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Health Information Management
What is Health Information Management?
Health Information Management (HIM) encompasses the business aspects of health services and the information systems used to plan, finance, and evaluate patient care. The profession focuses on management principles, information systems, finance, legal and ethical issues, quality improvement, clinical data management, and the skills necessary to manage people and systems. The health information manager plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises various aspects of care and services provided in health-related environments.
Graduates of the program acquire a business and information systems background as well as a strong healthcare background to more effectively communicate with medical professionals and consumers of healthcare. The graduate is prepared for entry-level management and staff positions in all sectors of the health care industry.
The field of Health Information Management represents the body of knowledge and practice that assures the availability of healthcare information to facilitate real-time healthcare delivery and critical health related decision-making for multiple purposes across diverse organizations, settings, and disciplines. It is concerned with the management of resources to collect, store, retrieve, interpret, and communicate healthcare information that deals with patient care, medico-legal issues, research, and the planning, provision, and evaluation of health care services.
HIMS is a great undergraduate program for students interested in obtaining their Bachelors of Science or for those students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), hospital administration, medicine, physician assistants, health informatics, business, law, and public health.
What types of classes will I be taking?
The HIM curriculum focuses on knowledge of management principles, reimbursement, finance, clinical data management, ethical and legal considerations, information systems and skills for managing people and systems that support the delivery of healthcare. Laboratory and professional practical experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum. The content of the curriculum is dynamic and continually changes as technical, social, and political forces impact the healthcare environment.
Where can I work after I obtain this degree?
HIM professionals work in a variety of healthcare, business, and/or government-related settings. They work closely with physicians, nurses, researchers, administrators, and other professionals involved in the delivery of healthcare. Management and staff positions are available in all sectors of the healthcare industry as noted below. As experience is gained, additional employment settings and career opportunities are open to the graduate.
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hospitals, |
sub-acute and ambulatory care facilities, |
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consulting companies, |
home health agencies, |
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vendors of health-related services, |
physician group practices, |
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managed care organizations, |
state and federal government entities, |
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long-term care facilites, |
non-profit agencies, and |
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behavioral healthcare, |
insurance or commercial companies. |
What are some of the possible job titles I could acquire?
Job titles for the graduate will vary depending on the place of employment and the responsibilities of the position. Common titles are: department director, manager, systems coordinator, privacy officer, compliance officer, clinical data manager or analyst, senior consultant, team leader, project manager, etc. Job possibilities and opportunities are expanding in all sectors of the healthcare industry given the need to protect the privacy and safety of patients.
What is an entry-level starting salary with a degree in HIMS?
Salaries for entry-level graduates range from $30,000 to $48,000 depending on the job title, employment setting, and background of the individual. As experience is gained, salaries may increase ranging from $40,000 to $100,000+. The sky's the limit and the challenge is yours.
Is it possible to get certified after I graduate?
Yes! Upon completion of the HIM degree, graduates are eligible for professional certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), a credential that is recognized throughout the healthcare industry. Only graduates from an accredited program are entitled to take the national certification examination**. Successful completion of the exam entitles the graduate to use the credential RHIA.
In addition, the knowledge and skills gained through the HIM curriculum along with practical work experience makes the graduate eligible for additional certifications in specialty areas such as Clinical Coding, and Healthcare Privacy and Security. Such certifications add to the professionalism and employability of the graduate as the graduate moves through his or her career. A credential has been found to increase the earning power of an individual over time. For detailed information on credentials offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) see: http://www.ahima.org/certification
**The Health Information Management and Systems (HIMS) academic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Mission of the Division
The Health Information Management and Systems Division is responsible for preparing confident, adaptable, reflective, and service oriented practitioners who can identify and use a variety of information resources and technologies to accomplish the objectives of diverse practice environments. The division's curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become self-directed learners who possess critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, communication and interpersonal skills, a commitment to life-long learning, and important ethical values. The division's educational process fosters the acquisition of leadership abilities and systems thinking necessary for adapting careers within a changing health care environment. Graduates of the program will contribute to society and the future of the profession through collaborative practice, innovative teaching, and the discovery and application of new knowledge concerning health information management.
Accreditation Status of the HIMS Program
The Ohio State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. At the programmatic level, the HIMS division is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM is the accrediting organization for degree-granting programs in health informatics and information management. CAHIIM serves the public interest by establishing quality standards for the educational preparation of future health information management (HIM) professionals. When a program is accredited by CAHIIM, it means that it has voluntarily undergone a rigorous review process and has been determined to meet or exceed the standards.
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