Test results, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatments - all this information needs to be current and well-managed to effectively treat patients. Reliable health information - whether stored on paper or electronic medical records - is critical to quality healthcare. That's why people who manage information technology in health care are in one of the most promising career fields. A Bright Future Because the health care sector is expanding, 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 care information technology graduates, according to a survey by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). More than half of new graduates with a bachelor's degree start with salaries in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. By five years out, one can earn upwards of $50,000 - $75,000 annually.
Most new health information management graduates with an associate's degree jump right in and earn $20,000 to $30,000 annually. These figures are just averages - many professionals report salaries upward from here.
Many Opportunities In addition, the profession offers career flexibility and a variety of workplace options. Depending on skills, education and interests, health care technology professionals with an associate's degree can hold positions such as health data analyst, insurance claims analyst, and clinical coding specialist; and with a bachelor's degree, jobs can include health information management director, health information management systems manager and information security officer.
Practice settings include hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies, and home care providers.
Get Certified After completing either an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, students complete a certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
The two key credentials are Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), which requires a bachelor's degree, and the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), which requires an associate's degree.
AHIMA also offers two credentials for experienced medical coders, who code the diagnosis and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients. These credentials are Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P).
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