Are you interested in starting a career where you work with health information data? If so, you may want to learn how to become a health information specialist. Health information specialists are also sometimes referred to as medical records specialists. Health information specialists or technicians are responsible for health records. This includes organizing, managing and coding data in health records. They must then ensure that the data is accurate, accessible and secure. There are a lot of laws about patient privacy and the storage of medical records. Because of this, it is essential to get the proper training before entering the field. This training will teach you how to work with various patient information systems. Here are the steps that you must take to land a position at a reputable hospital or practice.
Earn Your High School Diploma
You must have at least a high school diploma before pursuing this field. Some of the smaller practices and hospitals will be willing to hire candidates fresh out of high school. However, it is typical to require a postsecondary certificate in order to land a job as a health information specialist. So yes, you do not necessarily need to pursue advanced studies outside of high school. Yet it is very likely a good idea to plan on attending a technical school or a community college. This will be sure to help you to expand your knowledge in the field. Before you can enter a technical training program, you must have a high school diploma or a GED.
See If Certification Is Required in Your State
In many states, health information technicians must get certified to be employed. This is required before they can work closely with private patient data. You should check with your state to see if certification is a requirement. If it is, you need to meet the requirements to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential through the American Health Information Management Association. Other health information specialist related certifications that may be worth looking into include:
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
- Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
- Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)
- Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP)
These health information specialist certifications will set a candidate apart when applying for a job in the field. Before pursuing a certification, it is helpful to know exactly what is required for a particular job in the field.
Enter Into an Associate’s Degree Program or a Certificate Program
If you need certification to practice as a health information technician in your state, you will need to complete an associate’s degree program. It is important to make sure that your two-year degree is accepted. To be accepted, you need to complete a Health Information Management program through a school that is accredited. It needs to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM currently accredits over 350 programs in Health Informatics and Health Information Management. These accredited programs vary in length. They include two year programs, four year programs, as well as post-graduate programs. If you are enrolled as a full time student, you can complete your associate’s degree program in two years. It also may be worth it to consider the option of pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. These degrees will make a candidate eligible for a higher level or a management position.
In the case that you do not need to get certified, you may consider completing a certificate program. This can be instead of going to a community college. When you are enrolled in a post-secondary health information technology certificate program, you have some unique options. You can complete courses in related areas of study without having to complete general education prerequisite requirements, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The following is a list of some of the courses that you will take:
- Healthcare statistics
- Computer systems
- Health data requirements
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Healthcare reimbursement methods
- Coding systems
Plan for Advancement in the Field
Health information specialists are entry-level professionals in health IT. Some may be content staying in that kind of position, but it may be appealing to consider steps to take to improve your chances of upward mobility. If you would like to climb your way up the ladder, you can pursue a position as a medical coding specialist or a health services manager. It is worth considering whether you would like to advance your career over time. If so, you always have the option to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program majoring in Health Information Technology. You must be certified to work in these fields.
Related Resource: Health Information Specialist
Since the aging population demands more medical attention, the need for health information specialists to organize IT data is expected to grow. In fact, the need for entry-level specialists is projected to grow by as much as 15% between 2014 and 2024. Start to search for open positions in your area and see what the common qualifications are. If you need to be certified to become a Health Information Specialist in your state, enroll in an associate’s degree program and work towards a better professional future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Health Information Specialists
What should I expect a work day to be like as a health information specialist?
It is typical for health information specialists to spend all day at a computer. The job revolves around data entry and data management, all of which is done electronically. Health information specialists will use different classification systems to categorize medical records. The following are examples of more specific job titles that a health information specialist might hold.
- Cancer Registrar
- Health Information Technician
- Medical Coder
- Release of Information Specialist
These specialty jobs are often in higher demand when working for bigger healthcare facilities, such as a hospital.
What is the typical schedule of a health information specialist like?
Most health information specialists should expect to work full time. In this field, it is possible to work unusual hours, particularly for those employed by a hospital or similar facility that is open around the clock. Working for a facility such as this may require you to work evenings, weekends, or sometimes even overnight shifts.
Where might I be employed as a health information specialist?
The majority of health information specialists are hired to work in a hospital. However, there are many other options for settings and facilities for a health information specialist. These may include clinics, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, or government facilities. Other possible jobs could be found at insurance companies or billing departments. Any organization that needs to maintain health records and bills will need to hire a health information specialist.
What skills do I need to succeed as a health information specialist?
Working as a health information specialist is one of the few jobs within the medical field that does not involve hands-on patient care. That being said, communication skills are always helpful for a job such as this. It will be necessary to speak with other healthcare specialists, as well as with healthcare workers, such as registered nurses. Those looking to enter the field should be diligent workers with an attention to detail. This attention to detail is especially important because of the nature of the job. The job of a medical information specialist includes a lot of reviewing medical coding, bills, and documents in order to detect errors. Proficiency in typing is a must. It is also important to hold to a high level of personal integrity. You will be working constantly with many forms of patient data, all of which are highly confidential.
What other jobs are similar to health information specialists’ jobs?
Healthcare is a booming industry, so there are countless jobs within the field. Although a health information specialist is responsible for a unique part of the healthcare system, there are some other jobs that are similar in nature. These jobs include information clerks, medical and health service managers, and medical transcriptionists. Other related jobs include medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. Each of these jobs play a very important role in ensuring that healthcare facilities run smoothly and efficiently.
It is clear that the aging population demands more medical attention. Because of this, the need for health information specialists to organize IT data is expected to grow. The fact that this particular field combines healthcare and technology ensures that it will continue to be a position in demand. In fact, the need for entry-level specialists is projected to grow by as much as 11% over the next 10 years. This growth rate is higher than the national average growth rate for jobs. Start to search for open positions in your area and see what the common qualifications are. If you need to be certified to become a Health Information Specialist in your state, enroll in an associate’s degree program. From there you can begin to work towards a better professional future.
MPH Staff
Updated July 2022