About the HIM Profession

What is Health Information Management?

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 professional work in a multitude of setting throughout the healthcare industry including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies and home care providers.

How to Get Started on Your HIM Career

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.

Learn more by visiting ahima.org.

General Information

A Career in Health Information Management

Do you see yourself…

….working in the healthcare field but not necessarily providing direct patient care?

….working in a career that provides a variety of opportunities?

….as having good science, computers, and managing skills?

….working with doctors, nurses, lawyers, administrators or executives?

….working on your own making your own hours, decisions, and opportunities?

Then a career in HIM is right for you!

Opportunities for Health Information Management (HIM) professionals exist in a variety of work settings. Traditionally, HIM Specialists are employed in hospitals or clinics, but an increasing number of jobs exist in settings such as health maintenance organizations, physician offices, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance and pharmaceutical companies as well as with information system vendors.

The outlook for jobs in HIM is very good. View the AHIMA Salary Survey located on the AHIMA website.

Based on your skills, education, and interests, here are just some of the positions available to you.