Salary According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), entry-level salaries average between $40,000 and $75,000. Educational Programs Certificate Florida International University Bachelor's Degree Florida A&M University Florida International University University of Central Florida Professional Associations American Health Information Management Association Florida Health Information Management Association

Health information administrators, sometimes known as health information managers, design and manage dynamic health information systems that meet medical, legal, and ethical standards for facilities that deliver healthcare. Due to heightened regulations governing privacy of health records coupled with the ever-increasing complexity of advanced information technologies used by health-related facilities and institutions, the roles of information security experts and health information managers are increasingly interdependent.

Responsibilities of health information administrators may include: training and supervising the health information management staff; developing systems for the efficient and confidential recording, retention, and retrieval of health data; and compiling statistical reports from patient health records for medical, administrative, legal, and research purposes.

Health information administrators work closely with hospital administrators and other institutional personnel to monitor health facility spending, physician practice patterns, quality assessment, the security and confidentiality of patient information and research. They also work closely with information security personnel on technical security systems and procedures for protecting health information.

Areas of Specialization
In addition to the RHIA, credentials can be obtained as a Certified Coding Specialist, Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based, and certification in Healthcare Privacy.

Work Environment
Areas of employment include hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations, accounting firms, insurance companies, law firms, physicians' offices, nursing homes, consulting firms, and health data organizations.

Job Outlook
Job prospects for registered health information administrators are very good through 2008. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow much faster than other occupations.

Length of Training/Requirements
Completion of a baccalaureate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate from a university is required for the RHIA credential. The curriculum consists of core courses in medical terminology, pathophysiology, health information systems, health information administration, quality management, health law, and health information management systems.

Advancement
With experience, advancement to positions of HIM department manager, HIM systems manager, data quality manager, information security officer, HIM college instructor, and HIM consultant are available.

Licensure/Certification
Certification is voluntary. Graduates of an accredited program are eligible to take the national registration examination, sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), to become a professional Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).