Health Information Administrator Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

When you go to seek treatment at a large medical facility or hospital, you might feel confident because you know that you will have access to a community of the best medical professionals and equipment all in one place. Have you ever stopped to wonder, however, who is responsible for keeping all the medical records, treatment histories, patient information and billing records straight in a large operation such as that? The answer would be the health information administrator, and if you like to organize paperwork and digital records, manage a team of technicians, and interpret medical information so that billing and treatment can occur more swiftly and efficiently, this might be a career choice that you would enjoy.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$69,800
Salary Range
$52,800 - $84,600

Work Environment

Due to the fact that they are responsible for managing patient care and billing records, as well as the technicians that organize and code them, the health information administrator is usually found working in the administrative branch of hospitals, large medical centers, rehabilitation facilities and large private practices. This is most often an office like environment where the administrator is responsible for management of a team of less experienced technicians.

High School Preparation

If a high school student is interested in getting ready for a career as a health information administrator, it is important that they become familiar with office management methods as well as a working knowledge of health treatments and medical professional terminology. Subjects that would be helpful to master in school would include algebra, biology, chemistry, psychology, foreign language, anatomy, and sociology. Other skills to have would include data processing, typing, and computer skills.  

Requirements

Unlike the technician position, a health information administrator is required to possess a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is fully accredited. Although a certain major is not required, it is helpful if the student pursues a degree in business management, health administration, office administration, or education. Following graduation, it is required that all aspiring administrators take and pass the national exam that is offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Career Outlook

As more and more people gain access to adequate health insurance and the elderly population continues to expand, it will be increasingly important for hospitals and large medical centers to employ an increased amount of health information administrators. Although many medical records are still kept on paper, there will soon be a shift to convert these records to digital forms and storage types. This will require strong administrative leaders who will be able to oversee the process with utmost attention to detail and efficiency.

Professional Organizations

American Health Information
Management Association
919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611-1683
Phone: (312) 787-2672
www.ahima.org