Medical Billing and Coding Career
Every single day, there are more and more people looking for a career change. Now, there is an answer in the medical profession. The abundance of growth in the medical sector has prompted the ongoing need for medical billers and coders. This essential part of the medical industry has opened up many new opportunities for those in search of a stable future. Options are far and wide for those who decide on a career in medical billing and coding.
General Overview
Medical billing and coding should not be confused as being the same job. Medical billers serve a different function as medical coders. Some companies require one employee do provide both job functions. However, there are plenty of companies that hire medical billers separately from medical coders.
The job of a medical biller involves the billing process in a health care facility. Medical billers use medical codes, given to them by medical coders, to put together claims. These claims are itemized and sent to insurance companies. But there is much more to being a medical biller in Illinois.
Medical billers are often required to spend time interacting with both patients and insurance companies. Any discrepancies with a claim are directed to medical billers. As a result, medical billers handle many claim disputes, appeals and the explanation of insurance policy guidelines.
It takes strong communication skills to be an effective medical biller. The job also requires a broad knowledge of insurance policy specifics as medical billers need to be able to explain all the fine details to patients.
Medical coders are responsible for translating medical services into codes. These services are documented in reports, notes and medical transcriptions. It is the function of a medical coder to take all those documents and translate them into codes.
Medical coders are skilled in the health care coding system which is the main tool they use on a daily basis. An expansive knowledge of those codes is a prerequisite in order to work as a medical coder in Illinois. This is also a job that can done independently as medical coders are capable of meeting deadlines on their own.
Medical coders in Illinois are typically very good with numbers. They also possess a keen attention to detail as there is an ongoing need to be extremely precise. There is less personal interaction among medical coders, although they have been known to deal with physicians and other health care professionals on a regular basis. Medical coders are also proficient with the computer software used to assist them in the process of coding.
Education Requirements
Those looking to delve into a career in medical billing and coding must first acquire a high school diploma or GED equivalency. Candidates should have some experience in science and algebra as it helps transition to the coursework. There are no post-secondary credits needed to begin the educational process as a medical biller and coder.
Meeting State License Requirements
No state requires its medical billers and coders to obtain a specific license. While there are specific formats and guidelines to follow, state medical boards have not initiated any type of licensing mandates. There has also been no discussions indicating that will change anytime in the near future.
Medical Billing and Coding Certification Requirements
There is specific training that needs to be completed before companies will hire a new medical biller and coder. The precise nature of the job requires that all medical billers and coders be well versed in their particular area of expertise. Certification programs are offered by technical institutes, community colleges and vocational schools throughout the country. These programs teach all the intricacies of medical billing and coding.
Within these program curriculums, students learn extensive medical terminology along with proper insurance protocol. Several procedures involving medical billing and coding are also taught and are combined with the proper ways to manage computer databases.
States do not make it a requirement for medical billers and coders to hold a certification, although most employers will demand some type of formal training before hiring new employees. An Associate’s Degree also doubles as an acceptable form of certification. The importance of this job typically deters employers from hiring any non-certified medical billers and coders.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies medical billers and coders as medical records and health information technicians. It also lists their average salary at $34,410 per year. Salaries differ according to state as some annual pay rates can exceed $48,000. The job outlook is very promising for medical billers and coders as there is expected to be 30,000 new jobs in the next decade.
Medical Assistant Career
Your future could take an exciting turn by choosing a career that is in high demand. Starting out a career as a medical assistant awaits those in search of stability. The medical industry has a continual need for new employees and becoming and medical assistants are among that contingent. There is no reason to delay a future filled with job stability and competitive pay as you can begin your journey as a medical assistant right away.
General Overview
The job of a medical assistant can be very exciting as it requires assisting physicians and other health care professionals in numerous ways. This particular job is also exciting because it involves both the clinical and administrative side of the profession. Medical assistants provide valuable clinical services, such as taking vital signs and administering shots. However, they also assist in a clerical capacity with tasks like updating medical records and filling out charts. For those reasons, a medical assistant has the qualifications to work in most kinds of medical offices. They are cross trained to carry out a variety of duties.
The clinical portion of the job consists of more hands-on work like assisting physicians during a patient exam. Medical assistants are also the ones who prep patients for their exams. On occasion, medical assistants will carry out some basic lab tests and administer medications. Medical assistants can even draw blood and take electrocardiograms on patients.
