Health Information Technology Certification in Kansas - KS

The Kansas HIT/HIE Policy Initiative reported an effort to expedite the universal use of health information technology to improve health care quality, increase patient safety, and improve efficiency by implementing electronic health record keeping. according to the Kansas Health Policy Authority. The use of computer programs to store and transmit a patient’s private medical records demands skilled, qualified technicians to handle the information. Technicians need to know everything from privacy laws to medical coding. To assure the public their records are handled by a qualified professional, Kansas HIT’s may wish to obtain a health information technology certification.

The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certificate is available to any student who completes a two-year associate’s program awarding a Health Information Technology degree. RHIT certification in Kansas is obtained by completing an associate’s degree program and passing an exam offered by AHIMA.

There are other certification programs available in Kansas such as coding certificates that are typically awarded from the school that offers the program. These certifications take less time to complete--usually one year--as opposed to the two-year degree required for the certified RHIT. If you choose certification as a coder, some schools will apply the courses to a two-year degree in health information technology if you plan to continue your education.