Health care is not immune to the significant increase of data in this age. The rapid growth of available health information includes medical history, results, analytics, clinical information and notes. Health information management professionals analyze this data on a macro level to understand how medical intervention can alter outcomes and how business can be adjusted to improve outcomes even further.
Health information management (HIM) requires versatile professionals who can skillfully blend clinical, operational and administrative roles with more detailed, data-driven initiatives like ensuring information is analyzed with integrity, confidentiality is protected and data is secured. Aspiring HIM professionals can learn about these complex processes in the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management program from Florida Institute of Technology.
Careers in Health Information Management
Health information management roles will grow alongside technological innovation. Health information managers will need to continuously develop new approaches to capture the data, ensure data storage remains secure and establish user-friendly methods for authorized information access. Health information will only grow as people continue to move through the health care system.
Within the health information field, professionals can specialize as a medical coder who reviews data and coding accuracy, either for conditions or for population health and billing. A cancer registrar focuses specifically on cancer patients, verifying records, assigning classifications and tracking patients over time to understand treatment, survival and recovery. They may also maintain databases of cancer patients. Other titles include director, supervisor, manager, privacy officer, HIM systems analyst, records analyst, scanner and HIM technician.
Daily activities for health information managers may include:
- Organizing data for clinical databases and registries
- Tracking patient outcomes to understand quality
- Examining patient records to ensure data is complete and accurate
- Upholding patient confidentiality
- Supervising HIM teams
Health Information Management Salary Potential
Health information managers can work in a variety of settings, including legal offices, managed-care facilities, hospitals, doctor’s offices and hospice facilities. Health information professionals could be classified under several occupational areas depending on specific roles, responsibilities and titles, as categorized by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS reports the following 2024 median annual salaries for occupations that could include HIM professionals:
- Medical records specialists: $50,250 per year
- Health information technologists and medical registrars: $67,310 per year
- Medical and health services managers: $117,960 per year
- Computer and information systems managers: $171,200 per year
In general, HIM professionals in management roles will receive salaries toward the upper end of this wage range, with lower salaries reflecting those in entry- to mid-level positions. Additional factors that influence earning potential in the field include experience, educational attainment and regional market conditions.
Required Skills and Education in the Health Care Information Management Field
Overall, health information is moving toward becoming a more technical career, and therefore increasingly requires more advanced education. A program of study that combines health care management and information management with core business-oriented leadership studies may be most appropriate for professionals in managerial roles.
As such, a specialized MBA in health care management program can provide the appropriate basis for pursuing this career path. Knowledge and skills required for a career in health information management include:
- Compliance/risk management
- Communication
- Data analysis
- IT/infrastructure
- Coding
- Public health understanding
- Leadership
- Computer skills
- Detail-oriented focus
- Managerial skills
The Future of Health Information Management Careers
With the constant influx of data and dynamic regulation and technology, demand for health information managers is skyrocketing. As an example, BLS projects that employment of health information technologists will increase 16% between 2023 and 2033 — faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. In more managerial roles, BLS estimates that employment of medical and health services managers will increase 29% during the same period, placing this professional role among the top 6 fastest growing occupations in the US.
As the population ages, more people will enter the health care system for services, and insurance claims will increase accordingly. Continued adoption of electronic health records will also expand datasets. More health information managers will be needed to manage this wealth of critical information.
Strong job prospects aside, a career in health information management also offers the opportunity to work in the health care field — but without any patient contact. Professionals will still need to understand medical terminology and how the human body works in order to manage health information accurately — and their work can still improve treatment for patients, as insights from data analytics can help to improve processes.
Current Trends in Information Management in Health Care
Political and social forces keep the health care industry dynamic, and health information managers are a valuable player in navigating changes. Right now, several key trends are changing the industry:
- Data and classification systems are transforming, but understanding how information is gathered, analyzed and reported to ensure accuracy remains critical.
- A growing emphasis on secondary uses for health data is changing the landscape. However, quality and patient safety are key data points.
- Efforts to cut costs are spurring new approaches to treatment, including new care models, patient-centered care and an increased emphasis on partnership between clinicians.
- Demand for health care privacy and security credentials is increasing exponentially. The rise in cyber crime in the health care industry drives demand for information security expertise.
Is an HIM Career the Right Choice?
Change is certain in the field of health information management. High demand and the opportunity for continued professional development in the face of change mean the dynamic field is likely to be well worth the challenge.
Aspiring HIM professionals can gain the expertise they need through advanced coursework in a health care management program. As such, earning an MBA in Healthcare Management from Florida Tech can provide the perfect foundation for a rewarding and lucrative career in health information management.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online MBA in Healthcare Management program.
