10 Best Online Colleges with Online Associates in Diagnostic Information Technology
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In this modern age, every industry relies on data and technology, and the health sector is no different. Hospitals, care facilities, clinics, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare providers must exchange health information. Researchers and data collectors use health information to interpret and process medical language.
According to the statistics from Verified Market Research, healthcare spending worldwide will reach $665.37 billion in 2028. Health Information Technology is part of these expenditures and estimates.
A dentist, doctor, or other healthcare professional depends on health information and data, so healthcare information technologists are in charge of storing data, analyzing it, and establishing secure communications. They ensure medical privacy regulations are met by maintaining accurate patient records.
Get a Head Start in the Field of Diagnostic Information Technology
Data management and patient care are two of the main focuses of Health Information Technology. If you love these two things, pursuing an online Associate in Diagnostic Information Technology may be right up your alley!
Starting a career in Health Information Technology starts with an associate’s degree. During these two years, you will gain a solid foundation in the healthcare industry. Electives, core courses, and general education are all designed to prepare you for a career in the future. These online associate programs will surely develop your soft skills and Health Information Technology expertise.
An associate degree in Diagnostic Information Technology will provide you with a solid background in technical aspects such as cybersecurity, medical coding, and data analysis. No matter what role you will play after graduation, you can have an entry-level job related to Health Information Technology.
Matching your preferences and goals with the right online associate program is paramount to success. The Diagnostic Information Technology associate degree prepares graduates for healthcare careers, but diverse other job opportunities await you. Furthermore, you can proceed to a bachelor’s degree right after graduation.
The Lowdown
Designed to provide graduates with entry-level skills, the associate degree in Health Information Technology program educates and prepares them for a career. These online programs offer students a comprehensive understanding of healthcare, business, and technology.
Several healthcare settings require Health Information Technology professionals. Their expertise lies in the collection and analysis of health data.
Methodology
If you want to become a health information technologist, an associate degree is your first step. But what exactly do you need to look for in this program?
Each online Associate of Diagnostic Information Technology degree on our list features these academic attributes that indicate a high level of education:
- Provides students with the option of taking courses online or in combination with in-person instruction,
- Introduces students to basic diagnostic health information management education, technology, methodologies, applications, and practices to prepare them for careers in Health Information Technology,
- Prepares students for a bachelor’s degree or further education in related fields,
- Fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and teamwork with other diagnostic information technologists and other key industry players,
- Features highly qualified and experienced professors with solid backgrounds in diagnostic health information,
- Offers financial aid to students studying Diagnostic Information Technology online,
- Accredited by academic organizations that protect the standards of online and face-to-face instruction,
- Recognized by organizations in the healthcare industry where Diagnostic Information Technology is relevant.
Read our Methodology for in-depth details on our ranking process.
10 Best Online Associates in Diagnostic Information Technology
Minnesota State Community & Technical College
The online Associate in Health Information Technology program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College teaches students how to code and maintain electronic medical records. The online health information associate degree at Minnesota State Community and Technical College is dedicated to offering a thorough education of the highest caliber to educate students in a continually evolving field.
Students can prepare for professions in health information management, where experts care for patients by taking care of their medical data. This online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology requires 64 credits.
During this program, students can learn to perform these tasks:
- Securing, integrating, analyzing, and managing health information for patient care,
- Incorporating electronic systems into the revenue cycle and data management process,
- Performing diagnostic coding,
- Apply your understanding of computer ideas and applications, math statistics, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology,
- Apply informatics and analytics to health data,
- Write a summary and assessment of revenue cycle management,
- Determine the codes and groupings for diagnoses and procedures following government regulations,
- Maintaining a legally binding patient record.
The program combines general and technical courses for a well-rounded and practical education. The curriculum uses web-based educational electronic health record-related tools to expand students’ understanding, and an on-site internship is necessary.
Clarkson College
The Associate of Science – Health Information Technology online from Clarkson College prepares students for a career in Health Information Technology. This entirely online associate degree prepares you for your position in health information management. You can have solid information technology, business, management, and healthcare reimbursement backgrounds.
Graduates become key players in assuring the accuracy, accessibility, quality, and security of patient medical records as a Health Information Technology expert.
Your knowledge of everything from information technology to the revenue cycle will benefit the effectiveness of contemporary health information management systems and the patients.
Some of the courses included in this associate program include:
- Health Sciences
- Business
- Management
- Medical Terminology
- Microsoft Office Applications
- Essentials of Pharmacology
- Human Disease and Conditions
- Introduction to Informatics
- Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information
- Health Information Technology Assessment
- Data Management
- Health Information Technology
- Lab courses
As a health information manager, you will be familiar with coding, data analysis, billing, electronic health records, and legal compliance.
Davenport University
With a Health Information Technology Associate degree from Davenport University, you may learn to manage, analyze, and use patient data and health information resources as a healthcare information technician. This associate degree can be taken entirely online or in combination with in-person class formats. One of the highlights of this program is that professors with relevant professional expertise and credentials teach the courses.
