What is Health Information Management? Why it May be the Career for You

health information management roles and responsibilities
If you are looking to begin a career in healthcare, there are many different options to explore. Healthcare is a very broad career path that involves many different duties, job titles, and schooling requirements. One branch to consider is a career in Health Information Management! Working in this role could give you the opportunity to become a vital member of a healthcare team. Those in the health information management roles help play an important part in keeping offices orderly, accurate, and safe. Continue reading as we discuss what is health information management, and dive deeper into different health information management roles and responsibilities!

What Is Health Information Management?

When considering entering this field, it is important to understand what health information management roles and responsibilities are and what they might entail if you choose to pursue this career. According to the bureau of labor statistics, medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data by ensuring that it maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and electronic systems ¹. Documenting a patient’s health and medical records is vital in keeping a medical facility running smoothly. By embarking on this career journey, you could learn the skills needed for medical billing and coding, which could significantly impact the healthcare field. Although this job does not normally involve direct patient care, it is vital to ensure patient records are accurate, easily accessible, and secure.

Health Information Management Roles and Responsibilities

Health information technicians are tasked with health information management roles and responsibilities that are vital to the proper function of a medical office. These employees ensure that patient data is accurate, easy to access, and secure. Health information management roles and responsibilities can be best fulfilled by those who possess the following qualities:
  • Analytical skills: Health information technicians must be able to understand and follow medical records and diagnoses to be able to code them into patient files
  • Detail-oriented: Health information technicians must be accurate when coding and filing patient records
  • Integrity: Health information technicians must exercise discretion as patient data is required, by law, to be kept confidential
  • Interpersonal skills: Health information technicians must be able to discuss patient information and data with healthcare providers and finance personnel
  • Technical skills: Health information technicians must use coding and classification software and become familiar with the electronic health record (EHR) system that their facility uses ²
Health information technicians should also be equipped with the skills needed for billing and coding. It could prove vital to acquire technical skills and have an understanding of various software applications and basic operations of medical office administration. In order to help you meet these health information management requirements, enrolling in a career training program could be the first step!

Health Information Management Education Requirements

Did you know that education requirements for this field vary by state? Some organizations base certification on passing an exam. Others require graduation from an accredited program ². In order to prepare for health information management roles and responsibilities, many enroll in a diploma program. This allows students to work through health information management courses. Those who are looking for a career in the field can complete their health information management education requirements through traditional classroom learning and hands-on training. During your training, you could become educated on medical terminology, technical skills, software applications, and more! It could be important to gain the skills needed for medical billing and coding that help you develop a working knowledge of health information management requirements. You could learn how to fulfill health information management roles and responsibilities by enrolling in health information management courses in an accredited program.

Discover the Health Information Management, Billing and Coding Program at Blue Cliff College

If you are looking for a training program to help prepare you for health information management roles and responsibilities, look no further than Blue Cliff College! The Blue Cliff College Health Information Management, Billing and Coding diploma program allows students to learn about the skills needed for medical billing and coding and the basic operations of medical office administration. Blue Cliff College offers the health information management course in the following campus locations: The health information management course curriculum covers the many aspects that answer the question “What is Health Information Management?” By beginning your career journey, you could learn the skills needed for medical billing and coding, which are vital in keeping any medical office organized and secure. The curriculum and training could help prepare students for a successful, rewarding career in the growing healthcare industry. Enroll today and discover why the Health Information Management, Billing and Coding diploma program at Blue Cliff College could be the first step toward the best career for you!   Sources
  1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-2
  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-4

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