What are the Responsibilities of a Health Information Manager during a Typical Day?

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, but are not interested in becoming a nurse or a doctor? Maybe you have a strong math background and enjoy taking an administrative role? If these qualities sound like you, then one career pathway to consider is that of health information manager.

A degree in health information management is one that is multi-faceted and assists students to become well versed in healthcare data and personnel management. It is an excellent field for those who want to help people and want the benefits of working within the healthcare industry but would rather take on a background role.

Sound tempting? Look at the following key aspects of this field. This includes the daily responsibilities of a health information manager. Also, what type of skills can help propel them to success in the industry:

Typical Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Health Information Manager

• Information systems design and management. Every day, every hour, medical professionals need to access accurate and up-to-date patient files in order to give those patients the best medical care and treatment. Part of a health information manager's daily responsibilities is to ensure that information flows smoothly throughout their given organization. This means the health information manager is typically tasked with setting up as well as maintaining the electronic (and in some cases paper) database that stores an organization's patient files. They are tasked with regularly checking that system for efficiency and ensuring it is properly protected from cyber threats.
• Medical coding. Health information management is heavily administrative-based and as such part of the duties of a health information manager is to assist with the medical coding, billing, and administrative processes between a healthcare organization and insurer. The assignment of the correct medical codes ensures correct reimbursement by insurers and other papers as well as ensuring health records include the correct diagnoses and listed procedures.
• Maintaining patient confidentiality. Note that protecting patient information and ensuring all staff members are properly trained in matters regarding patient confidentiality. This includes proper access, storage, disclosure, and, ultimately, disposal. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates how protected health information can be created, viewed, used, and transmitted and part of every health information manager's training is becoming well versed in such regulations. As part of their daily responsibilities, they enforce the related security policies at their organizations to ensure their organization is following HIPAA guidelines both for the protection of their patients and to prevent fines and other legal repercussions associated with not following guidelines.
• Heading up other administrative tasks. In addition to these tasks related directly to patient files and security, a health information manager might take on several other key administrative roles and responsibilities during their day-to-day activities. For example, they may help prepare and outline department budgets and oversee the procurement of new medical equipment and office devices. Or they may take on a more planning-oriented role and analyze clinical, financial, and general healthcare data to look for trends and opportunities that would help their organization improve processes and procedures.

Key Skills of a Health Information Manager

• Talent for problem solving. Health information managers are major problem solvers. As managers, they will consistently be the person others in an organization go to when help or guidance is needed regarding healthcare regulations, laws, hospital policies, and healthcare-related technologies. A well-versed formal education will inform graduates of such information but it is the manager themselves who need to learn how to be quick with that information and problem solve where needed.
• Strong communication and managerial skills. While the primary responsibilities of a health information manager deal more with record keeping and technological needs, it's still vital for those in this role to have strong communication and interpersonal skills. This includes both written and verbal communication skills and health information managers will often head organization committees and provides advice to their colleagues on changing health information recommendations and policies. They also are tasked with communication with both vendors and insurers and thus need to properly convey their organizations needs with such groups.

Learn More and Start Your Career as a Health Information Manager Today at ECPI University

Are you interested in learning more about this exciting and rewarding career? Are you ready to combine your tech and people skills and join the healthcare industry? If so, don't delay any longer, connect with a friendly ECPI University admissions counselor so you can find out more about earning an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science Degree with a Focus in Health Information Management.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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