A Health Information Technology associate degree focuses on teaching students to review, manage, and utilize patient care data and health information resources. All these tasks are crucial in preserving medical records, comprehending reimbursement and research, and upholding the highest health information standards. But note that you must pass an exam to become certified as a healthcare information technologist.
Some of the courses to expect in this associate degree in Health Information Technology are the following:
- Diversity in Society
- Advanced Composition
- Presentation Techniques
- Requirements Planning/Develop
- Health Care Law and Ethics
- Healthcare Management
- Medical Terminology
Columbus State Community College
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Health Information Management Technology at Columbus State Community College prepares students to work as professionals responsible for ensuring the compliance of medical, ethical, and regulatory standards with health information systems.
This associate degree develops the skills of health information management technicians as they become equipped with the technical know-how and abilities required to process and report health information data. All these data are crucial for many purposes, such as reimbursement, risk management, facility planning, utilization management, research, and quality assessment. A medical records analyst can also analyze clinical data using standards-compliant classification systems and abstract and code clinical data.
Graduates who complete the Associate of Science in Health Information Management Technology program are eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Associate and Registered Health Information Technician certification exams. Transferring to a university and enrolling in a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Technology or other related studies is also possible.
Some of the course requirements for this associate degree are as follows:
- Human Anatomy
- Pharmacology
- Advanced Medical Terminology
- Health Data Management
- Intro to Medical Coding & Reimbursement
- Computer Fundamentals
Davidson-Davie Community College
To become a medical records manager or a health information technician, you can enroll in Davidson-Davie Community College’s online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program. Its curriculum provides technical knowledge and expertise for analyzing, preserving, reporting, and accrediting health information.
After graduating with this online associate degree, you can find health information work at hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospices, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, or health insurance companies. One thing to note for this associate degree is that students cannot advance in the program if any clinical facility forbids them from participating in clinical experiences at that clinical agency.
Here are the things that you can do after graduating from this associate degree online:
- Perform math computations and analyze the results based on descriptive healthcare data.
- Show you have the knowledge and abilities required for basic health information competence.
- Develop helpful soft skills and fundamental health information management principles.
- Communicate with customers and coworkers in efficient and professional written and verbal ways.
- Utilize modern technology to access and analyze health data.
Northwestern College
Northwestern College offers an online Associate’s in Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree. The healthcare sector always expands, creating more jobs and providing better patient care. Therefore, you’ll have many job opportunities after graduating with this associate degree. Graduates of Health Information Technology schools are in high demand since protecting patient data privacy and communicating this information to key people are crucial.
Digital data is a foundation of contemporary healthcare, including patient records, billing, medical operations, and research projects. It enhances the caliber of care given, guides public health efforts, and boosts revenue at higher education institutions. Finally, when you acquire an associate degree in Health Information Technology, you can safely track data and archive some of it.
Ninety-four total credit hours are required for this associate degree. Students in the program gain real-world experience through externships, which are organized in collaboration with hospitals and medical facilities in the Chicago area.
These sample courses are included in the associate degree in Health Information Technology:
- Information Systems in Healthcare
- Anatomy, Physiology, & Pathophysiology
- Health Data Content and Structure with Lab
- Medical Law and Ethics in HIM
- Clinical Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement
- Health Information Financial and Resource Management
- Intermediate Database
- Coding and Classification Systems
- Pathopharmacology
Neosho County Community College
An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Health Information Technology program is offered at Neosho County Community College. This online associate degree prepares health information technicians to deliver trustworthy and accurate data that powers the healthcare sector.
The courses instruct entry-level technicians following the American Health Information Management Association standards. You will be trained to efficiently maintain medical records, collaborate with health information systems, and code data for reimbursement and research.
After graduating with an associate degree in Diagnostic Information Technology, you can find work opportunities in hospitals, care facilities, managed care organizations, consulting and legal firms, health insurance firms, nursing facilities, and clinics. Health Information Technology associate degree program graduates can also transfer into baccalaureate degree programs.
Here are some courses to take in this online associate degree in Health Information Technology:
- International Classification of Diseases Coding
- Pathopharmacology
- Math Statistics for Allied Health
- Medical Terminology
- Intro to Health Information Technology
- Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health
- General Psychology
- Current Events in Healthcare
Alfred State College of Technology
At Alfred State College of Technology, the four-semester Associate of Applied Science (AAS) -Health Information Technology is offered entirely online. Graduates emerge as professionals with extensive training in the newest information management software programs, and it’s exactly what is offered in this online program.
You will be trained to be familiar with healthcare workflow processes, from large hospital systems to small clinics. As a health information technologist, you must ensure that patient health information is accurate, complete, and secure. You will have a crucial role since you serve as the liaison between doctors, health providers, health administrators, financial services specialists, and IT experts.
The national certification exam to become a health information technician is open to associate graduates. Real-world expertise in health information management makes their professors stand out from the rest of other associate programs.
The following courses are included in this associate degree:
- Global & Diverse Perspectives
- Insurance Reimbursement Processing
- Freshman Composition
- Essentials of Pharmacology
- Medical Terminology
- Statistical Concepts
- Health Information Tech Seminar
Wallace State Community College
Wallace State Community College offers an inexpensive online Health Information Technology Associate’s Degree program. This is a top-notch curriculum with high graduation and job placement rates.