The administrative portion of the job involves a good deal of clerical work, which includes coding insurance forms and overseeing the billing process. Medical assistants will also deal with customers by answering phones and scheduling appointments. They are also the ones who set up hospital admissions and lab testing when needed.
The multitude of different job tasks requires medical assistants to be very versatile in the workplace. That means having the ability to work with computers, be proficient in customer service and also handle duties in a clinical capacity. Medical assistants have come to be reliable, accountable and also pay a close attention to detail. Medical assistants perform these various duties with a meticulous nature to ensure the utmost efficiency. Hospitals, medical centers and private practices are just a few of the places that employ medical assistants.
Medical Assistant Education Requirements
The minimum education requirements to become a medical assistant includes a high school diploma or GED equivalency. It is not necessary to obtain any post-secondary credits or additional training to start out an education as a medical assistant.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
A medical assistant earns an average salary of $30,590 per year in the United States. Location plays an important part in salary while experience counts as well. Some top end medical assistants earn more than $43,000 annually. There is a growing need for medical assistants as the number of new jobs is expected to increase by more than 27% by the year 2022. That kind of demand has enabled medical assistants to choose where they would like to work in many instances.
Meeting State Licensing Requirements
There are no licensing requirements to work as a medical assistant anywhere in the United States. While there are some standards placed on the clinical parts of the job, they are not intensive or invasive enough to warrant a state license of any kind. Medical assistants do not have to apply to any state medical board in order to begin working in this field.
Medical Assistant Certification Requirements
To become a certified medical assistant (CMA), one must complete a certification program offered by a post-secondary school. These programs are featured in a number of vocational schools or technical institutes. These certification programs usually last less than a year and in order to earn a passing mark, students must grasp the necessary skills taught within the curriculum.
Medical assistants learn the clinical and administrative components of the job, which are very different in nature. Administrative skills are taught through coursework that involves computer proficiency, health care documentation, billing processes and more. The clinical part of the training includes actual field work in clinics. That is combined with a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as medical terminology. Students are also taught how to remove stitches and draw blood.
Satisfying curriculum requirements will result in the awarding of a certification, which can then be used to gain employment. While certifications are not mandatory, they greatly increase job prospects and can also demand higher pay rates.
An Associate’s Degree also serves as an ample form of certification as there are many two-year colleges that offer specializations in Medical Assisting. Other certifications are available through the American Association of Medical Assistants, although it is not an exam that can be mastered without adequate training. There will need to be an extended period of study before taking this exam, which also enhances job prospects.
Medical Administrative Career
An exciting new career as a Medical Administrative Assistant can open up a whole new world of possibilities. The path to becoming a Medical Administrative Assistant is one that will not take an extended amount of schooling or one that is filled with high tuition costs. Starting out on this new career path is easy to do and it can quickly lead to a rewarding future that is filled with great benefits, flexible work hours and competitive pay.
General Job Overview
A medical administrative assistant plays in an integral role in the day-to-day operation of a medical facility. Patients generally encounter a medical administrative assistant as soon as they enter a doctor’s office, hospital or health care facility. This encounter involves checking patients in and getting all their paperwork in order, in addition to detailing their medical histories.
Medical administrative assistants also compile medical charts and records to better assist physicians. There is sometimes the added responsibility of making sure lab results are transferred to the appropriate place. Medical administrative assistants handle a wide range of responsibilities when it comes to inputting data into computer systems. If there is any kind of information vital to a patient’s history or situation, it is usually documented with the help of a medical administrative assistant.
Due to the diversity of job responsibilities, medical administrative assistants are capable of handling a variety of tasks. Scheduling appointments and processing payments require precision and a close attention to detail, two common traits of a medical administrative assistant. People skills are also very valuable in this type of profession as patients are always looking for an effective means of communication before seeing a doctor.
Being as medical administrative assistants deal in customer service, there is a high level of professionalism that exists at all times. Physicians and health care professionals count on medical administrative assistants to begin the health care process. Furthermore, the last person a patient typically encounters on a visit is a medical administrative assistant, who can significantly impact the overall patient experience.
