Education Engine - Health Information Management and Health Information Technology

The fast growing field of Health Information Management is an excellent career choice for individuals who want to work in healthcare but not work directly with patients. Federal legislation has mandated that patient information be entered into computer databases and that patient records be kept electronically. This push for advanced health information technology has created a need for trained and educated professionals.

Health Information professionals gather, code, manage, and maintain patient health information. They should be detail-oriented and often function as detectives. Proper coding and information management is necessary for healthcare providers to get reimbursed accurately and in a timely manner. HIM managers supervise coders and analyze data to improve care and resource use.

Heatlh Information Management Career Options:

With a Bachelor's Degree:

HIM Department Director
HIM System Manager
Data Quality Manager
Chief Privacy Officer
HIM College Instructor
Consultant

With an Associate's Degree:

Health Data Analyst
Insurance Claims Analyst
Records Technician Specialist
Clinical Coding Specialist
Physician Practice Manager
Patient Information Coordinator

Health Information Technology Salary
According to The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the median annual salary for entry level medical records and health information management specialists was $48,000 in 2008. With professional experience, the middle 50 percent earned $60,000 to $86,000 in 2008. The lowest 10 percent earned under $32,000 while the top 10 percent earned over $200,000. As in all fields, salaries can differ based on education, experience, location, and employer.

To be eligible for the RHIT exam, candidates must have earned an associate degree in health information management or technology accredited by CAHIIM.

To be eligible for the RHIA exam, candidates must have completed a bachelor degree level health information management program accredited by CAHIIM.

Featured Online Schools Offering
Health Information Management and Health Information Technology

Rasmussen College Online

Applied Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
Rasmussen's Health Information Technology AAS Degree program will prepare students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Accredited by CAHIIM, the program provides student with the required high quality education and covers mandatory topics such as:

Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Terminology
Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced ICD-9-CM Coding
Ambulatory Care Coding
Intro to Health Information Management
Medical Insurance and Billing
Quality Analysis and Management
Pathology
Medical Law and Ethics
Medical Coding Practicum
Healthcare Information Technologies

Reasons to choose Rasmussen College:

No Cost One-on-One Tutoring
Dedicated Student Support Services
Career Services to students with each step of finding a new job
Job Placement Assistance
Numerous Financial Aid Programs

Rasmussen College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Health Information Technology program is accredited the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

DeVry University Online and Campus U.S. and Canada

Health Information Technology - Associate of Science
DeVry's CAHIIM accredited Health Information Technology program prepares graduates to work with applications systems and manage electronic health information databases.

Graduates of the Health Information Technology Associate Degree Program will be able to:

Perform complex clinical coding tasks
Support healthcare data anaylsis and management using applications software
Analyze and manage healthcare data
Use principles of life sciences and information technology to implement and evaluate solutions to heatlhcare information technology problems

CAHIIM accredited HIT Associate Degree programs are also available at the following DeVry campus locations:

California : Long Beach, Pomona, Sherman Oaks
Georgia : Atlanta, Decatur
Illinois : Chicago
New Jersey : North Brunswick
Pennsylvania : Philadelphia
Texas : Houston, Irving

Technical Management / Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
This online degree program in Technical Management with a technical specialty in Health Information Management (HIM) provides the experience and knowledge students need to progress in their profession. Some of the positions available with a bachelor's degree include HIM Department Director, Health Information System Manager, Chief Privacy Officer, Clinical Data Specialist, Information Security Manager and Product Marketing Specialist. The online program of the HIM BS Degree has been accredited by CAHIIM.

Reasons to choose DeVry University:

Recognized leader in technology based education for over 75 years
Access to latest technology and tools, including up-to-date coding and chart management lab software and industry standard curriculum
80% of 2007 HIT graduates were employed in their field

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA). The Health Information Technology Associate Degree is CAHIIM accredited for the online program and at the Long Beach, Pomona, Sherman Oaks, Atlanta, Decatur, Chicago, North Brunswick, Philadelphia, and Irving campuses. The Technical Management Bachelor Degree with a Specialization in Health Information Management is CAHIIM accredited for the online program.

University of Cincinnati Online

Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
This CAHIIM accredited Health Information Management Bachelor of Science degree is designed for the busy working professional who wants to advance their career without sacrificing their responsibilities at work and at home. This RHIT progression program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through prior education and work experience. Graduates of this program are equipped with the knowledge to take the RHIA certification exam.

The Health Information Management BS Degree program covers topics such as:

Health Data Management
Clinical Data Management
Applied Reiumbursement Methods
Computer Systems in Healthcare
Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare
Quality Management and Performance Improvement

Reasons to choose University of Cincinnati:

Experienced Staff
Innovative Curriculum
Competitive Tuition
Devoted Student Support Team

UC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Campus Based Programs Offering
Health Information Management and Health Information Technology

California

DeVry University Long Beach, Pomona, Sherman Oaks