Jobs in health information management have
become increasingly crucial to the health care industry, due to complex
standards and regulations for the storage and retrieval of health
records. Health information managers seek to understand, develop and
implement systems that help health care institutions comply with a
variety of records-keeping standards. Many online degree programs are
available at the bachelor's and master's levels.
Accreditation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic states that all
health information managers must be graduates of an accredited program (
www.bls.gov).
Health information management programs are accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management
Education (CAHIIME). When choosing a school, students should be aware
that programs not accredited by CAHIIME may be less favorable to
prospective employers.
Certification Opportunities
In addition to a degree, many information management workers in the
health care field seek the Registered Health Information Administrator
(RHIA) certification offered by the American Health Information
Management Association (AHIMA). Some online programs offer a progressive
learning option that prepares students for passage of the RHIA exam.
Full or Partially Online Programs
Some schools only offer the core health information management
curriculum online, without making required general education courses or
electives available by distance learning. In these instances, students
may be expected to complete as many as two year's worth of credits in an
on-campus environment, enrolling in the online school only to complete
the program's core courses. Some programs may require that applicants
already hold an associate's degree with transferable general-education
courses to fulfill the non-health information-specific component of
their studies. When choosing a curriculum, students seeking a
fully-online program should ensure that all credits are available online
and that the program suits their prior education level.
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry into the
field of health information management. Health information-specific
lessons are supplemented by a general science curriculum covering
biology, human anatomy, and other medical science courses. Most online
programs deliver their coursework and exams on the same schedule as
on-campus programs, in order to foster cohesive online communication
with other students and professors. Delivery typically occurs through a
combination of e-mail, online forums and regular online chat sessions.
Master's degree programs in health information management typically
cater to working health professionals who wish to change careers or
enter management. A master's degree may also be the minimum credential
necessary for employment at large or highly competitive institutions.
Online programs are commonly delivered as a general business or
technology degree, with an option to specialize in health information
management.
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