Health Information Technologist
SOC 29-9021.00 · ESCO 3252 · OSCA 223933
Role snapshot
Overview
Organises, maintains, and secures patient medical records in digital systems. Ensures coding accuracy for billing and compliance, and troubleshoots data quality issues across clinical departments. This role is critical for efficient healthcare operations, patient care, and regulatory adherence by managing sensitive health information with precision and confidentiality.
Ensures the accuracy, accessibility, and security of patient health information, which is vital for quality patient care, accurate billing, legal compliance, and effective healthcare operations.
On the job
- Review and verify patient records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with regulations.
- Assign diagnostic and procedural codes (e.g., ICD-10, CPT) for billing, insurance reimbursement, and data analysis.
- Manage electronic health records (EHR) systems, including data input, retrieval, and system maintenance.
- Protect the privacy and security of patient health information in accordance with HIPAA and other standards.
- Collaborate with clinical staff and other departments to resolve discrepancies and improve data quality.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Certificate or associate's degree in Health Information Technology, Medical Records, or a related field. Some roles may prefer a bachelor's degree.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
high
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Coding, data verification, compliance checks, and data entry are rule-based tasks highly susceptible to AI automation.
End-to-end automation
high
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
AI can perform much of the coding and verification, but human oversight for complex cases and legal compliance will remain essential.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
The healthcare industry's push for efficiency and cost reduction makes automation in this back-office function very appealing to employers.
Human dependence
low
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
While tasks are rule-based, the high impact of errors on patient care and legal/financial outcomes necessitates human judgment and accountability.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
This role can shift towards managing AI systems, handling exceptions, and focusing on data quality improvement and system integration.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Assign diagnostic and procedural codes (e.g., ICD-10, CPT) for billing.
- Review and verify patient records for completeness and accuracy.
- Monitor for compliance with regulations like HIPAA based on established rules.
- Perform routine data input and retrieval from EHR systems.
- Troubleshoot common data quality issues through automated checks.
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Resolving complex discrepancies with clinical staff requiring nuanced understanding.
- Making final judgments on ambiguous coding cases with high financial or legal stakes.
- Protecting privacy and security of patient data, especially in novel situations.
- Collaborating with multiple departments to improve data quality processes.
- Adapting to new or evolving regulatory requirements that AI systems may not yet interpret.
- Strategic decision-making regarding EHR system architecture and data governance.
How the role may evolve
From manual coding to managing AI-driven data quality and compliance systems.
The role will increasingly involve overseeing automated processes and interpreting their outputs. Human judgment will be reserved for complex edge cases, cross-departmental problem-solving, and ensuring ethical data handling.
Strengthen your future fit
- Expertise in AI/ML tools for medical coding and data validation.
- Advanced data analysis and interpretation for quality improvement.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with clinical teams.
- Deep understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance frameworks.
- Ability to manage and integrate new health information technologies.
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Health Information Technologist
IT Operations & Security
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
conventional · CIS
Individuals who enjoy working with data, systems, and precise rules, and who are interested in organised, analytical tasks within a healthcare context, tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly organised and meticulous in managing patient records and coding, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Analytical
Enjoys dissecting complex data, identifying discrepancies, and troubleshooting system issues.
Cooperative
Works effectively with clinical staff and other departments to resolve data issues and improve processes.
Detail-oriented
Possesses a keen eye for specifics, ensuring every piece of information is correctly captured and classified.
Composed
Maintains a calm and steady approach when handling sensitive data or navigating complex regulatory requirements.
Best for
- Individuals who thrive on accuracy, organisation, and working with complex information systems.
- Those interested in the intersection of healthcare, data, and technology.
- People who value contributing to healthcare efficiency and compliance behind the scenes.
Watch out for
- Requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict regulations, which can be repetitive for some.
- Limited direct patient interaction, which might not suit those seeking direct care roles.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Health Information Technologist — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Health Information Technologist roles
What does a Health Information Technologist do?
A Health Information Technologist organises, maintains, and secures patient medical records in digital systems. Ensures coding accuracy for billing and compliance, and troubleshoots data quality issues across clinical departments. This role is critical for efficient healthcare operations, patient care, and regulatory adherence by managing sensitive health information with precision and confidentiality. Ensures the accuracy, accessibility, and security of patient health information, which is vital for quality patient care, accurate billing, legal compliance, and effective healthcare operations.
How much does a Health Information Technologist earn?
A Health Information Technologist earns a median of $58,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $40,000 to $75,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Health Information Technologist?
To become a Health Information Technologist, certificate or associate's degree in Health Information Technology, Medical Records, or a related field. Some roles may prefer a bachelor's degree.
What personality suits a Health Information Technologist?
Health Information Technologist roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 82/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 68/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Analytical, Cooperative and Detail-oriented. Highly organised and meticulous in managing patient records and coding, ensuring accuracy and compliance. On interests, Health Information Technologist maps to a CIS Holland Code profile — individuals who enjoy working with data, systems, and precise rules, and who are interested in organised, analytical tasks within a healthcare context, tend to thrive in this role.
Who does a Health Information Technologist role suit?
A Health Information Technologist role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Conventional and Investigative alignment: involves systematic data management, coding, and problem-solving. High conscientiousness and attention to detail are crucial for ensuring data accuracy and compliance. The role offers a structured environment focused on precise, technical tasks.
What are the downsides of being a Health Information Technologist?
Health Information Technologist roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict regulations, which can be repetitive for some. Limited direct patient interaction, which might not suit those seeking direct care roles.
What is the work environment like for a Health Information Technologist?
Work as a Health Information Technologist is mostly office-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 85% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Health Information Technologist?
Core skills for a Health Information Technologist include Medical coding (ICD-10, CPT), Electronic health record management, Data accuracy and integrity, HIPAA compliance, Medical terminology and Attention to detail.
How do you become a Health Information Technologist?
Common entry routes into Health Information Technologist roles include Medical Records Clerk, Data Entry Specialist and Administrative Assistant Healthcare.
What career progression is there for a Health Information Technologist?
From a Health Information Technologist role, common next steps include Senior Health Information Technologist and Health Information Manager; lateral moves include Clinical Documentation Specialist and Data Quality Analyst.
What is the job outlook for Health Information Technologist roles?
The outlook for Health Information Technologist roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Health Information Technologist roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Health Information Technologist roles at 76 out of 100, which is strong. AI is poised to streamline coding and data verification, allowing human experts to focus on complex compliance issues, data quality, and collaboration with clinical teams. AI is most likely to take on assign diagnostic and procedural codes (e.g., icd-10, cpt) for billing., review and verify patient records for completeness and accuracy. and monitor for compliance with regulations like hipaa based on established rules.. Resolving complex discrepancies with clinical staff requiring nuanced understanding., making final judgments on ambiguous coding cases with high financial or legal stakes. and protecting privacy and security of patient data, especially in novel situations. stay with people. From manual coding to managing AI-driven data quality and compliance systems. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.