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A health information specialist falls under the broader category of medical records and health information technicians. They can work in hospitals or in doctor's offices and clinics. They primarily handle medical records, and are responsible for compiling, organizing, and maintaining highly confidential patient records in accordance with proper rules and regulations. They are also responsible for data entry and play significant roles in medical billing and coding.
Entry-level positions typically require an associate's degree. While certification is not always required, individuals who possess certification as a Registered Health Information Technicians through the Commission on the Accreditation of Health Informatics & Information Management (CAHIIM), can certainly expect to make more money than those who do not.
There is a lot of room for growth within this position as well, and if you are an ambitious and willing to put in the effort, you can pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Management and certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator to move up in the industry. With this more advanced degree and certification, you may potentially work in managerial positions within health care information departments at a medical institution.
Great question! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $38,040 in May 2016.
The outlook for this position is pretty good, as well, with employment estimated to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024.
If the education requirements have not scared you off, read on! This is what you can expect to do on a daily basis:
If this sounds like a good fit for you, go for it! Research some schools where you might want to pursue your associate's or bachelor's degree. Attend local career fairs and shadow a health information specialist, if possible. Put yourself out there: show them that you are interested and highly motivated. Best of luck!
Health information specialists are also known as medical records technicians or health information technicians. You will need at least an associate's degree for an entry-level position. You are strongly encouraged to pursue certification as a Registered Health Information Technicians through the Commission on the Accreditation of Health Informatics & Information Management (CAHIIM). Job outlook is great, with a projected faster-than-average job growth of 15% from 2014-2024.
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