Career Specializations

• Medical Records & Health Information Technicians: These specialists are the ones who update medical records on a daily basis. They ensure that all parts of a patient's records are kept together and that they are maintained securely and accurately.
• Medical Billing & Coding Specialists: These healthcare technicians ensure that hospitals, physician offices, and other healthcare centers are correctly reimbursed for their services by private and public insurance providers. They translate the doctor's diagnosis into a numerical code, which is used to charge the insurance provider.
• Cancer Registrars: These healthcare professionals maintain databases of information on cancer treatment, relapse rates, and survival rates. They may work on national databases or in facility-specific databases.  
• Health Information Managers: These healthcare managers are the professionals who administrate the information systems used in healthcare facilities. They choose which information systems to use, direct health information technicians, and ensure that electronic record systems are up-to-date and secure.

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Degree Levels

• Certificate: 1 year to complete
• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2 years to complete

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Education & Certification Requirements

There are a variety of degree levels available in healthcare information systems, and the type of degree you'll need to earn will depend on the job you'd like to perform. An associate degree in healthcare information systems can be good preparation for a career as a health information technician, medical billing and coding specialist, or cancer registrar. These career-oriented programs focus on the medical science and practical skills that students need to work in a healthcare environment. Classes in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology prepare technicians to recognize and transcribe medical diagnoses and other medical information. Other courses discuss the technical and practical sides of the job; classes in software for health IT professionals and medical coding practices discuss hands-on IT skills.

A bachelor's or master's degree is necessary for most managerial positions in healthcare information systems. Bachelor's degrees in health services administration, business administration, information technology, or a related field can be useful for seeking out assistant manager positions. These programs discuss the information technology, medical science, ethics, and business skills that all health managers need. Master's programs in healthcare information systems or healthcare informatics will give career-seekers better job prospects and will also provide more opportunities for career advancement. These degrees usually include lengthy practicum assignments, where students work in the field with an experienced healthcare information manager. Those considering a bachelor's or master's program should look for accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. 

Professional credentials are also important in this field. While not required, health information technicians can greatly improve their resume by earning certifications like the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential; coders can earn certifications offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Health information managers can earn the Registered Health Information Administrator title offered by the American Health Information Management Association. (BLS; BLS)

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Salary Information

New medical records and health information technicians with an associate degree can expect initial offers of around $24,000 a year. Those who have some professional experience can earn $30,000-39,000. (BLS)

Health information managers with a new bachelor's or master's degree earn average salaries of $62,000 a year. Those with professional experience and demonstrated abilities earn $80,000-104,000. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health records technicians, billing and coding specialists, and cancer registrars should have excellent job opportunities in the coming years. Jobs in this field will be created at a much faster than average rate, as the healthcare sector expands to meet the needs of the aging baby boom population. Technicians with a working knowledge of electronic records systems and IT will have the most job opportunities. (BLS)

The expanding healthcare industry will also mean good job prospects for healthcare information managers. As health organizations expand, they will need trained managers to keep their records accurate and secure as their practice grows. Job prospects will be especially good in health practitioner offices, although many jobs will also be created in hospitals due to the sheer size of the hospital industry. (BLS)

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Related Careers

Medical billing and coding is one specialization within the healthcare information systems career area. These technicians play an important role in the administrative side of the healthcare system, ensuring that hospitals, physician offices, and other healthcare practitioners are reimbursed for their services. Using their knowledge of healthcare coding systems, they transcribe a doctor's diagnosis into a code that is billed to private and public insurers.

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