Due to the advancements in technology, the HIM field has evolved into something complex over the last few decades. From medical records written on pieces of paper by healthcare individuals to EHR (electronic health records) systems nowadays, the health information management field has evolved leaps and bounds. The HIM (health information management) field is an old one, which has been in existence for more than eight decades. This field centers on taking down patient medical records with minimal errors and introducing new ways to reduce the cost of managing such patient information, which results in improved patient care.
A patient’s medical information can contain anything from diagnoses and symptoms to treatments and their outcomes. The may include lab results such as X-rays, MRIs, CT-scans, clinical notes, and more. An individual holding a health information management degree has the responsibility to create, handle, and organize this data.
HIM professionals ensure that this information is up to date, accurate, and remains confidential. If you are someone who holds a health information management degree, you have come to the right place. If you have the interest to work in health information management, consider the following five job options you can apply for if you hold such a degree.
CLINICAL DATA HANDLER
Medical research is at the forefront of every medical institution nowadays. Due to advancements in the field of medicine, the data collected also become more intricate and complex. It is the job of a clinical data handler to ensure that data collected during such research remains accurate and organized. Other duties may include data evaluation, acquisition, and updating data management plans.
Clinical data handlers may also be required to play a role in maintaining and updating protocols for the data collection process as well as the training and leading of data collection teams. To work as a clinical data handler, you must have a masters degree in health information management from a reputed university. As one who works in health information management, you are the forerunner at ensuring that healthcare advancements see the light of day. The average pay of a clinical data handler is around 53,000 dollars per year.
MEDICAL PRIVACY OFFICER
The U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures that every patient’s data remains protected and confidential. Therefore, all medical institutions should adhere to privacy rules to protect themselves and ensure that their patients are safe and secure. A medical privacy officer’s job is to ensure that patient medical data is protected when a medical institution shares it with other authorized agencies.
They may also play a role in developing such privacy policies and ensuring that individuals in the health care system do not compromise. While clinical data handlers may not interact with patients, they play a crucial role in ensuring their safety and protection. The average pay of a medical privacy officer is around 89,000 dollars per year.
CLINICAL SYSTEMS MANAGER
A clinical system manager plays a crucial role in managing the computer system of a medical institution. Their primary job in a medical institution is to update and maintain their computer systems. While having general technical skills is necessary for a clinical systems manager, they also need to have the know-how of medical-specific hardware, networks, and software.
This role is best suited for individuals who hold a health information management degree with a strong background in information technology. The average pay of a clinical systems manager is around 72,000 dollars per year.
MEDICAL CODING MANAGER
Every healthcare institution has a reliance on a team of medical coders to convert raw data collected from medical procedures and treatments into readable information and statistics to ensure quality control and cost-effectiveness. It is the role of medical coding managers to head the teams of coders. They typically have prior knowledge about medical coding. However, they have to take on more leadership and administrative roles for the IT department of a medical institution. Their job description includes responsibilities such as ensuring patient medical records, network, and software security. Generally, the health information management field deals with statistics and research. However, medical coding managers focus on their administrative skills to create and manage medical coding teams, ensuring smooth departmental operations.
MEDICAL RECORDS DIRECTOR
Like other management roles at a healthcare institution, a medical records director can manage a medical institution’s health information department. Their job may require them to take care of patient data, maintain security and safety, and make sure they are accurate and incomplete. They also play a crucial role in employee hiring and providing training to existing ones, so that they remain up-to-date with the latest practices and technologies.
To work as a medical records director, individuals must have prior experience working in an administrative role at a medical institution. Also, they need to have further education in health information management, as this is not an entry-level job. The average pay of a medical records director is around 124,000 dollars per year.
THE FINAL WORDS
If you are an individual interested in the health information management field and is somewhat of a technology geek, the career choices you will have within the health information management field will surely pique your interest. Whether you just graduated or you want to look at other career options, the five job options mentioned in this article offer a perfect starting point for individuals who are looking to pursue a career in this field.
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