Educational programs in health information technology are located on the following Indiana University campuses: Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University Northwest.

A program is being developed at Indiana University Kokomo. For further information, contact Dr. Robert Roales, Chairperson of the Division of Allied Health Sciences, (765) 455-9371.

Description of the Profession A medical or health record is a permanent document of the history and progress of one person’s illness or injury, made to preserve information of medical, scientific, legal, and planning value. Health information technicians are responsible for maintaining medical, scientific, and legal documents regarding a patient’s injury or illness.

Health information technicians secure, analyze, integrate, and manage information that guides the health care industry. The entry-level health information technician generally works in a health information services department of a hospital, ambulatory care, or other health care facility. Employment opportunities also exist in consulting firms, health data organizations, information systems vendors, and health maintenance organizations.

Graduates of the Program Some of the functions graduates perform are supervising within the health information services department; maintaining the flow of health information to all departments of the health care institution; compiling statistics; reviewing health records for accuracy; coding, classifying, and recording diagnoses and procedures that directly affect facility reimbursement; assigning diagnosis-related groups (DRGs); operating a disease registry; and performing quality assessment studies, utilization management activities, and other quality management and data research activities.