Health Information Technology Certification in Iowa - IA

By Laura Wrede, allied health world contributing writer
Published: August, 30 2010

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In a letter to the state of Iowa from the Iowa Health Buyers Alliance it states that by using health information technology it can be expected that healthcare will improve for patients while driving down cost. It is commonly believed that HIT will be as revolutionary to healthcare as IT has been in the banking and finance industry. It is also widely recognized that the implementation of electronic record keeping is being accepted around the state of Iowa. The letter to the state also voiced concerns over standardization of practices. One of the primary ways that standardization can be implemented is by making sure training in the industry meets certain requirements.

Currently, the training available consists of certification and degree programs that are offered both by local Iowa colleges and universities in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, as well as many online programs. The degree for the future registered health information technician (RHIT) is a two-year degree in health information technology. RHIT Certification in Iowa also requires a state exam that is administered by the AHIMA (www.ahima.org). Coursework will cover: