Types of Equipment Used by Health Information Technicians
May 30, 2012
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Health Information Technicians and Managers utilize many skills working with a variety of equipment to ensure that patients’ information is complete, accurate and confidential. The primary equipment the technician uses is a computer.
Basic computer skills are not enough to succeed in a career as a Health Information Technician, however. The technician must have computer hardware- and software-specific skills related to the job.
Computer Hardware for a Health Information Technician
In addition to having general computer skills, a successful Health Information Technician will be at least familiar with these pieces of computer equipment.
- 10-Key Data Entry – For rapidly inputting data into spreadsheets and databases
- Barcode reader – For scanning medications, records or other data sources to load into a computer
- Microfilm viewer – For analyzing microfilm documents
- Scanner and copier – For producing digital or multiple hard copies of records and reports
Computer Software for a Health Information Technician
Besides using computer equipment, a successful Health Information Technician will be familiar and proficient with these or similar software programs.
- Database software – For searching and retrieving medical history information
- Document management software – To track and store digital documents or images of hard-copy documents
- Medical software – For retrieving diagnostic, therapeutic, and other health information
- Word processing software – For creating and editing written documents
A career as a Health Information Technician requires skilled technical computer knowledge. A successful technician will be both familiar and proficient with clinical health-related computer software and hardware. Get started on your education by pursuing a health information technology program.
This article is presented by Briarcliffe College. Contact us today if you’re interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program from Briarcliffe College.
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The Health Information Management concentration is considered a degree completion concentration, and will require a student to have successfully completed an associate’s degree or diploma in medical billing and coding, health information management or be certified practitioner in a related field.