The work setting for medical administrative assistants vary as they can often be found working in hospitals, clinics, private practices and research labs. Some of those facilities are fast paced while others are open 24 hours a day. Medical administrative assistants are up to the task in each of those situations as they are entrusted with a wide array of important job duties.
Job Prospects and Potential Pay
The average U.S. salary for medical administrative assistants is $33,040 on a yearly basis. Those with more experience can expect an increase on that yearly average while those administrative assistants working in the area of research can expect to make well over $40,000 per year. There has also been a steady increase in job growth for medical administrative assistants as that number is expected to increases more than 10% in the next few years.
Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Requirements
Companies looking to hire new medical administrative assistants look very favorably on applicants who have earned some kind of certification. A medical administrative assistant certification is available through vocational schools or online training programs that specialize in teaching the essentials in this field. Certification programs can last anywhere from six to twelve months and they cover all the details involved with being a medical administrative assistant.
Certification programs teach students about the functions of various health care facilities while also highlighting the medical terminology and abbreviations used in these environments. There is also a comprehensive approach towards understanding the regulations and guidelines that come with processing health care information. Medical coding is also part of most curriculums that conclude with a medical administrative assistant certification.
A two-year Associate’s Degrees in Applied Science also cover the skills needed to perform the job of a medical administrative assistant. Additionally, a host of nationally recognized certification exams are offered to those looking to enhance their credentials. Completion of a medical administrative assistant certification goes a long way towards being able to pass a nationally-recognized exam, although it is not necessary to acquire a job.
Education Requirements
The required level of education needed to begin educational training as a medical administrative assistant is a high school diploma or GED equivalency. A proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office also comes in handy during the educational process.
Meeting State Licensing Requirements
There are no state licensing procedures that medical administrative assistants need to follow in order to gain employment. While they work in the medical field, administrative assistants are not performing any kind of medical procedures. Therefore, employment can be obtained without applying for any kind of state license.
Medical Transcriptionist Career
If you would like a career in the healthcare field, yet prefer not to work directly with patients, medical transcribing is a good career option. The work of a medical transcriptionist involves transcribing medical recordings from healthcare professionals. Using a headset and foot pedal, a transcriptionist must listen to voice recordings of physicians and other healthcare professionals, and translate these into written form. The job also involves reviewing and editing medical records. As a medical transcriptionist, you will play a vital role in healthcare documentation. Medical transcriptionists enjoy a rewarding career with good job prospects.
Education Requirements
Career training to become a medical transcriptionist is offered at the postsecondary level. As an initial step, you need to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to apply to a training institution. Many community colleges and vocational schools across the country offer training in the field. Some schools also offer online courses. Training programs may be at the certificate level or associate degree programs.
Certificate programs typically take one year to complete, while associate degree programs are designed to be completed in two years. Students take courses in anatomy, Business English, healthcare documentation, medical terminology, ICT in records keeping, legal issues in healthcare documentation, physiology, and risk management. Students also learn how to use word processing software to perform transcription work. There is great emphasis on grammar and punctuation as competence in these areas promotes efficiency in transcribing. Most medical transcriptionist training programs incorporate an internship program for students. An internship offers students with the opportunity to build vital hands-on transcription experience.
Certification Requirements
Certification for medical transcriptionists is voluntary. However, as in most fields, certification attests to professional competence. Industry certifications are offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), which awards the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and the Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) credentials. The RHDS certification is ideal for those just entering the field, those who hold minimal work experience, and those working in a small environment such as a doctor’s office or a clinic. Medical transcriptionists with more extensive work experience should aim for the CHDS certification. To earn certification, one must pass a written exam and practical test.
Licensing Requirements
Licensing requirements vary by state, hence it is best to check with the professional licensing board in the state where you plan to work. However, licensing requirements may relate to education, testing and professional experience. By meeting the stipulated licensing requirements for your state, you can look forward to a rewarding career in healthcare documentation.
Continuing Education and Staying Current
The medical transcription field is a dynamic arena as medical terminology is always changing. To re-certify, RHDSs must complete a re-credentialing course and pass the accompanying exam before the expiry date of their current certification. To maintain their certification, CHDSs must participate in professionally relevant continuing education activities, every three years.
