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		Health Information Manager What Is A Health Information Manager And What Do They Do? Health Information Management is the profession that focuses on health care data and the management of health care information resources. Health information managers orchestrate documentation; collect, integrate, and analyze primary and secondary health care data; disseminate information; and manage information resources related to research, planning, provision, and evaluation of health care services. Many of the day-to-day activities of health information managers relate to their administrative and managerial responsibilities. These responsibilities include: Designing, implementing, and maintaining automated and manual health information systems; Determining health information policies; Developing the departmental budget; Hiring, supervising, and evaluating employees; Providing inservice education; Serving on organizational committees; and Assisting with research. Where Do Health Information Managers Work? About 60 percent of these professionals work in hospitals. However, there are opportunities across the entire health care system, such as: Hospitals, managed care organizations, clinics, physician practices, nursing homes, and mental health centers Federal agencies, state health departments, and prison health systems University and college student health centers Law practices, research companies, computer software vendors, and consulting firms. Which Personal Skills Are Needed For A Career in Health Information Management? Health information managers need to be organized, thorough, accurate, and possess good communication and decision-making skills. What Type Of Training Is Required To Enter This Profession? There are two levels of training, an associate degree and a baccalaureate degree. A person with a baccalaureate degree is a health information administrator and is eligible to sit for the registered record administrator examination. For a baccalaureate science degree with a major in health information management, students complete a rigorous educational course of study. During the first two years, students enroll in general education courses and prerequisites. The prerequisites include courses in economics, computer science, statistics, management, and professional communications. During the last two years, the professional phase, students complete a course of study of automated and manual information systems, medical terminology, medical sciences, legal aspects, nomenclatures and classification systems, health statistics, quality management and departmental management and personnel administration. Which Colleges Offer A Degree For This Profession? Community colleges offer the educational programs for health information technology. Senior colleges and universities offer the educational programs for health information administration. There are two baccalaureate programs in health information administration in North Carolina, at: East Carolina University, Greenville and at Western Carolina University What Is The Expected Salary For A Health Information Manager? The America Health Information Management Association provides the following salary ranges: Department Director $30,000--$80,000 Assistant Department Director $25,000--$65,000 Consultant $25,000--$100,000 Clinical Coder $22,000--$55,000 The average salary varies by academic preparation. For a professional with an associate degree and is an accredited record technician, the average salary is $30,500. For a professional with a baccalaureate degree and a registered record administrator, the average salary is $42,000. What can One Do To Prepare Now For This Profession? High school students interested in this profession should visit the web site of the academic program at East Carolina University. They could also visit the web site of the national organization, the American Health Information Management Association. High school students should consider volunteering in a health care organization and specifically in a health information management department. That way they can see the range of opportunities in health care and make sure that this profession is really the one for them. This profession is unique in that it combines both health care and business. High school students should pay attention now to developing their written and oral communication skills. Communication of information is a major part of any health information manager's day. 8. A contact person is Paul Bell, a faculty member. CLINICAL INFORMATION CONSULTATION Faculty members in the health information management department are also available to talk with high school teachers about current affairs in health information management. These topics include: (faculty members w/ corresponding expertise are: Medical Terminology Mr. Paul Bell Mrs. Myra Brown Dr. Elizabeth Layman Health Insurance Dr. Elizabeth Layman Health Care System Mr. Paul Bell Legal Issues In Health Care Mrs. Myra Brown Technology and Patient Records Mr. Paul Bell

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