Health Information Technicians are Guardians of Medical Information

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Health Information Technicians are guardians of some of our most private and important information. They analyze and evaluate highly sensitive data in health records at hospitals, medical offices, clinics, insurance companies and research centers. They ensure that the information they receive is kept confidential and secure.
Wallace State Community College’s Health Information Technology (HIT) program prides itself on training trusted professionals who perform these tasks with accuracy and discretion. Their success in that effort is proven by the 100 percent satisfaction rate reported by employers who have hired Wallace State HIT graduates.
“We are keepers of information, guarding confidentiality and security of medical information,” said Donna Stanley, HIT program director at Wallace State. “The data that we collect, analyze and report can impact quality of care when used properly.”
The Wallace State HIT program boasts a high passage rates for graduates taking the national exam to become registered health information technicians (RHITs). Only graduates of CAHIIM (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education) accredited programs are eligible to take the RHIT exam. Wallace State Community College is one of only two CAHIIM-accredited programs in the state of Alabama.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 22 percent increase in the demand for health information technicians from 2012 through 2022, as the demand for health services increase due to an aging population. More tests, treatments and procedures will mean more claims for reimbursement from insurance companies.
The median annual wage for health information technicians was $34,160 nationwide as of May 2012. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,500 and the top 10 percent earned $56,200.
Wallace State’s HIT program offers several options for students interested in the program. All classes are taught online and there is also a part-time option. Students interested in entering the HIT program in the fall of 2016 are encouraged to enroll this fall to complete general education classes required for entry into the program.
For more information about the Health Information Technology program at Wallace State, contact program director Donna Stanley, at 256.352.8327 for advising and to develop a completion plan.
Registration for Fall 2015 is currently under way, with classes beginning Aug. 13. Visit www.wallacestate.edu to view the current schedule and catalog and for information about the programs offered at Wallace State Com