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Back to Main MenuHealth Information TechnologyHealthcare Management TechnologyAdmission RequirementsFAQsCareer InformationProgram Policies and Student HandbookPPE (Clinical) RequirementsProgram Costs
Judy Butner

Judy Butner


828-652-0620

Health Information TechnologyHealthcare Management TechnologyAdmission RequirementsFAQsCareer InformationProgram Policies and Student HandbookPPE (Clinical) RequirementsProgram Costs
Judy Butner

Judy Butner

Director of Health Information Technology
828-652-0620

HIT Career Information

Explore the role, settings, and essential functions of health information technicians.

Working as a Health Information Technician

Professionals holding the RHIT credential are health information technicians who:

  • Ensure the quality of medical records by verifying completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
  • Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data to improve care and control costs.
  • Specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research.
  • May serve as cancer registrars, compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.

A Variety of Settings

Although most RHITs work in hospitals, they are also found in physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. RHITs may also be employed in organizations that use patient data such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

Additional Resources

Essential Functions

Health information technicians typically perform the following functions:

  • Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data.
  • Organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries.
  • Track patient outcomes for quality assessment.
  • Use classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis.
  • Record data electronically for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting.
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records.

Health information technicians document patients’ health information—including medical history, symptoms, test results, treatments, and other services provided. Their duties vary by employer and facility size.

While not providing direct patient care, technicians regularly collaborate with healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or obtain additional details to ensure records are complete and accurate.

The growing adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) continues to evolve responsibilities. Technicians must learn EHR software, follow security and privacy practices, and analyze electronic data to improve healthcare information.