For anyone who is detail oriented and can plan and organize efficiently, a
career in health information administration might be a perfect choice. A
health information administrator, sometimes called a health information
manager, is a professionally trained person who is responsible for the
upkeep of patients' medical records in a hospital or other health care
facility. They design and manage health information systems to insure they
meet medical, legal, and ethical standards. Seeing that each patient's
medical record is complete, kept confidential, and safeguarded from
individuals not involved with the medical care of the patient are
paramount concerns. The duties and responsibilities of a health
information administrator are largely dependent on the size and type of
health facility they work in. They usually have a number of personnel that
work under them and are responsible for training and directing them.
Accurate records are necessary for research, insurance claims, legal
actions, evaluation of treatment and medications prescribed, and for
instruction of various medical personnel. Health information
administrators also help in assisting the medical staff in evaluating the
quality of health care that patients receive in a particular health
facility.
The preparation, preservation, and accuracy of medical record are not only
important to the daily functioning of a hospital, but also for hospital
accreditation procedures. All of this translates into the vital role that
health information administrators play in the overall quality of patient
care.
Work Environment:
Health information administrators work in hospitals, home health agencies,
insurance agencies, consulting firms, government agencies, outpatient
clinics, health care computing industries, long-term care facilities, and
private industries.
High School Preparation:
Individuals interested in a career as a health information administrator
should take courses in algebra, biology, chemistry, computer skills, data
processing, psychology, English, government, history, literature, foreign
language, anatomy, sociology, and health occupations/medical professions.
College Requirements:
Students interested in health information administration must complete a
baccalaureate degree program from an accredited institution, which is
generally 4 years in length. Graduates are then eligible to take the
national registration examination offered by the American Health
Information Management Association. Once the exam is successfully passed,
an individual then becomes a registered health information administrator (RHIA).
Students interested in health information administration should contact
schools for information on admission and course of study
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study
click here.
Career Outlook:
In the years to come hospitals will continue to be the highest employer of
health information professionals. There is expected to be over a 25%
increase in the number of health information administrators through the
year 2010. This is mainly due to the need for detailed and highly
organized medical records that will be increasingly scrutinized by third
party payers, courts, and consumers. Many other health care facilities
such as health maintenance organizations nursing homes, and home health
agencies will also be utilizing health information personnel because of
the need to keep accurate and secure medical records.
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Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$69,800
Salary Range
$52,800-$84,600
Professional Organizations:
American Health Information
Management Association
919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611-1683
Phone: (312) 787-2672
www.ahima.org
Medical Records Institute
567 Walnut Street
PO Box 289
Newton, MA 02160
www.medrecinst.com
Mississippi Health Information Association
921 North Congress Street
Jackson, MS 39202-2554
Phone: (601) 956-4105
Download our
Health Information Administrator brochure
here.
(Acrobat reader required)
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