Health Information Management

Note: The Health Information Management degree is
currently under review and not accepting new students.

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AS/AAS DEGREE

If you have an interest in healthcare and information technology, health information management (HIM) may be the right career choice for you! As one of the fastest growing occupations in one of the fastest growing industries, an HIM career places you right where the expanding arena of healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology.

WHAT DOES A HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL DO?
HIM professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting, and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality healthcare. HIM professionals ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They also use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.

Treatment planning, quality assessment, reimbursement, accreditation, and legal processes all depend on the accuracy of information and data. HIM professionals are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients. The successful management of health information is paramount to the many facets of healthcare!

HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry, including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies, and home care providers. With the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs), the need for credentialed HIM professionals increases, which allows further employment of HIM professionals into a variety of work settings.

JOB OUTLOOK FOR HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
HIM professionals enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth. Based on skills, education, and interests, some of the positions available are Health Data Analyst, Insurance Claims Analyst, Records Technician Specialist, Clinical Coding Specialist, Physician Practice Manager, and Patient Information Coordinator.

HIM professionals can expect to be in high demand as the health sector expands into the 21st century. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information technology as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. For more information on a career in health information management, visit the AHIMA Careers website at: www.hicareers.com

POTENTIAL SALARY
On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await HIM graduates. Credentialed HIM practitioners’ salaries are influenced by the type of setting, experience, and difficulty of work. More than half of new HIM graduates with an associate's degree earn $20,000 to $30,000 annually. And these figures are just averages; many HIM professionals report salaries upward from here!

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