According to the US Department of Labor, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance. Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

In this program, students will develop skills required of a medical information specialist, such as assembling, analyzing, filing, indexing, and billing of health records, as well as developing skills essential to the medical transcriptionist. Students will demonstrate proficiency of these skills during their directed practice course.

A multitude of opportunities await the MIST graduate in various medical facilities, including the opportunity of working from home, once experience is obtained. Medical information specialists focus on the data entry, collection, and maintenance of patient health information, while medical transcriptionists accurately transcribe dictated medical reports documenting the patient’s condition as well as treatment.

The student must maintain a numerical average of 78 or better in each required Medical Information Specialist/Transcriptionist course to receive the Certificate of Completion.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to admissions requirements listed under "Admissions Information," manual dexterity for typing, handling records, files and other documents is also necessary. An interview with the Department Chair is required, as well as completion of the MIST program orientation prior to registration of classes.

Admissions Requirements

Additional Program Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements listed under "Admissions Information", the student must have maintained a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in high school or previous post-secondary studies, or have a score of 45 on the GED. All students must be able to successfully complete a timed writing with a minimum speed of 35 words per minute with 3 or less errors. An interview with the Department Chair is also required, as well as completion of the THEA/ACCUPLACER and completion of a program orientation prior to registration of classes.


Practicum Entry Requirements: Before enrolling in practicum courses, a student must have on file with the department the following materials:

• The ability to satisfy the industry standards for the program.
• Proof of required immunizations.
• Proof of liability insurance of at least $1 million (available through TSTC).
• Proof of health and accident insurance (available through TSTC).
• Proof of auto liability.
• Proof of current driver’s license.
• Passage of a criminal background check (available through TSTC).
• Passage of a drug and alcohol screening (required by various medical facilities).