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Health Information Management
By: Caroline Cosgrove
By: Caroline Cosgrove
I have entered Indian River State College’s Health Information Management program. In order to ensure this career path is right for me, I have researched the field in an effort to learn more about it before officially making it my career. In my report, I examine the requirements, job outlook, duties, and income related to this career.
- Skills and Education - The required education for health information management consists of knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. Administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as: word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology are also important (O-Net On-line). The required skills for health information management include good listening skills, giving one’s undivided attention to the person who is speaking, and asking questions if needed. Reading comprehension, speaking, critical thinking, and time management are also necessary skills. These skills involve understanding written documents, being able to speak to others, identifying solutions to problems, and managing the time of others as well as one’s own time (O-Net On-line).
Schooling and Training - According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Medical records and health information technicians generally have an associate degree.” For those pursuing a job as a technician, an associate’s degree is recommended but not required. Those who work at least one year with experienced health information management employees generally don’t need an associate degree (O-Net On-line). The Bureau of Labor Statistics says, “Typical coursework in health information technology includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements, clinical classification and coding systems, data analysis, healthcare reimbursement methods, database security and management, and quality improvement methods.”
Future outlook for Health Information Management - The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 20 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.” One of the reasons for employment growth is that the Baby Boom generation is reaching retirement age and will be in need of more medical treatments, tests, and procedures. In addition to an aging population, more technicians will be needed due to the use of new electronic health records. The new technicians must fulfill the new duties managing electronic data. Technicians who show a strong grasp of computer software and technology will have a better chance of being hired than those who don’t have those skills (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The normal functions and duties required of the position - Health information technicians work in an office setting. Most health-related occupations deal with patients on a daily basis, but health information management deals more with medical records of the patients being cared for. Health information management is a very flexible career in which many people work part-time. According to bls.gov, about 14 percent of technicians worked part-time in 2008 (O-Net On-line). Technicians arrange patients' health information including: medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services. Technicians also organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Technicians’ work can alter depending on the setting and size of the facility they work in. One of the great things about being a health information technician is the ability to specialize in many areas of information. Some technicians specialize in coding patients’ medical records for billing and reimbursement, while others specialize in cancer registry (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The income and promotional opportunities available - The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated “The median annual wage of medical records and health information technicians was $30,610 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,290 and $39,490. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,060” (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Salaries can be viewed on this Web site http://www.ahima.org/Images/Graphic3.gif. There are many promotional opportunities available for health information technicians. Most people start off as a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and then become a Certified Coding Specialist. When one earns his or her associate’s degree, he or she is a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Once a baccalaureate degree is earned, the title given is a Registered Health Information Administrator. One can then receive advanced credentials and then Master’s in Health Informatics (O-Net On-line).
Recommendations - After completing my research on health information management as a possible career, I have decided that it is the right choice for me. I learned that it may take more time to move up the “promotional ladder” than I initially thought, but I am confident that I can handle the work required. I enjoy the office setting and the duties that come along with it, and I want to make sure that when I graduate, I have a good chance of finding a well-paying position in the local area. A career as a Health Information Manager has a great deal to offer, and I look forward to the challenge.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Medical Records and Health Information
Technicians. 2009. Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment
Projections, PSB Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington,
O-Net On-line. Summary Report for: 29-2071.00 – Medical Records and
Health Information Technicians. 2010. US Department of Labor/
Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Web. 22
I hope your life is going well. Remember to be happy. ♥
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