What is a health information manager?

Chances are if you’ve ever been seen by a doctor, shopped for medicine at a local pharmacy or purchased health care insurance you’ve been influenced by the work of a health information management professional without even knowing it. HIM professionals connect the people, processes, technology, data and information security that makes our health care industry work.

Careers in HIM can be found at the intersection of medicine, science, business and information technology. HIM graduates work with cutting-edge technology; manage people, processes and systems; massage big data to find health care solutions; and serve as educators and advocates throughout the industry. Ultimately, they are gatekeepers who keep our medical information is safe, complete and accurate.

A degree in health information management will prepare you for a variety of jobs within multiple career paths. The American Health Information Management Association lists more than 60 job types for HIM professionals on its website. And because HIM professionals are in high demand throughout the country, graduates can choose from a variety of geographic locations to find employment.

Pluses for HIM graduates

• JOBS: Multiple interesting job options with good pay and advancement opportunities
• CAREERS: HIM provides numerous career paths, so you’re not locked into one job choice
• CHOICE: You’re not locked into one work setting or geographic location
• OPTIONS: You can focus on tech, management, data, information security, or a career that combines these options
• GROWTH: 19 percent industry job growth is forecast  for the next decade
• SUCCESS: 100 percent of KU grads land jobs or are admitted into graduate programs
• HEALTH CARE: A health care career without the blood.
• LEARNING: Your career path can include an advanced degree or on-the-job specialization

Locations: Traditional and non-traditional
Health information managers work in a variety of job settings. While many HIM professionals work in traditional settings such as hospitals and clinics, others work in less-traditional environments such as accounting firms, insurance companies, information systems vendors, government agencies, pharmaceutical research companies and more.

Because HIM professionals are in high demand, graduates are able to find work in every geographic region of the country. Salaries for HIM professionals vary based on the job and the geographic location where it is located. Salary guides are available on the AHIMA and ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals websites.

HIM Degree: Setting your career path
Upon completion of KU’s HIM program, the student graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and is then eligible to sit for the national registry exam. Graduates earning their Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification can apply for jobs in a variety of practice settings and geographic locations.