| Healthcare delivery systems are more sophisticated, scientific, and complex than in the past and require credentialed health information management professionals to manage them. The demand for credentialed health information management professionals is outpacing their availability in part because large numbers of qualified graduates from appropriate schools are not taking the Registered Health Information Technician examination after graduation. The purpose of the quantitative non-experimental correlation study was to analyze the value professionals with an associate's degree in health information place on the Registered Health Information Technician credentials and explore whether or not the value of the credential affects the intention to sit for the examination. A stratified random sampling of 176 health information technicians who attended an American Health Information Management Association academic program were sent an online survey containing a Likert scale questionnaire. Results indicated that both credentialed and non-credentialed HIT professionals assigned intrinsic and extrinsic values to the certification and there was a relationship between the value of the credentials and sitting for the examination. Value responses were greater with certified HIT professionals than noncertified professional with factors such as personal satisfaction, professional growth, taking the examination soon after graduation, and being properly prepared being important to credential personnel. Additionally, credentialed and non-credentialed participants identified barriers and challenges to obtaining certification. Specific barriers noted were, a) credentialed job opportunities, b) annual certification and continuing education cost, c) lack of confidence in test-taking, and d) lack of confidence in knowledge to pass examination. |
