What is health information
management?
Health information management (HIM) is the practice of
acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical
information vital to providing quality patient care. Health information
management professionals work in a variety of different settings and job
titles. They often serve in bridge roles, connecting clinical,
operational, and administrative functions. These professionals affect the
quality of patient information and patient care at every touch point in the
healthcare delivery cycle. Having skilled HIM professionals on staff ensures
an organization has the right information on hand when and where it is needed
while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality and
security.
What is a health information
manager?
HIM professionals are highly trained in the latest
information management technology applications and understand the workflow in
any healthcare provider organization from large hospital systems to the private
physician practice. 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 in the program.
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 CCS 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 in the evening and online.
A career in HIM is right for you if you:
- See
yourself in a career that offers diverse opportunities
- Would
like to work in health care, but not directly with patients
- Have
an aptitude for science, but also like management, law and computers
- Enjoy
working with professionals such as physicians, nurses, lawyers,
administrators and executives
- Want a
career where you can choose to work on your own, with others, or some of
both
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
- Cancer
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 HIM associate degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for
Health Informatics and Information Management Education(CAHIIM).
Students successfully completing the Health Information Management
Program are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician
(RHIT) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association
(AHIMA). Medical Coder/Biller/Abstractor Certificate Program and Health
Information Management Program students are eligible to take the Certified
Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exams offered by
the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
What are your program
outcomes?
The Health Information Management Program completes an
Annual Program Assessment Review (APAR) report for CAHIIM. Outcomes from
the most recent (2014) program review include:
- 100%
of respondents to an employer survey indicated they are satisfied with
graduates of the Montgomery College Health Information Management Program
- 98% of
respondents to a graduate survey indicated they were able to find
employment in the health care field within six months of RHIT
certification..
- The
Montgomery College HIM Program RHIT pass rate for the class of 2014 was
80%, 10% higher than the national RHIT pass rate (70%).
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 CDIP
Health Information Management Program Coordinator
corinne.smith@montgomerycollege.edu
(240) 567-5521
Takoma Park