Health Professions: Health Information Management FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Registered Health Information Technician?
   An RHIT is a nationally recognized, credentialed professional - an important part of health care.  RHIT’s are the experts who secure, analyze, integrate and manage information that guides the health industry.  Doctors, nurses and other health professionals respect the HIM specialist as an authority on health data.  By providing quality information, the RHIT also directly contributes to quality patient care. Because an RHIT combines patient care, management, and technology, an HIM Professional is recognized as having diverse talents.
2. Where does an RHIT find employment?
   With expanding uses of health care information, RHIT’s are finding opportunities for employment in the following areas:
   ·    Ambulatory care
   ·    Outpatient care
   ·    Long term care
   ·    Mental health facilities
   ·    Hospice centers
   ·    Law offices
   ·    Pharmaceutical companies
   ·    State and Federal health agencies
   ·    Insurance companies
   ·    Centers for Research
   ·    Medical software firms
3. What type of salary can an RHIT expect to receive?
   The salary depends upon the area of the country, the type of job responsibilities, additional education, and the number of years in the field. The beginning salaries for new graduates, on the average, will be between $18,000 to 22,000; with a potential of earning $28,000 to 31,000 within a few years.
4. What types of positions are available for RHIT’s?
   There are many diverse positions available for RHIT’s.  Based on your skills and interests you may choose:
   ·    Coding specialist
   ·    HIM Department Director
   ·    HIM Systems Manager
   ·    Health Data Analyst
   ·    Quality Improvement Analyst
   ·    Tumor Registrar
5. What personal characteristics are needed to be successful in this field?
   First and foremost, a person must be detail oriented and organized, must like diversity, take an investigative approach to their work, be highly motivated, self-disciplined, as well as be able to problem-solve and think critically.  A professional attitude is a MUST!
6. Is there a four-year degree in HIM?
   Yes, there are many colleges across the country that offer a BS degree in Health Information Administration.  Students may also continue their education by earning a masters degree in Health Information Management.  Earning either degree can increase earning potential up to $65,000 to 100,000.
7. When are classes offered?
   All HIM classes are offered in the evening on the Virginia Beach Campus ONLY.  A few HIM classes are offered online.
8. What is the job outlook for HIM students?
   Employment of health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts, and consumers. 
9. Do the courses have to be taken in the order in which they appear in the curriculum?
   Most HIM courses will need to be taken in the order in which they appear in the curriculum.  Each course prepares you for the next course and is only offered ONCE per year.  You may take any non-HIM course during the semester it appears in the curriculum or before that semester.  It is recommended that non-HIM courses be taken prior to entry into the program if possible to lighten student loads.
10. How many hours per week will I be in class? 
    You will attend classes from 8 to 26 hours per week depending on whether you are completing the program on a full-time of part-time basis.  Of course, if you already have completed some of the required course work, you will attend classes for fewer hours.
11. What classes can I take before I enter the HIM program?
    BIO 141, ENG 111 and MTE 5 or higher are pre-requisites for the program and must be taken prior to admission. Other general education courses, such as SDV 101, HLT 143 and 144 as well as your Humanities, Health/Physical Education elective and Social Science electives may also be taken prior to admission if time permits.
12. How long will it take to complete the HIM program?
    Completion of the program will depend on the number of general education courses the student needs and the number of credit hours the student opts to take each semester.  Once admitted to the program full-time HIM students can complete the required credits in five semesters. Part-time students must take at least two HIM courses per semester and must complete the program within four years.

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