Health Information Technology Certification in Massachusetts - MA

By Susan Maphis, allied health world contributing writer
Published: September, 13 2010

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According to most Massachusetts employers, the health information technology standard is to have an associate degree and RHIT certification (Registered Health Information Technician). Colleges and universities offer education programs leading to a health information technology degree. Some of the courses you can expect to take while pursuing health information technology certification in Massachusetts include Organization of Health Care Delivery, Medical and Drug Terminology, ICD-9-CM Coding, CPT Coding, Anatomy, Physiology, and a supervised practicum. The college you choose must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) in order for you to be eligible to obtain RHIT certification in Massachusetts. Most associate degree HIT programs take about eight semesters (two years) to complete. Upon graduation, you are eligible to take a test to become RHIT certified in Massachusetts. Again, while this is not yet mandatory, employers tend to look more favorably upon RHIT-certified candidates. A recent search on indeed.com found that most openings in health information technology preferred RHIT-certified applicants. Certification is conducted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), with examinations offered nationwide at Prometric Testing Centers. When you pass the test, you will be known as RHIT-certified and can search for employment in health facilities across Massachusetts, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Marlborough Hospital.