Managing Medical Records At Heart Of Health Information Management

A patient’s medical record involves systematic documentation of care and treatment including examinations, tests, medications, therapies and more.

A complete and accurate record of this sensitive information must be maintained for appropriate medical treatment, privacy and legal protection, billing and reimbursement. Because of the complex nature and medical terminology, trained specialists in health information management are needed by a wide variety of employers.

“If you want to go into health care, but you don’t want ‘blood and guts,’ this could be the career for you,” said Della Moon, program director of health information management program at San Jacinto College.

With the shift to electronic medical records, those working in health information generally work in offices with computers and keyboards as tools. Offices may be in hospitals, but also could be in private physicians’ offices, law offices, industrial or corporate entities, insurance companies, regulatory agencies, residential care facilities or even from your own home office.

“Health care is one of the fastest-growing industries and it’s always going to be around,” Moon said. “In my opinion, health information management has practically guaranteed job security and the skills are transferable to any location around the country.”

San Jacinto College offers two associate degrees and three technical certificates related to health information management. All programs have open enrollment with no prerequisite other than a high school diploma or equivalent. All programs are offered at the North Campus every semester, but one unusual option is that the courses can also be completed 100 percent online through distance learning. All the programs require clinical rotations, therefore each applicant must clear a criminal background check and a drug screening, as well as provide proof of immunizations.

The two-year associate degrees, which require five semesters to complete, prepare students to sit for national exams through accrediting agencies to become either a RHIT (registered health information technician) or a CTR (certified tumor registrar). CTRs work in cancer data management, a growing specialization within health information management.

“Cancer data management is our most up-and-coming field,” Moon said. “That is where we have personnel shortages.”

San Jacinto College also offers three certificates of technology: health information, medical billing and coding, and an advanced certificate in cancer data management. Each program requires three semesters to complete. Students who complete the health information certificate can take the American Health Information Management Association test to become a CCA (certified coding associate). CCAs usually work in a hospital setting. Students who pursue medical billing and coding are prepared to work in a physician’s office. An associate degree (in any field) is required to take the advanced certificate in cancer data management. After earning the certificate, students can sit the exam to become a CTR.

Moon said the health information management field is projected to grow by 25 percent over the next five years. Though rates vary by employers, Moon said CCAs earn about $45,000 annually.

Pursuing additional credentials or moving into supervisory roles, salaries can increase to more than $65,000. Some of her students also complete more than one degree or certificate within the program to strengthen their credentials.

In a recent survey, Moon said that San Jacinto College health information management graduates received a 100 percent satisfaction rating from their employers.

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Originally published on: Chron

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