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The first step in your career planning process is to discover your interests and then match them to careers. If you have an interest in healthcare and information technology, health information management (HIM) may be the right career choice for you. As one of the fastest growing occupations in one of the fastest growing industries, a HIM career places you right where the expanding arena of healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology.
HIM professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality healthcare. They are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems and coding the diagnosis and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients. HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies and home care providers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of HIM professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await HIM graduates. More than half of new HIM graduates with a bachelor's degree start with salaries in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Five years out, many are earning $50,000 to $75,000. New HIM graduates with an associate's degree can earn $20,000 to $30,000 annually.
Coppin State University offers a Bachelor's of Science in Allied Health with a focus on Health Information Management. This program prepares you for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and an exciting career in Health Information Management. If you've already earned an associate's degree in HIM and are a certified Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and are interested in completing the requirements for the bachelor's degree, Coppin is the place for you as well.
High school students considering a HIM career can begin a foundation with the following courses: business, computer science, English, math, biology and chemistry.
Financial aid is available to qualified students through the AHIMA Foundation of Research and Education, which offers both loans and scholarships. For more information, call the AHIMA scholarship hotline at 312-233-1128 or contact www.ahima.org/careers/scholarships.html. For information on federally sponsored programs call Federal Student Financial Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.
HIM professionals enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth. Based on skills, education and interests, some of the positions available to a person with a bachelor's degree are: HIM Department Director, HIM System Manager, Data Quality Manager, Information Security Officer, HIM College Instructor, Consultant and others.
For more information contact:
Mona Calhoun, MS, RHIA, Chairperson HIM Program
2500 West North Ave.
Baltimore MD 21216-3698
Ph: (410) 951-2622
Em:mcalhoun@coppin.edu