Health Information Management Careers
Patient records are extremely important in the healthcare field. Whenever a patient is treated, a record is created and results in a documentation of the encounter. This pertains to the documentation of patient symptoms, exam results, x-ray reports, treatment plans and more. Advances in medical record keeping has enabled this information to be stored electronically. There are professionals entrusted with acquiring and maintaining this information and they are referred to as health information management (HIM) professionals.
Health information continues to become more advanced as electronic health records have made the entire system computerized. This means that physicians have the ability to share records in a much more accessible way. However, there is a need to manage that information as well. Health information management professionals use the newest technology to ensure the accuracy, completion and protection of those records.
During this process, HIM professionals use information technology combined with both science and business skills as well. That allows them to play a unique role in the field of medicine. The performance of efficient HIM professionals allows them to play a key role in helping medical facilities carry out their daily operations. Health Information Management professionals can hold various job titles, which include the following:
- Physician practice manager
- Electronic health records manager
- Medical records auditor
- Medical coder
- Medical records technician
- Registered health information technician
- Insurance claims analyst
- Electronic health records developer
All of those jobs can take place in a number of work settings. HIM professionals are often found working in hospitals, nursing homes, private physician practices, public health agencies and home health care agencies. The services of an HIM professional is also required at many insurance companies.
Education for a Health Information Management Professional
In order to become a Health Information Management professional, an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management must be attained. Each college has different admissions standards for those looking to enter this field of study. A high school diploma or GED is required when applying, while some colleges will require placement tests or minimum SAT/ACT scores. Each state is responsible for handling the licensing of all its medical professionals, although health information management professionals are not required to obtain a license. Various certifications are also available through a host of associations offering this distinction.
Once enrolled in an HIM program at the college level, students learn about health informatics, health information systems, health data, healthcare management and more. Those who embark on a two-year degree will have different job opportunities from those who earn a four-year degree. For example, a Bachelor’s Degree could earn graduates an eventual position as a department director, consultant, data quality manager, or system manager. Those management positions lead to an increase in pay as HIM professionals with a four-year degree have a higher earning potential.
Those students who complete a four-year degree typically look to attain credentialing as a RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) or RHIA credential. This also requires passing an RHIA exam upon graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree. Meanwhile, individuals who complete a two-year degree program generally look to obtain credentialing as a RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician). This also requires a passing score on an exam given following graduation.
Salary/Job Outlook
The average salary of a Health Information Manager checks in at $53,438 annually. However, some HIM professionals make more than $73,000 per year. Because of the variety of duties, that pay scale can fluctuate. HIM professionals in a management position have reported making annual salaries over $90,000 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 17% growth among all health services managers over the next seven years. The advances in electronic health records have also caused a surge in HIM jobs. As these health records become more complex, there is a need for more qualified individuals to maintain them. The healthcare industry is booming, which has led to more job openings every year.
Characteristics of a Health Information Management Professional
Health Information Management professionals possess an array of skills and that starts with communication. HIM professionals are required to communicate with several departments and need to be effective in using various forms of communication. Throughout that communication, HIM professionals also need to show themselves as being knowledgeable. That means having a firm understanding of the International Classification of Diseases, diagnostic methods, and more.
The technical side of the job requires a broad understanding of several computer applications. All of these skills must be accompanied by an eye for detail as well. That provides a tremendous advantage when adhering to policies or recognizing the proper use of coding. Ultimately, an HIM professional is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of patient health records. That could be something as simple as a physical exam or something more detailed, like a radiology procedure. This makes HIM professionals very thorough and dependable, particularly since they play such an important role in the overall healthcare process.
HIM professionals can hold a variety of positions and often connect clinical and administrative operations. This enables them to- find work in a lot of different settings. Furthermore, the role of an HIM professional is expanding, along with the growth of technology. This places a tremendous amount of importance on their particular role as HIM professionals must stay updated on the latest technologies and advances. That means an HIM professional is always learning and evolving, with a desire to continually upgrade their overall font of knowledge.
Healthcare Management Careers
Healthcare management is one of the most rapidly growing fields in the healthcare industry. By entering into this profession, individuals will find an array of job choices that contribute to the everyday functionality of the healthcare system. There are certifications, Associate’s Degrees and Bachelor’s Degrees in healthcare management that can lead to a long career with competitive pay and job stability. Each position is largely dependent upon one’s level of education and experience. These jobs do not involve providing medical care, but are inherent to the day-to-day functioning of a healthcare practice.
