Workforce Review of Health Information Technology Associate-Degree Graduates: 2017-2024

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Workforce Development
• Health Information Management

Background:

• The Health Information Technology (HIT) field is rapidly evolving due to changes in regulations, technology, and healthcare demands.
• HIT professionals are crucial for data accuracy, compliance, and system functionality, yet research on workforce trends is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the career trajectories and experiences of associate-degree HIT graduates.
• To identify current workforce trends, challenges, and opportunities within the HIT field.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining survey data from 587 participants and qualitative comments.
• Quantitative data analysis included standardizing job categories and visualizing career movement with Sankey diagrams.
• Qualitative data involved inductive thematic coding and intercoder reliability checks to analyze graduate experiences.

Main Results:

• Graduates commonly began careers in medical coding, HIM operations, billing, and registration, with many achieving upward mobility into supervisory and leadership roles.
• Internships significantly contributed to job placement, and remote/hybrid work arrangements were prevalent.
• Key themes included the practical value of the HIT degree, the variable employer recognition of the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential, and ongoing challenges with experience requirements and wages.

Conclusions:

• HIT graduates perceive their education as beneficial and report significant career progression.
• Persistent barriers include work experience prerequisites that limit entry-level opportunities for graduates.
• Recommendations include enhancing experiential learning, improving employer communication regarding HIT competencies, and fostering academic-employer partnerships to address workforce gaps.