(ABILENE, Texas) – One thing that many people should not have to worry about when they visit a doctor’s office is the accuracy of their medical information.
The role of a medical records specialist is to ensure that patient data is accurate and to keep that information secure and private, according to Sarah Brooks, director of alignment and program team lead for Health Information Technology at Texas State Technical College.
TSTC offers the program totally online to help fill this growing industry demand. According to onetonline.org, the need will be 20% over the next few years.
“The curriculum covers everything from electronic health records and medical coding to privacy laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act),” Brooks said. “Students take courses in medical terminology, coding systems, data management and health care law, with hands-on experience using virtual electronic health record (EHR) labs. It’s all about getting students ready to handle real-world health care data needs.”
The college’s Associate of Applied Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, which means it meets national industry standards and qualifies graduates to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
Recently Brooks discussed the program and why highly trained medical records technicians are important in the workforce.
What types of technical and professional skills do students typically graduate with that are especially valued in Texas health care settings?
By the time students finish the program, they’ve learned a lot of valuable skills, like using EHR systems, coding, understanding the health care billing and reimbursement process, making sure health care data is accurate and secure, navigating rules and regulations around privacy and compliance, and communicating effectively and solving problems.
What are some of the most common job roles that graduates from this program go into in Texas?
There are quite a few options. Some of the most common roles include a health information technician, who manages and organizes patient records, ensures data accuracy and handles coding for reimbursement. A medical records specialist focuses on compiling and maintaining patient files. Medical coders translate medical diagnoses and procedures into codes for billing and analysis. The health information technologist advises on computerized health care systems, analyzes clinical data and supports EHR implementation. The clinical systems analyst troubleshoots and optimizes EHR systems, requiring knowledge of programming and system hardware. A medical billing specialist prepares insurance claims and manages reimbursements, often combined with coding roles in health care settings. The health care IT support specialist provides technical support for EHR systems and network infrastructure. With experience, some grads even move into leadership or management roles.
How do you help students prepare for the job market in Texas?
We try to give students everything they need to feel confident walking into a job interview. That means:
— Hands-on training and real-world projects
— Practicum placements at local health care sites
— Career services such as resume help, mock interviews and one-on-one coaching
— Guest speakers and networking events with people working in the field
We also encourage students to connect with professional organizations, which is great for job leads and staying up to date.
How does the college support students in preparing for certification exams that are recognized and valued in Texas?
We support students who want to take certification exams like the RHIT or CCA (Certified Coding Associate). There are review courses, practice tests and study guides. These certifications can give students a major edge when applying for jobs in Texas.
Registration for TSTC’s summer and fall semesters is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