Types of Healthcare Management Positions
There are a wide variety of healthcare management positions available in the medical field. Some positions require more educational training than others. There is the opportunity to enter this profession at a lower-level management role, while there is also a chance to progress to a higher-paying, upper-level management position. Here is a look at a just a few healthcare management positions:
Medical Office Administrator – This position involves running the clerical and administrative side of a healthcare practice. This also involves customer service duties as medical office administrators routinely answer phone calls and speak with insurance companies. Looking over contracts and monitoring accounts are two more routine tasks.
Medical Executive Assistant – These individuals are involved with the development and management of projects and sometimes find themselves writing a number of grant proposals. There is also a good deal of communications involved.
Public Health Information Officer – There is a wide range of responsibilities for this role, including the development of educational campaigns, as well as handling the media relationships with a health institution.
Health Services Manager – These managers are in charge of planning and directing medical health services. This could involve the management of a department, clinical area or an entire facility.
Healthcare management positions can also include that of a health human resources manager, patient services manager, nurse administration manager, and managed care executive. For higher level management positions, additional education is required.
Certification/Education
There are a number of educational options for those looking to embark upon a health management career. The quickest route to landing a healthcare management position is by earning a certification from an accredited post-secondary school. However, the positions open to healthcare managers with only a certification are limited while additional training is also required. Individuals can enhance their credentials by obtaining an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management.
This education will cover health care policy and the business aspect of healthcare management. The respective curriculums also cover risk management, healthcare planning and quality assurance while also taking into consideration the numerous policies that influence healthcare. An education in healthcare management is a way to start a career in a supervisory or managerial role in the medical field. However, these positions do not involve providing actual patient care.
The more advanced the degree, the more in-depth the curriculum delves into healthcare management. Graduate programs are available as those who earn a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management have the opportunity to attain high level positions, such as hospital executives and clinical directors.
Personal Characteristics of Healthcare Management Workers
There are several characteristics that are evident in those in the healthcare management profession. One of the most essential characteristics is the ability to exhibit excellent communication skills. Since healthcare management requires the involvement of many professionals, there is a priority on sound communication.
A premium is also placed on the organizational skills of those working in healthcare management. With so much going on, it is important to be able to organize programs, tasks and initiatives so that they function accordingly. Those constant flurry of activity can also create pressure-filled situations, meaning that healthcare management professionals must be able to work under pressure. This can be a fast-paced work environment.
Healthcare Management Work Settings
There are a large number of workplaces that are home to those in2 the healthcare management profession. Hospitals, private physician practices and nursing facilities all require the services of healthcare management professionals. There is also the potential to work for consulting firms, public health departments, and research institutions. Meanwhile, some of the more common places of employment include health insurance organizations, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
Healthcare Management Salary/Job Outlook
There really is a broad range of salaries for those entering into the healthcare management line of work. Smaller scale practice managers earn typically earn an average salary of $79,000 per year. Meanwhile, those who have upgraded their training and experience could step into a position as a health informatics manager and that average salary checks in at $89,000 annually. There are also higher level management positions, which include hospital administrators who report an average salary of $110,000 per year. A lot of other factors go into the annual salary as a facility’s budget plays a major role in the determination of healthcare management professional’s pay rate.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the top 10% of healthcare managers, who have earned a minimum of a Master’s Degree, earn an average salary of $144,000 per year. These statistics also indicate that the size of a facility plays an influential role in salary. Based on that criteria, the BLS determined that healthcare management professionals working in a practice with less than six doctors earn an average of salary of $86,459 per year.
The job demand for healthcare management professionals is increasing due to the ever-expanding nature of the healthcare profession in general. The BLS predicts that there will be a 17% job growth in this industry by the year 2024. To keep pace with the rise in employment throughout the overall healthcare industry, new healthcare management positions are opening up at an increased rate.
Medical Terminology Jobs
Having a firm grasp of medical terminology is integral to many jobs in the medical profession and these positions are available in an array of forms. There are many important roles beyond that of a doctor or nurse as the medical field depends on all kinds of skillsets. An education in medical terminology will prepare individuals for different types of roles while also preparing them to advance their careers and education. Most entry-level healthcare jobs require individuals to somewhat fluent in medical terminology.
