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A Career in Health Information Management
 Do you see yourself..........working in the healthcare field but not necessarily providing direct patient care?
...working in a career that provides a variety of opportunities?
..as having good science, computers and management skills?
..working with doctors, nurses, lawyers, administrators or executives?
..working on your own making your own hours, decisions and opportunities?
Then a career in HIM is right for you!
Opportunities for Health Information Management (HIM) professionals exist in a variety of work settings. Traditionally, HIM Specialists are employed in hospitals or clinics, but an increasing number of jobs exist in settings such as health maintenance organizations, physician offices, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance and pharmaceutical companies as well as with information system vendors.
The outlook for jobs in HIM is very good. View the AHIMA 2008 Salary Survey
Based on your skills, education, and interests, here are just some of the positions available to you:
 With a Bachelor's Degree (RHIA):
HIM Department Director
HIM System Manager
Data Quality Manager
Chief Privacy Officer
HIM College Instructor
Consultant
Coding Professional
Business Process Engineer
Healthcare Consumer Advocate
Clinical Data Analyst
e-HIM Project Manager
HIS Application Designer
With an Associate's Degree (RHIT):
Coder
HIM Department Manager or Supervisor
Health Data Analyst
Insurance Claims Analyst
Records Technician Specialist
Consultant
Cancer or Other Disease Registrar
Quality Improvement Specialist
Information Access/Disclosure Specialist
Charge Master Auditor
Instructor/Trainer
Colleges & Certification 
Ohio has many excellent accredited schools in which you can receive either an associates or bachelor's degree program in health information management.
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits institutions granting associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees while pre-degree coding programs seek approval from the American Health Information Management Association.
Why is it important to attend an accredited program?
Attending an accredited program ensures that the college is compliant with higher education expectations and that the curriculum is relevant and up-to-date. These accredited programs meet or exceed the minimum standards which make the graduate more marketable in today's electronic healthcare environment. It also establishes eligibility for the FORE Scholarship and professional credentials. A graduate will not be eligible to sit for the AHIMA credentialing exam unless he/she graduates from a CAHIIM accredited program.
 Search for HIM education programs at the masters, baccalaureate and associate degree levels.
Search for AHIMA Approved Coding Certificate Programs
When you have finished 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. In addition to the RHIA and RHIT credentials, AHIMA offers numerous certifications:
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)
Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)
 Details of these certifications can be found in the Certification section of AHIMA's website.
For more information about Health Information careers and available resources, go to the Health Information Careers section of AHIMA's site at http://himcareers.ahima.org/
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All Web Content © 2010 Ohio Health Information Management Association
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