After a 12-year hiatus and because of job demand, Northern Essex Community College has reactivated its Health Information Technology (HIT) associate degree program through its iHealth initiative in Lawrence. This program includes in its curriculum medical coding, medical billing, and electronic medical records.

 Information sessions for the Health Information Technology program and electronic medical records certificate program, both of which will launch this fall, and medical coding and medical billing certificates, which are currently offered, will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 10 a.m., April 22, at 5 p.m., and May 6, at 10 a.m. in the iHealth Building on Franklin Street in Lawrence.

Health information technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems.

NECC’s HIT program will prepare students to be entry-level health information technicians. Students will learn to manage, process, and analyze health data to ensure an accurate and complete medical record. Among other skills, they will learn to apply health information policies and systems that meet with all national and state laws and regulatory guidelines

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the Health Information Technician field is projected to grow 22 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Jobs can be found in hospitals, medical clinics, physicians’ practices, intermediate care centers, or biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

With very few colleges and universities offering a Health Information Technology program,” says Scott Weber, coordinator of the iHealth HIT program, “there is a real demand for graduates of a Health Information Technology program.”

This program, he says, is ideal for anyone who has an interest in both health care and computer technology. Individuals should be detail oriented and analytical, Weber says.

The HIT program includes a 160-hour externship at an area medical facility.

“The program trains individuals for an administrative position within a clinical setting,” says Weber who brings more than 32 years of health information technology experience to the program.

Individuals who complete any one of the medical coding, medical billing, or electronic medical records certificate programs, are eligible to transfer into the HIT associate degree program.

For information on all NECC’s health care programs visit https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/courses-programs/areas/health/

For additional information on the Health Information Technology program, contact Scott Weber at sweber@necc.mass.edu