What Can You Do With a Degree in Health Information Management?

The outlook for careers in health information management (HIM) is bright. According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), health information professionals are in “high demand” as dramatic changes in the health care industry increase the need to integrate technology into patient care.

What is health information management? AHIMA offers this two-part definition:

• Health information is the data related to a person’s medical history, including symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes. Health information records include patient histories, lab results, X-rays, clinical information, and notes.
• Health information management is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting such information as a means to provide quality patient care.

Are you considering earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management? Here are the career opportunities for these degrees.*

Patient Information Coordinator

An Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management may qualify you for the role of patient information coordinator. They provide inbound and outbound call support and customer service to patients, doctors, medical office staff, and any additional health care customers, AHIMA reports. Responsibilities include:

• Recording patients’ clinical and financial information, demographics, and insurance information
• Scheduling visits
• Verifying insurance benefits
• Explaining benefits
• Releasing medical records to patients and third party requestors (with valid authorization)

Data Quality Manager

A data quality manager leads the quality management department of a health care facility, according to AHIMA. They help with the ongoing assessment, development, and oversight of data quality management. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management may qualify you for this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and delegating program activities at hospitals by working with doctors and the rest of the care team
• Developing departmental goals and strategies to achieve those goals
• Staying current on health care industry standards, industry changes, and compliance issues

Clinical Data Manager

With a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management, you may qualify to be a clinical data manager. A clinical data manager analyzes clinical data to identify and report trends, according to O*NET. Responsibilities include:

• Designing and validating clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks
• Processing clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information
• Generating data queries to solve problems
• Developing plans that address and improve processes including coding, reporting, data transfer, database locks, and workflow

Medical Records and Health Information Technician

A medical records and health information technician maintains patients’ medical records for hospitals, doctors offices, and other health care facilities, O*NET reports. Responsibilities include:

• Compiling, processing, and reporting patient information while adhering to the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care industry
• Retrieving medical records for doctors and other medical personnel
• Assigning the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) using appropriate computer software
• Processing admission and discharge documents

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management can help you qualify for this role.

Compliance Officer

A compliance officer ensures that medical facilities conform to the laws and regulations governing the health care industry and related licenses and permits, AHIMA reports. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management can help prepare you for this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Inspecting and analyzing compliance and enforcement activities
• Reviewing data security and ensuring protection of Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Providing guidance to coworkers regarding compliance issues
• Ensuring new compliance requirements are implemented with regard to regulatory and contract language

Health Information Manager

With a master’s in health information management, you may be qualified to work as a health information manager. A health information manager leads a health care facility’s health information management department and involves planning, organizing, and following up on all related activities, according to AHIMA. Responsibilities include:

• Supervising the department with regards to financial management, goal setting, planning, policy and procedure development, quality assurance and improvement, and supervision and competency of staff
• Performing quality assurance functions required for compliance, accrediting agencies, and regulatory issues
• Training staff regarding the medical record contents, coding, confidentiality, and security
• Creating and monitoring the department’s budget

Further Your Career With a Degree in Health Information Management

Purdue Global offers two online HIM degrees:

• Online Bachelor's in Health Information Management
• Online Master of Science in Health Information Management

Gain the real-world knowledge and practical career skills you need to succeed in this exciting and growing field. Our online format is tailored to meet the needs of busy working adults. Reach out to us today to learn more.