What Does a Healthcare IT Technician Do?
A healthcare IT technician provides technical support in various healthcare settings. The position involves maintaining and managing hardware, networks and software in clinical and admin environments.
Typical technical duties include:
- Installing and managing wired networks
- Installing and upgrading hardware and software
- Setting up and configuring servers
- Troubleshooting technical issuesÂ
- Providing help desk support
- Assessing security risks and potential threats
- Creating and applying disaster recovery plans
However, the role requires more than just understanding information technology. As a healthcare IT technician, you’ll also work with electronic health record (EHR) systems to make sure systems meet compliance and security standards. You’ll need to understand regulations regarding medical records and specific security requirements, along with medical business operations.
While a healthcare IT technician works in a healthcare setting, the role is non-clinical. There is no patient care involved and little formal patient interaction.
Why Healthcare Technology Careers Are a Strong Choice
The healthcare system continues to adopt digital infrastructure and EHRs and relies on digital data exchange. Since 2008, use of EHRs in hospitals has increased by 87% and by 61% among physicians. Nearly all pharmacies and 92% of prescribers use e-prescribing features.
These technologies all have the opportunity to fail or be compromised. IT technicians with specialized knowledge of the healthcare environment and EHRs are necessary to keep systems running smoothly and to protect sensitive data.
That means IT techs are critical staff and in demand in many possible environments. Healthcare IT spans clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, government agencies and healthcare software vendors, creating many possible areas to find employment.
Further, healthcare is an essential service and typically provides stable employment. A position in healthcare IT offers that stability without requiring clinical work or patient care.
How To Get Certified With MedCerts
MedCerts offers fully online programs designed for self-study that fit into your schedule. The Healthcare IT Technician program is 24 weeks and covers medical office and EHR training along with foundational IT skills. The online program prepares you to write certification exams for Certified EHR Specialist and CompTIA A+ credentials.
MedCerts’ healthcare IT certification training doesn’t require a clinical background and is designed for entry-level learners. It’s also MyCAA-approved for no-cost learning for eligible military spouses.
All in all, healthcare IT is an accessible path for those in early career stages and offers a way into the IT industry and stable employment without direct patient care. The role offers plenty of opportunity to advance with additional IT certifications and training, offering long-term career potential and growth.