The Health Information Technology Program trains students to work in Health Information Technology, which is essential to the operation of the entire healthcare system. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers depend on them to gather data and analyze it in ways that allow them to provide high-quality patient care.
Health Information Technology experts may not frequently interact with patients, but they are dedicated to ensuring that patient’s health information is correct, accurate, and protected because they understand how crucial it is. All prerequisites for entrance to the Health Information Technology program must be satisfied by transfer students.
Here are some sample courses integrated into this online associate degree:
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for HIT
- Introduction to Health Informatics
- Medical Terminology
- Classification Skills Laboratory
- Revenue Cycle Management and Documentation
- Health Data Content and Structure
- HIT Legal and Ethical Issues
- Professional Practice Informatics
St. Petersburg College
Students can receive an affordable online Associate in Health Information Technology degree from St. Petersburg College. This online associate degree includes practical training for hands-on practices in different settings like nursing homes, mental health facilities, or rehabilitation centers.
The coursework satisfies the Registered Health Information Technician examination requirements and transfers to an equivalent or related Bachelor’s degree. The organization of resources and quality improvement is one of the main areas of concentration so graduates may enter the workforce and positively impact their jobs.
After graduation, you can expect the following achievements:
- You’ll be able to learn how to use healthcare technologies to gather, examine, track, and report health data.
- You’ll have expertise in data analytics, revenue cycle management, security, privacy, and compliance with data.
- You’ll learn how to handle projects in the healthcare industry using project management approaches.
- You can recognize and apply coding standards and assign diagnostic and therapeutic codes to coding situations in various healthcare settings.
- Learn how to establish, keep, preserve, and maintain patient records on paper and electronically.
Career Pathways for Associate in Diagnostic Information Technology Graduates
Health IT specialist
An IT analyst’s main duties include assessing how their clients use technology and offering suggestions to help them run their healthcare firms and organizations more efficiently. Healthcare information technology analysts can keep an eye on how a company uses technology to identify areas for improvement. They ensure all data are protected and come with no risks for cyber threats. They also assist with installing new software and applications and perform server and data recovery operations as needed.
A healthcare IT analyst might also consider how information technology can be used in a clinical context and develop procedures for keeping track of patients’ medical histories and planning timetables.
Health Services Administrator
A healthcare facility’s whole business, or a specific department, must be managed by a health services administrator. Information technology is crucial to how healthcare administrators perform their tasks.
Through applications, they can plan appointments and schedules or evaluate insurance coverage for patients getting care. They also ensure a healthcare facility adheres to all applicable standards and laws.
A health service administrator can effectively improve or maintain great health services in different medical institutions.
Health Information Technologist
A health information technologist is an information technology expert who assists in organizing the data and technology used by an institution. This may entail organizing patient records so doctors and other medical professionals can access them, ensuring that data is stored accurately and securely. They are also in charge of updating a medical facility’s databases, billings, and insurance records.
Clinician Informatician
An expert who examines data and technological usage in clinical settings is a clinical informaticist. There are diverse work settings that hire this healthcare profession. Clinical informaticists frequently assist in collecting and organizing clinical data, including patient and health record information.
They may offer suggestions for ways healthcare facilities can improve their data management and implement a methodology for using health information systems in healthcare.
Many clinical informaticists work in clinical settings before beginning their careers as informaticists to ensure they are prepared to deliver correct and pertinent advice. Much of their job requires an understanding of the healthcare business and typical industry practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get an online associate degree in Health Information Technology?
Most online associate’s degrees in Health IT are completed in two years. However, you might be able to complete an expedited degree in just 18 months. By enrolling in additional courses each term or attending classes during the spring and summer terms, you may be able to accelerate a standard program.
The duration of online degree programs is often comparable to that of on-campus programs. There are very few self-paced degree programs. Typically, schools offer their on-campus and online courses at the same time.
Is it worth it to earn an associate’s degree in Health Information Technology?
You should consider the duration of the degree and the money you will have to invest while pursuing your degree. Afterward, you must at least know the amount you anticipate earning once you graduate to decide whether completing an associate’s degree in Health Information Technology is worthwhile.
Another thing to consider is the job demand for health information technologists. Fortunately, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 16% job growth for health information technologists or medical registrars.
Is a Health Information Technology associate degree earned online legitimate?
Your degree will be widely recognized if you obtain your online associate’s in Health Information Technology from a reputable institution. The accreditation procedure makes sure the school satisfies a set of minimal credibility requirements.
Make sure to confirm with the accrediting body your school’s accreditation status. Do not simply believe what the school says. On their websites, most accrediting bodies provide listings of the schools they have approved.
Key Takeaways
- An online Health Information Technology associate degree provides students with the competencies required for entry-level positions in the quickly evolving healthcare industry
- Health information management program students gain skills in managing and organizing data in an electronic database or other health IT applications. Associate in Health Information Technology degree holders may be employed as medical records and health information experts.
- Health Information Technology programs at the associate level typically offer hands-on learning opportunities to highlight the technical skills all healthcare support providers must acquire.
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