What They Do
Health information technologists and medical registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.
Duties
Health information technologists and medical registrars typically do the following:
- Help to determine requirements for computerized healthcare systems
- Evaluate and support implementation of health information systems
- Organize and update information in clinical databases or registries
- Compile data and generate reports, such as for disease registry or treatment
- Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
- Validate the integrity of patient data
- Ensure privacy, security, and confidentiality of patients' health information
Health information technologists and medical registrars help to design and develop electronic healthcare systems. They abstract, collect, and analyze clinical data related to medical treatment, followup, and results. Their work supports the delivery and improvement of patient care.
Health information technologists apply their knowledge of information technology (IT) and healthcare concepts in a variety of ways. Some specialize in the electronic health records systems used for storing and retrieving patient data, which may include implementing the systems and educating staff on their use. Others analyze healthcare data for a range of purposes, such as for research or to evaluate programs and services.
Medical registrars create and maintain databases of information, such as those used to track a particular disease or condition. For example, cancer registrars collect and analyze information for facility, regional, and national databases of cancer patients. They review patients’ records and pathology reports to verify completeness and accuracy; assign classification codes to represent the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and benign tumors; and track treatment, survival, and recovery.
For information about workers who compile, process, and maintain patient files, see the profile for medical records specialists.
Work Environment
Health information technologists and medical registrars held about 41,900 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of health information technologists and medical registrars were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 46% |
| Offices of physicians | 8 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 6 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 5 |
| Administrative and support services | 4 |
Health information technologists and medical registrars usually work in an office setting and may spend many hours at a computer.
Work Schedules
Most health information technologists and medical registrars work full time.
How to Become One
Education requirements for health information technologists and medical registrars vary. Some workers typically need an associate’s degree; others need a bachelor’s or higher degree. Certification may be required or preferred.
Pay
The median annual wage for health information technologists and medical registrars was $67,310 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 3,200 openings for health information technologists and medical registrars are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.