Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway
Do you have students who prefer to help people behind the scenes? Are they enticed by the idea of working in an industry with explosive growth? Then they may want to consider becoming a medical biller and coder.
Medical billers and coders make sure that patient medical records are comprehensive and accurate. They give doctors the billing information to inform treatment options and ensure that billing and insurance reimbursement are accurate and efficient.
The Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway program from Stride Career Prep* prepares students to take the exams for the credentials necessary to embark on a career right after graduation—without the hassle or expense of additional training or degrees. And a medical billing and coding background coupled with a bachelor's degree (usually in healthcare administration or business) can be a great springboard to a career as a medical coding expert or a manager in healthcare administration!
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep has implemented project-based learning (PBL) for a number of courses in this pathway. PBL curriculum is designed to hone students' problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills. Students who choose this pathway gain a broad understanding of healthcare and hospital operations, learn medical terminology and how it relates to medical billing and coding, and practice coding real de-identified medical records. It's a hands-on curriculum packed with case studies and practical exercises.
Our Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway Curriculum in Detail
All of our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway students take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Note: Pathway courses are subject to change.
†New in fall 2022
Get credentialed
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student's skills and knowledge of a given subject. This pathway prepares students to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
| Employment Ready Certifications These certifications indicate students have acquired skills needed to perform a job with little or no support. |
NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) NHA Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) NHA Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) AHDPG Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional (AMSP) |
Get ahead of the competition
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working health care professionals through Nepris.***
Find a school near you that offers education and training.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway are available in our tuition-free K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states:
Don't see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Healthcare Data and Informatics pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Nursing and Patient Care!
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Students in this pathway can prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of medical billing and coding, including:
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Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers, often referred to as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, oversee the provision of medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility (such as a hospital or nursing home), a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice. They are responsible for managing the facility's finances, including billing and relations with insurance companies; ensuring the facility complies with all legal and regulatory requirements; and recruiting and supervising staff. They manage the "business side" of healthcare provision.
2021 Median Salary
$101,340
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 29, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
Medical Records and Health Information Specialist
Medical records and health information specialists organize and manage electronic and hardcopy health records. They use different classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, and to ensure patient medical histories are complete, accurate, and can be relied on to inform future care.
2021 Median Salary
$45,240
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus a certification such as the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist certification
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on July 5, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm.
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to become a medical coder or medical records technician?
No, you do not need a college degree to work as a medical coder or billing assistant, sometimes referred to as a medical records and health information specialist. However, many healthcare employers require you to be certified, which means passing an exam like the Certified Coding and Billing Specialist Exam. That's why we help our medical billing and coding students prepare for this test!
How can you prepare to become a medical coder or medical records specialist? What classes should you take in high school?
You can prepare for a career as a medical coder or medical records specialist while still in high school by taking courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and—if the high school offers this option—special classes in medical coding and health information management. One of the best things to do while in high school is working or volunteering in a hospital, nursing care facility, doctor's office, or another medical setting.
In our Healthcare Data and Informatics Pathway, students take classes in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, plus two semesters of medical coding and one semester of health information management. Exam prep for the Certified Coding and Billing Specialist Exam is part of our tuition-free program.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
