In today’s digital health care landscape, protecting patient information is as essential as providing quality medical care.
Health care no longer exists solely in examination and operating rooms — it lives in servers, networks and databases that require constant protection.
At Texas State Technical College, students in the Health Information Technology program gain skills that extend well beyond coding and data systems.
“Our students learn how data moves through electronic health record systems, which allows them to identify potential vulnerabilities,” said Sarah Brooks, director of alignment and lead instructor of the Health Information Technology program. “They receive training in password protocols, user authentication, access controls and recognize threats such as phishing or ransomware.”
Brooks said students are being prepared for the new landscape in several ways.
“They are trained to interpret and analyze health care data using real-world analytical tools,” she said. “They also learn to identify trends and contribute to decision-making within health care organizations. Safeguarding patient information is a top priority in our program. We have strong instruction in data privacy, HIPAA compliance, best practices for securing electronic health records and ensuring the integrity of health care information systems.”
Alex Alcoser, a Cybersecurity instructor at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, said understanding social engineering is a critical concept for future health information professionals.
“Social engineering involves the psychological manipulation of individuals to persuade them to disclose confidential information,” he said. “In cybersecurity, it’s a common tactic used to exploit human trust to gain unauthorized system access. Health information professionals must remain vigilant against these types of threats.”
As data breaches have consequences comparable to medical errors, the Health Information Technology program is preparing students to serve as trusted guardians of health care information.
According to onetonline.org, health information technologists and medical registrars earn an average salary of $78,060 a year in Texas. The website predicts that the number of such jobs in the state would grow 31% from 2022 to 2032.
In addition to the certificates of completion, the program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology.
Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.