Career Opportunities in Health Services Management
The number of jobs in the field of medical and health services management is expected to grow because the increase in our aging population means an increased number of people in need of care. In addition, the complexity of the healthcare industry continues to increase as more facilities and a greater variety of facilities open.
Additional health information managers are necessary for capturing, collating and reporting patient data in a usable format. The amount of data and depth of data we will be able to collect as technology improves will only continue to expand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics mentions that there will especially be demand for managers at nursing care facilities, health practitioners’ offices and medical group practices.1
The Health Information Manager plays a key role in the healthcare world and is responsible for planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating and following up on all activities in the Health Information Management Department.
Responsible for supervising and maintaining the Medical Records department including goal setting, planning, policy and procedure development, quality assurance and improvement and supervision and competency of staff.
• Coordinate, direct and evaluate daily activities of all file room operations
• Evaluate functions and procedures of medical records at outlying Primary Care Service sites
• Perform service area and departmental quality assurance functions required for compliance, accrediting agencies and regulatory issues
• Provide on-going training to professional, clinical and clerical staff regarding the medical record contents, coding, confidentiality, and security
• Direct the review of medical records for timely completion and documentation
• Coordinate procedures for release of medical information and correspondence requests according to local policies, state and federal statutes and laws
• Create new policy and update existing policy in relation to content and context of the medical record
• Develops and monitor departmental budget2
These tasks may vary depending on the company or type of facility that you work for:
UnitedHealth Group: You would manage staff at three locations, managing all health information/medical record functions for acute care and the emergency department3
Dignity Health: You would collaborate and communicate between clinical experts, end-users including staff and physicians, and subject matter experts on regulatory standards and desired outcomes4
Orthopedic Institute: You would collect and analyze statistical data related to departmental productivity5
Becoming a Health Information Manager
To begin a career as a health information manager, experience is essential. Those professionals seeking a management title will typically require three to five years of related experience in health information, coding, risk management or data quality. Employers look for computer proficiency to include word processing, databases, spreadsheets and SMS and demonstrated knowledge of health information manager procedures. A bachelor’s degree in a healthcare administration related field is often required, with a master’s degree preferred.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information management as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life, the healthcare industry as a whole will see an increase in the demand for medical services.6
The American Health Information Management Association lists the average salary for a health information manager as $63,613. According to PayScale.com, health information management directors earned between $43,616 and $109,138 and had a median income of $71,840.7
If you are interested in a career as a health information manager, learn more about degrees in the healthcare administration field.
1. “What Is the Outlook for Careers in Health Information Management?” What Is the Outlook for Careers in Health Information Management? Accessed June 27, 2016. http://learn.org/articles/What_is_the_Employment_Outlook_for_Careers_in_Health_Information_Management.html.
2. “11-9111.00 – Medical and Health Services Managers.” 11-9111.00 – Medical and Health Services Managers. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9111.00.
3. “Health Information Manager – Gilbert, AZ.” – CareerBuilder. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3K6KV72FB2JSQK2FYK?ipath=JRG3.
4. “Manager, Health Information.” – CareerBuilder. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3J6TR5X2V42Q1Q3C4W?ipath=JRG5.
5. “Orthopedic Institute.” – CareerBuilder. Accessed June 27, 2016. (3). Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/JHL0YK63LHVM0WPJ84N?ipath=JRG6&searchid=519a8f35-b97b-4dcd-afe6-fb35b58bb8ad&siteid=cbnsv
6. “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
7. “HIM Manager.” Health Information Careers. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://hicareers.com/CareerMap/FullDescription.aspx?ID=35.