,000 to over $110,000. The US Department of Labor estimates a 49% job growth in health information and informatics.
- Healthcare Informatics was named one of the top careers in U.S. News & World Report
- 10,000 informatics professionals will be needed by the year 2010, according to the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
- Health informatics is the #1 emerging industry job opportunity on CareerBuilder.com
- Electronic medical records tops ECRI's Top 7 Health Plan IT Trends to Watch
State of Nebraska: MCC was recently named as recipient of a grant from ARRA/HHS specifically to provide HIT training statewide to meet the growing need for workers in this area. According to Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII), as of April 2010, over 1.5 million patients have registered with some 500 physicians using the electronic health records system. The program rolled out in July 2009. Growth in this new area of Health Information Technology has been rapid. By the year 2014, every medical office will need to have the capacity to file electronically. NeHII in particular and the State of Nebraska in general were recently recognized in the new publication, Paper Kills 2.0 as leading in the area of HIT implementation. Projected growth figures, then, will likely be above national trends.
Scholarship Opportunity
To apply for scholarship funds to pay for tuition and fees, download the application. Application criteria are included on the application as well as where to send the application. The grant funds have been extended to March 31, 2013.
Program Description
Metropolitan Community College offers a Specialist Diploma in Health Information Technology
Graduation Information
Program Full-Time Faculty
Credit Classes and Registration
Close Disable
