Health Management Informatics

As a career, health management informatics offers people interested in both technology and health care the opportunity to hone their skills in a unique and dynamic field. Typical jobs available in this cutting-edge arena include the following:

• Health Information Technicians – design and manage health management information systems, analyze and organize patient medical records and databases, and ensure completeness and confidentiality for all recorded patient information. These technicians usually hold an associate's degree from a career or community college and have earned certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
   
• Health Information Managers – design and develop health information systems, organize and analyze data, and prepare reports for health care administrators and physicians. In addition, health information managers often supervise other health information technicians and oversee the delivery of health informatics systems. Generally, health information managers hold a bachelor's or master's degree in health information management. They must also earn their Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification through AHIMA.

Choosing a degree and a school are among the first steps toward building your career in health management information technology. In making that decision, consider taking some time to decide where you want to work after you graduate.

Health information technicians and managers work in a variety of health care settings:

Knowing the direction you want to take your health management informatics career can help you make the most of your education as well as any internship or other work opportunities you pursue as a student.
_{Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services}