Differences in Handling Medical Records Between RHIA & RHIT

Registered health information technicians and registered health information administrators are certified by the American Health Information Management Association, a professional organization governing and advocating for health information professionals. The certification process requires completing appropriate degrees in health information management and passing an AHIMA exam for the certification you want.

RHIT: Hands-on Responsibility for Patient Medical Records

• RHITs may work in physician's offices, clinics, hospitals or resident care facilities. RHITs communicate with doctors, nurses and other health care providers to ensure the accuracy and quality of medical records. They are also expected to maintain the security of medical records according to employer and legal requirements. RHITs maintain physical patient files and/or computerized files. Recent federal legislation requires computerizing medical records, so RHITs can expect to participate in converting paper files to electronic files. RHITs may be assigned a specific group of patient files, or may maintain all individual files within a smaller medical practice. The RHIT position focuses on maintaining and documenting individual patient records as assigned by an RHIA.

RHIA Positions: Managing the Big Picture

• RHIA positions require supervising RHITs and others responsible for medical records. An RHIA develops policies and procedures for managing medical records, complying with legal requirements and maintaining the security of medical records and patients' privacy. An RHIA is responsible for monitoring databases and electronic devices used for maintaining electronic medical records. An RHIA can expect to oversee conversion from paper files to electronic files. An RHIA is responsible for communicating with health care providers, insurance companies, vendors and employees associated with health information functions. An RHIA may develop and maintain a department budget, recruit and terminate health information personnel and prepare reports concerning a health information department's functions, needs and accomplishments.

RHITs and RHIAs: From Close Focus to Wide Range Responsibility

• RHITs focus on individual health care records, and interact with health care providers and managers to maintain and clarify information, such as patient examinations and diagnoses, medications prescribed and given, and treatments recommended and performed. RHITs must have strong attention to detail and be knowledgeable about medical procedures and terminology. RHITs use problem-solving and research capabilities for correcting errors and omissions in medical files.

  The scope of an RHIA's professional responsibilities is broader than that of an RHIT, as RHIAs manage all aspects of health care information and record-keeping. An RHIA may also handle confidential personnel records and participate in management meetings and decision-making.

Advancing from RHIT to RHIA: Work Experience Counts

• Paper medical records are being replaced by electronic health care information systems.

  RHITs wishing to advance their careers can move toward an RHIA position through a combination of work experience and continued study. Talk with your supervisor (who may be an RHIA) and human resources manager to determine if your employer can assist with education expenses. In addition to courses required for a bachelor's or master's degree in health science, health care administration or related subjects, you'll want to study medical records technology. Information technology manufacturers may provide training seminars and certification for new technologies in health care information; ask your supervisor about these opportunities and attend as many as you can.