Exclusive article at EMRIndustry.com
It’s more than a bit daunting to set your sights on a given profession, narrow the field to a specialty that fits, and then weave your way through the maze of classes and certifications until you reach your end goal. However, if you accurately map out the path to get you there – and research every aspect (from taking the right core classes to making certain there are available positions in your desired location) – it will pay off in the long run.
Why Health Information Management?
HIM focuses on management of health data and provides a bridge connecting clinics and patients to personal health records. These professionals have critical competencies and skills, using information systems and policies to build layers of secured health information over the Internet, according to the standards of the National Health Information Network (NHIN).
Once the data is gathered it can be accurately shared by way of a Health Information Exchange (HIE). The importance of HIEs cannot be overstated, and as an RHIT or RHIA you can be an integral part of this achievement. Just a few of the benefits of patient information exchange are: improved diagnoses, fewer duplications of testing, and avoidance of prescription errors.
Health Information is an industry that requires you to stay up on all the latest changes in coding technology as well as healthcare terms and procedures. In a Health Information Management position you can earn from $75k (coding manager) to $92k (Health Information administrator/manager). This could be the ideal job for an advanced degree graduate searching for a non-clinical position in the healthcare field.
HIM Specialties
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) – Requires an Associate’s Degree in a HIM accredited program. Add experience and a Bachelor’s degree, and you’re on your way to the RHIA designation.
These technicians are responsible to complete and verify accurate entry of patient’s medical records. They are trained in coding diagnoses and procedures, analyzing the assembled data to raise the quality of patient care and reduce costs. Many RHIT work in the hospital environment, but are also found in larger clinics, nursing homes, insurance companies and law firms, to name a few.
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) – Baccalaureate level of a HIM program accredited by CAHIIM. A master’s degree is highly desirable but not necessary for this position, but according to the Department of Labor, paid at an average of $92k in 2014, so certainly worth the effort.
RHIAs manage people and interact with the entire unit’s operation (clinical, admin, financial and information). Jobs are found in many different settings, including clinics and private practices, hospitals, and ambulatory care. There is also significant opportunity in non-patient businesses such as insurance, education, software, pharmaceuticals, and even government agencies.
Choosing Your HIM Path
There are many institutions across the United States which offer on-campus or online (or both) curriculums to achieve a specific credential in Health Information Management. Selecting the right school is, of course, a personal choice. Different colleges or certificate programs will have varying tuition levels, support options and admission requirements. Whether you prefer to learn in a classroom setting, from your laptop in the corner coffee shop or a quiet room at home is up to you. Whatever you choose, HIM jobs are in high demand, and it’s an exciting field in which to launch a new career.
Here are just two of a multitude of schools which offer the education you need to become a HIM professional. To be clear, we have no affiliation with either of them – they were chosen for their detailed onsite descriptions, as well as the info-charts we’ve included in this article.
Rasmussen College
With 100 years under its belt, and 24 campuses in 6 states (plus online degrees available), Rasmussen offers a tempting path in Health Information. You can begin with a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate or Health Information Technician Associate’s Degree, which could lead to a HIM Bachelor’s Degree in another 18 months.
Check out the chart below, to see the kind of salaries possible in this field!
DeVry University
DeVry offers coast to coast campuses (55) in 18 states, as well as online technical degrees specializing in Health Information Management. With flexible year-round classes, they also work hard to maximize the way your transferable credits are qualified. Established in 1931 as DeForest Training School, the name changed in 1968 after acquiring the DeVry Technical Institute.
Below is a very clear and simple chart showing paths to 3 different HIM specialties:
Additional Resources
The following two Health Information field support organizations will be valuable sources of information on your road to an HIM career:
AHIMA Foundation – The American Health Information Management Association was founded in 1962. It offers scholarships, supports research and education, and ensures that policies reflect the latest research findings. “The Foundation operates under the values of philanthropy, innovation, leadership and integrity.” Apprenticeships are currently active in 17 states.
AHIMA is also a detailed resource for information about HIM certifications. They hold webinars and annual conventions for the membership, as well as specialty courses and exam preps for both RHIA and RHIT designations.
CAHIIM – Since 1935 the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education has established and enforced a formal curriculum model for both Health Informatics (masters programs) and Health Information Management (associate and baccalaureate programs). Their site contains current curriculum requirements for the various program levels of HIM, which are consistently updated.
