Every time a patient is treated, a mountain of data is created: diagnoses, procedures, billing codes, insurance details, and records that must remain accurate, secure, and compliant with strict federal privacy laws. Someone has to manage that data correctly, and that someone is a health information technician.
It is one of the more overlooked entry points into healthcare, particularly for people who want to work in the field without pursuing a clinical role like nursing.
Health information technicians manage the systems and processes behind patient health data. Core responsibilities typically include:
This role sits at the intersection of healthcare, data management, and regulatory compliance, which is exactly why it appeals to people who want healthcare-adjacent work without direct patient care.
These roles overlap but are not identical.
| Health Information Technician | Medical Coder | |
| Primary focus | Broad management of health records, data, and compliance | Specifically translating diagnoses and procedures into billing codes |
| Scope | Records systems, HIPAA compliance, data analytics, revenue cycle | Diagnostic and procedural coding accuracy |
| Typical path | Often a broader entry point into health information management | Can be a specialization within or alongside HIM work |
A medical coder role is often one specific function within the broader health information technician skill set.
CIAT’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology is built around this exact skill set, combining foundational healthcare knowledge (anatomy, medical terminology, pathophysiology) with the technical HIM coursework employers look for: diagnostic and procedural coding, electronic health records, healthcare data analytics, and the legal aspects of health information management. The curriculum is designed to align with nationally recognized health information management education standards and prepares students to pursue the RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) certification through AHIMA.
This program is a newer addition to CIAT’s offerings and is set to launch in Spring 2027, so it is a good option to research and plan around now if a health information career is on your radar.
Graduates of a health information technology program are typically positioned for roles such as:
Healthcare organizations are under continuous pressure to maintain accurate records for both patient care and reimbursement, and privacy regulations governing health data have only become stricter over time. That combination keeps demand steady for people who understand both the clinical side of documentation and the technical, compliance-driven side of managing it.
Get ahead of the curve in health information management.
No. This is a records, data, and compliance-focused role rather than a clinical care role, and does not require prior clinical experience or licensure.
RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) is a nationally recognized certification through AHIMA. It is not always a strict requirement for entry-level roles, but it is widely respected and can meaningfully strengthen a candidate’s qualifications.
Medical coding is typically one specific function within the broader health information technology field, which also includes records management, compliance, and healthcare data analytics.
Hospitals, physician practices, insurance companies, government health agencies, and health information technology vendors all commonly employ health information technicians.
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