Certificate Course in Medical Records and Health Information Technician

The Certificate Course in Medical Records and Health Information Technician, under the specialty of Medical Record Technology, is designed to train individuals in the management, organization, and handling of medical records and health information. The course duration typically ranges from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the institution. The curriculum covers key topics such as medical terminology, coding and classification systems (such as ICD), electronic health records (EHR), healthcare data management, and legal aspects of health information.

This certificate course is designed to equip students with expertise in managing patient records and health information systems. Students learn data entry, coding, and regulatory compliance, which form the foundation for professional careers in medical data management in healthcare organizations.

Certificate Course in Medical Records and Health Information Technician 

Candidates should have completed 10+2 education from a known board in any stream. Preference can be given to science background or previous healthcare exposure. Basic computer knowledge is usually preferred.

The course typically takes six months to one year, depending on the mode of study and the institution providing the course. 

The cost of the course varies between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000 based on the reputation of the institute, location, and infrastructure. 

This course is apt for those who are interested in healthcare support services, especially hospital administration or medical record management. It is best for students looking for entry-level jobs, working professionals looking to enhance their skills, or career changers shifting to the healthcare industry. 

There is an increasing need for trained health information technicians as a result of the transition to electronic medical records. The course offers a short-term but realistic entry into healthcare administration, facilitating proper patient data handling, improving service delivery, and allowing for future career development in health informatics or related fields. 

Only a few institutions do not need an entrance test for this course. Admission is generally on merit, based on 10+2 academic performance. A few institutions may hold aptitude tests or interviews. 

Admission is usually through filling in an admission form, providing academic documents and identification proof, and attending an interview or orientation, if necessary. The process is completed with fee payment.

The curriculum generally includes the following subjects: 

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) 
• Christian Medical College, Vellore 
• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune 
• Medvarsity Online Ltd. 
• Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Jaipur 
• Apollo MedSkills, Chennai 
• Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Pune 

Students graduating from this course can work in any healthcare facility, such as hospitals, private clinics, insurance companies, and government health departments. With the trend towards digital health records, the need for trained individuals in this line of work is growing by the day.

Upon completing this certification, students can enroll in higher-level courses like: 

• Diploma in Health Information Management 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospital Administration 
• Bachelor’s in Health Information Management 
• Certifications in Medical Coding or Transcription 
• Advanced courses in Health Informatics 

Career options available upon completing this course include: 

• Medical Records Technician 
• Health Information Technician 
• Medical Coding Specialist 
• Hospital Records Assistant 
• Health Data Entry Operator 
• Medical Transcriptionist 
• Quality Assurance Executive (Health Records) 
• Clinical Documentation Specialist 

Starting salaries are in the range of ₹1.8 to ₹3.6 lakhs a year, which varies with the individual's expertise, work experience, and work environment. With experience and more time-based qualifications, one can get better packages.