With so much information readily available, it is no wonder that information managers have become a vital part of many industries. A health information manager (HIM) is rapidly becoming an integral part of every healthcare facility to help handle the large amounts of data generated and ensure its security. Read on to find out what exactly a health information manager does, who they do it for, the field’s salary trends, and how to break into this career path.
What Is a Health Information Manager?
A health information manager is responsible for the processing, transfer and security of patient data within a healthcare facility or network. It is their job to ensure that all of the data collected is stored securely and easy to access when needed but only by the right people. Although a relatively new role in healthcare, it is rapidly becoming vital as the reliance on digital records continues to grow.
What Does a Health Information Manager Do?
An HIM works with patient data in a healthcare facility or network. This means they are tasked with taking all the data obtained from the patients, including diagnosis, symptoms, vital statistics, medications being taken, procedures scheduled or completed, tests results, insurance information and any other relevant information, and organizing and storing it.
While their exact duties may vary based on their specialty or the nature of the practice they work for, there are some duties that most health information managers are responsible for. These include:
- Making use of technology to improve the information systems and processes used by their practitioners to ensure accurate and thorough data collection and input
- Communicating with and training doctors and staff about best practices for gathering and inputting data
- Creating code or working with coders to continuously protect data from outside sources and fix bugs or glitches that may slow down the transfer of medical data or corrupt its accuracy
- Performing regular audits to ensure that all processes, data storage, and dissemination practices meet with all state and federal guidelines as well as those set by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- Tracking information to recognize trends or problem areas
- Analyzing all gathered health data to find inefficient practices or processes, preparing reports and assisting in research
Where Do Health Information Managers Work?
Health information managers can work anywhere medical data is collected, organized or stored, encompassing many opportunities when you include the various specialties within the medical field. Some of the most common places you will find HIMs include:
- Hospitals of all types — federal, state and private
- Physician’s offices, including all specialties
- Government organizations at local, state and federal levels
- Residential and long-term care facilities
- Outpatient care facilities
- Colleges and universities, both public and private
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2020, 33% of HIMs worked at hospitals, 10% in doctor’s offices, 7% in colleges and universities and 6% for federal or local governments.
Health Information Manager Salary Information
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Health Information Manager is $61,171.
This salary figure is based on information obtained from diverse locations across the United States. To find out more about what health information managers are earning in your location, conduct a local or regional search.
How to Become a Health Information Manager
Many health information managers begin their careers as health information specialists and work their way up through the ranks, gaining experience and furthering their education in the process. To become a health information specialist and begin your journey, you will need at last an associate degree in a relevant field, including health information management or medical records technology. You will also need to be proficient at data entry, have a solid grasp on medical terminology and procedures (minimally those associated with the medical specialty within which you will be working) and understand HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
Some of the positions you could consider to start your career include:
- Medical records technician. Also known as healthcare data analysts, medical coders, and health information specialists, these individuals are responsible for the accurate recording and collating of medical records.
- Compliance officer. This individual makes sure that health information is handled and stored following all local, state, and federal guidelines, including those set by the American Health Management Association (AHIMA).
- Patient information coordinator. These individuals are tasked with educating patients so they understand how to enter and retrieve their medical information.
If you want to start your career as a health information manager instead of working your way up through the ranks, more education is required. You may choose a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management which will lay a strong foundation of medical knowledge and management practices. You should round out your degree with courses in either health informatics or computer science courses.
If you are certain that a career in HIM is where you are headed, then a bachelor’s degree in healthcare information management is a good option. This course of study provides the necessary medical knowledge as well as the computer aspects needed to succeed in the field. For the best chance of scoring a high-level HIM position, further your education with a Master’s in Health Informatics offered by USF Health.
Health information management is a relatively new career option, with 90% of people having 4 years or less experience in the field, according to Glassdoor. That is not to say that it is a risky career choice. As the reliance on technology in the medical field continues to increase, the demand for those who know how to handle the technology to manage the data associated with medical facilities is also likely to continue to rise.
*National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.
