What is a health information manager?
Health information managers work in hospitals, ambulatory health care facilities, physician offices, industrial clinics, state and federal health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, insurance and consulting agencies, and in other areas where patient or health data is maintained. They perform technical functions, such as evaluating health records and reports for accuracy and completeness; compiling , interpreting, and utilizing hospital and health care statistics; coding, diseases, and operations according to a recognized classification system; assisting with medical facility committee procedures; releasing confidential information in accordance with legal requirements; processing patient claims and bills; abstracting and retrieving medical information; and often performing as first-line supervisors. Students in the curriculum are required to earn a grade of " C" or better in each health information course before being allowed to proceed to the next.
Find out more about being a health information manager, click here
How does this program prepare me for a career?
The associate of applied science program provides students with an opportunity to sit for the RHIT and/or CCA national accreditation exams. Students take lecture and lab courses as well as clinical courses in affiliated hospital and other health care health information departments in the metropolitan area. Students are able to seek employment during the day, since courses are offered during the evening and online.
What professions can I expect to enter after completing this program?
HIM professionals enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth. Based on your skills, education and interests, job titles may include:
- Health Data Analyst
- Insurance Claims Specialist
- Records Technician Specialist
- Clinical Coding Specialist
- Physician Practice Manager
- Patient Information Coordinator
- TUMOR Registrar
- HIM Department Supervisor
- Data Quality Manager
- HIM Systems Analyst
HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry, from hospitals, to physician offices to insurance agencies. For more information about HIM professionals in the workplace, click here: HIM Careers Map
What is the employment outlook for the next decade?
HIM professionals can expect to be in high demand as the health sector expands into the next century. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information technology as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the US.
On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await health information management graduates. More than half of new graduates with an associate’s degree start with salaries in the $35,000 to $45,000 range. By five years out, a credentialed health information professional can earn upwards of $55,000 - $85,000 annually. And these figures are just averages – many HIM professionals report salaries higher than average. To see the results of AHIMA’s latest member salary and profile survey, click here.
Is this program accredited or certified?
The program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education(CAAHIIM) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Whom do I contact for more information?
For more information about the Health Information Management or Coder/Abstractor/Biller Certificate Program contact:
Corinne Smith, MBA RHIA CCS
Health Information Management Program Coordinator
corinne.smith@montgomerycollege.edu
(240) 567-5521
Takoma Park