Health Information Management professionals provide service to the healthcare industry and the public by managing, analyzing, and utilizing data that is vital for patient care. Healthcare is expanding on many fronts and as a Health Information Management professional you can be the expert in the areas of health care technology, patient data maintenance, data management and coding information for reimbursement and research. These functions are key tasks in the delivery of quality care to patients.

What Type of Job Can You Expect To Have in Health Information Management?

With an Associate's Degree Health Data Analyst Insurance Claims Analyst Records Technician Specialist Clinical Coding Specialist Physician Practice Manager Patient Information Coordinator

With a Bachelor's Degree: HIM Department Director HIM System Manager Data Quality Manager Information Security Officer HIM College Instructor Chief Privacy Officer HIM College Instructor Consultant

HIM professionals can work in a wide variety of settings in the healthcare arena that include hospitals, physician offices, insurance agencies and many more. Because HIM professionals are in high demand, the salaries for qualified graduates and experienced professionals are competitive and can range anywhere from $30,000 for new graduates to as much as $50,000 to $75,000+ for more experienced professionals.

Getting There

The first step begins with an education in the health information management field. You will need to complete either an associate or bachelor's degree program in health information management offered at numerous accredited institutions across the country.

After completing your HIM training, the next step is to successfully complete a certification exam. Earning a credential validates your competence as an HIM professional to employers and the public. Certifications offered by AHIMA include:

Following initial certification, AHIMA members maintain their credentials through continuing education requirements.

For more information on becoming certified as an HIM professional, visit the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) website. A link to the AHIMA web site is located on our Web Links page.

Northern Virginia Community College
Health Information Technology Program
6699 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 22150

Zakevia D. Green, MSHA, RHIA
Assistant Dean
703-822-6580 (Office)
703-462-3302 (Cell)
E-mail: zgreen@nvcc.edu

Tidewater Community College
Health Information Technology Program
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Leslie Twine, MBA, RHIA
Program Director
757-822-7262 (Telephone)
757-822-7503 (Fax)
757-636-2001 (Cell)
E-mail: tctwinl@tcc.edu

Note: Challenge exams available for required courses. Offers an organized system of getting students in touch with HIM professional during the student recruitment effort.

For a complete list of all accredited schools across the country, visit the AHIMA website at http://www.ahima.org/careers/college_search/search.asp.