5 of the Top Jobs in Health Information Management (HIM)
Healthcare has been one of the leading sectors to embrace the explosion of information technology, using cutting-edge advancements to take patient records and other medical information from hard-copy to digital. Electronic health records (EHR) enhance the patient experience by allowing for seamless transmission of data throughout all stages of healthcare. Patients can also proactively participate in their care by accessing their records through a secure portal.
Are you looking for a job that combines the dynamic field of technology with the satisfaction of helping others? Health Information Management (HIM) may be the niche for you. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that healthcare providers implement EHR as of 2015, which is great for HIM professionals in vitally important jobs such as these.
Privacy Officer
Now that confidential patient information is stored and transmitted electronically, data security has become more important than ever. Medical facilities are required to adhere to strict government guidelines, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that outlines the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PIH). These regulations can take on the appearance of a moving target as they are amended and revised to keep up with the fast pace of high-tech developments.
Even unintentional violations of HIPAA can result in serious penalties for a medical practice. As a privacy officer, you are responsible for ensuring that workplace processes adhere to HIPAA standards. Ongoing duties include internal reviews and audits along with staff training.
Meaningful Use Specialist
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act provides incentives encouraging healthcare practices to go beyond the simple adoption of EHR. They are meant to be tools put to "meaningful use" in helping to improve healthcare quality and encouraging patients and their families to become active participants in their care.
This led to the recently created position of meaningful use specialist. In this role, you access the most up-to-date technology to develop reports that record the necessary data and workflows designed to efficiently capture the corresponding metrics. In addition, you stay current with any regulatory changes and plan future implementation of programs to fulfill all five stages of meaningful use.
Health Information Technician
Do you have an eye for detail? Just one mistake in a patient's EHR can have an impact on care or lead to protracted difficulties with the insurance company. Health information technicians oversee the organization and maintenance of EHR to ensure quality, accuracy and proper accessibility. They are also skilled in the use of the medical coding system, making sure that all supplies and services are billed correctly for appropriate reimbursement.
EHR Implementation Specialist
The adoption of EHR involves a learning curve for healthcare providers and staff members. As an implementation specialist, you provide technical support before and during an EHR transition to make sure that the system is fully meeting the needs of the practice. Responsibilities of executing the implementation plan include configuring software, acting as a liaison with vendors, testing and troubleshooting, and training necessary personnel.
HIM Revenue Cycle Auditor
Navigating the complexities of medical billing can be a challenge. In your role as a revenue cycle auditor, you streamline this function for a practice by reviewing and recommending compliant coding, data collection and documentation behaviors for accurate and efficient billing.
A Degree in Health Information Management Could Be 1.5 Years Away!
Are you ready to join this fast-paced and rewarding field? Contact ECPI University to learn how you can be on your way to earning an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science with a concentration in Health Information Management. Take the first step today—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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