By DeVry University
January 5, 2023
6 min read
January 5, 2023
6 min read
Health information management (HIM) is a term used to describe the practice of acquiring, analyzing, managing and protecting the health information that is essential to providing quality patient care.
HIM can be used to describe both traditional and digital medical information, but is more typically used to broadly describe the use of various technologies to maintain patient records. As the computerization of health records has mostly replaced paper-based records, the practice of HIM has become vital to the healthcare industry, according to the employment website Indeed.
Coding and revenue cycle management: This aspect of HIM includes medical billing and coding professionals specifically, who assign diagnostic and procedural codes for billing to manage the revenue flow along the patient journey from registration to final discharge.
Health informatics: This part involves the technological aspects of managing health information. Data analytics, for example, manages the integrity of data through mapping and quality improvement processes.
Keep health information secure: This important element of HIM involves compliance and adherence to government and industry regulations that ensure the protection of patient information.
Structuring and maintain health information systems to meet various ethical, medical and legal standards.
Making sure that medical records are kept confidential and organized.
Inputting and monitoring the information found in EMR
Monitoring trends from audits or claim denials.
Reviewing data to find ways to improve processes, how they conduct research reporting methodology.
Compliance auditor
Health informatics specialist
Health records equipment software sales
Healthcare data analyst
Management consultant
Medical records supervisor†
Patient account specialist
Systems analyst
†Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.
What’s the outlook for growth in this career? Occupational outlook data from the BLS shows that employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031 on a national level, much faster than the average for all occupations, and about 56,000 job opening are projected each year for professionals in this category, on average, over the decade.1
If you’re wondering about certifications for health information management professionals, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers multiple options including the Registered Health Information Administrator, or RHIA®. According to AHIMA, by completing the requirements of the certification, you are demonstrating that you have knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and privacy of protected patient information.
Looking for a field that may offer job opportunities to work in either a facility, office or remotely
Meticulous and detail-oriented
Interest in pursuing a career in management
Enjoy learning new technologies
1Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
*Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Naperville Campus: 1200 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online compliant system http://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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