This involves the ability to identify a multitude of words used in the medical profession. That includes being able to define these words, in addition to knowing their appropriate abbreviations. Many of these words can be defined by understanding the root words, prefixes and suffixes. Being able to break down those words using those components is a skill that is used every day by many individuals in the medical field.
Medical terminology also applies to the type of language used in a medical setting, such as hospitals and medical offices. Medical terminology also covers all the systems in the human body, such as the cardiovascular, skeletal, nervous and muscle systems. Other terms pertain to anatomy and physiology. Spelling and pronunciation are covered as well as the proper use of medical terms.
Medical terminology is widespread and is also ever-evolving, which means that it is important to stay updated. For that reason, those who use medical terminology in their line of work are expected to stay current. However, the ability to recognize and define medical terms can be the beginning of a rewarding career in the medical profession.
Medical Terminology Jobs
There are several jobs that demand the use of medical terminology and not all take years of training to achieve. There are many occupations in the medical profession that require a limited amount of training and they are as follows:
Medical Transcriptionist – A medical transcriptionist is responsible for taking a physician’s oral notes and transcribing them into written form. Even though this requires typing skills, it also involves the ability to recognize medical terminology. That requires the ability to make sense out of recordings of emergency room reports, patient histories, x-ray reports, summary discharges and other types of medical notes.
Medical Biller – A medical biller is entrusted with facilitating the billing process and that involves more than just itemizing the services rendered on a bill. It also requires the frequent use of medical terminology. Accuracy is extremely important in this line of work as the wrong medical information could lead to a claims dispute.
Medical Assistant – To become a medical assistant, one of the most basic skills is to gain a sound understanding of medical terminology. There are several ways to earn a medical assistant certification, although there is not one mandated or universal certification. However, medical assistants need to be fluent in medical terminology.
Health Information Technician – A health information technician works with medical records, which requires accuracy. One way to be very efficient in this role is to be well-versed in medical terminology. One of the main functions of a health information technician is to manage and organize data, which means facilitating medical terminology is a basic job task.
Medical Coder – A medical coder needs to be extremely well-versed in medical terminology while also being knowledgeable in the various coding used during the billing process. This requires a separate type of training, although medical terminology is a primary tool used by coders on a daily basis.
Medical Terminology Education
There are no prerequisite educational requirements needed to start out an educational path in medical terminology. Gaining admission to various medical terminology programs is typically a simple process. That education then requires a good deal of memorization, written work and practice using medical terms. Many post-secondary schools offer medical terminology programs as they are frequently available at community colleges, technical institutes, vocational schools and career centers. Most of those institutions require that applicants be at least 18 years of age.
Many medical education programs teach medical terminology as part of its overall curriculum.
Certification Requirements
A certification in medical terminology is awarded upon the completion of a training program offered by a post-secondary school. The length of these programs can last a few months while some are as long as six months in duration. During that time, each respective curriculum is taught and while each one of those may differ, they are centered on the same principles. A medical terminology certification can then be used to obtain employment. Some jobs will require additional certifications, although it is up to the hiring company to decide what credentials are acceptable. There is no state licensing for most medical terminology jobs, although more advanced positions require more training and subsequent certifications.
Starting off with a medical terminology certification can also be a stepping stone to other positions in the medical field. Some companies will train employees on job specifics, although there is a need to have a foundation in medical terminology. Earning a certificate could be a pathway to a long-term career that is filled with competitive pay and job stability for years to come. Medical terminology is also a major component within other certification programs, such as medical coding, medical billing and medical transcription.
Salary/Job Outlook
There are a wide-range of salaries for medical professionals who use medical terminology as an everyday part of their job. According to the U.S. Board of Labor Statistics, a health information technician earns an average salary of $38,040 per year. The job growth is also higher than average as it is anticipated to increase by 15% by the year 2024. That means that those who acquire a medical terminology certificate have access to a lot of entry-level jobs that offer competitive pay. Most health care information technicians work in a physician’s office or health care facility. The non-stop growth of the healthcare industry continues to make it a favorable place to work with longevity, benefits and a steady paycheck that can provide peace of mind.