1 Health Information Management An Allied Health Care Profession and Career Opportunity Since 1928

2 What is Health Information Management? Information is the lifeblood of the health care delivery system. The medical record, in manual or automated form, houses the medical information that describes all aspects of patient care.

3 HIM Role in Health Care A health record is one person’s health information, created and maintained for the purposes of: –Communicating among caregivers –Protecting the legal interests of the patient, the physician, and the facility –Substantiating reimbursement claims –Providing data for medical education and research –Supporting quality healthcare improvement initiatives HIMs are the professionals who ensure the record serves these purposes.

4 Career Outlook Career (job) prospects are excellent –Meaning: Job openings compared to jobseekers may be more numerous Expected to grow much faster than average due to –rapid growth in technology –Treatments and Procedures –Increased scrutiny by third-party payers regulators courts consumers

5 Career Growth Second fastest growing occupation Third largest increase in employment Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (

6 Salary Information More than 55% of registered HIMs now earn $40,000 or more annually, a 19% increase since Salary Range: $25,000 to $60,000 –Sources:

7 Who Are The HIMmers? Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) –Emphasis of education is on the management of human and nonhuman resources. (Typically Managers) Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) –Emphasis of education is on the technical competencies of managing health information. (Typically Supervisors)

8 Who Are The HIMmers? Certified Coding Specialists –Credentials represent advanced coding skills in either the inpatient (CCS) or outpatient (CCS-P) environments. Certified Coding Assistant –Credentials represent entry-level coding skills. –Equivalent to RHIT credentials but far more limited in scope.

9 Where are HIMmer’s Hospitals (Private and Public Health Settings) Physician offices and group practices Long term Care facilities Home Health and Hospice Agencies Managed care groups Industrial and college health facilities Insurance companies Accounting and law firms Virtually any business organization where records are stored and maintained

10 How Do You Join The HIM Profession? Explore HIM Career –Talk to career counselor and college advisor –Job Shadow and Interview a HIM professional nearest you –Apply to a program, enroll, and complete a 2-year degree program from an accredited Health Information Management program

11 National Association American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) –The HIM professional’s association Founded in 1928 – –Mailing address 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2150, Chicago, IL –Learn more about HIM careers –Get firsthand viewpoints –Check out financing opportunities

12 College Opportunity United Tribes Technical College –Open enrollment policy – –Mailing address: 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND –HIT Program Director Karla Baxter, RHIA Telephone: ext. 245

13 College Opportunity North Dakota State College of Science –Open enrollment policy – –Mailing address: th Street North, Wahpeton, ND, –HIT Program Director: Geralyn Matejcek, RHIA Telephone Number:

14 Financial Aid AHIMA Foundation of Research and Education –Loans –Scholarships Indian Health Service –Scholarships North Dakota HIM Association –Scholarship(s) Traditional Loan and Grant Aid Programs –Available through colleges

15 HIM Profession Summarized Professionals in High Demand Change is only thing constant! Central to quality patient care and health care delivery of quality services. Assist physicians and caregivers Interpret data to information to help management make important decisions. Scout congressional and legislative changes that impact health care. Dynamic – Challenging – Fun – Rewarding

16 The End Good luck with your career choices.