Master's Degrees in Health Information Systems

Why would I want a degree in health information systems?

There are many benefits to getting a degree in health information systems. Some of them include regular working hours, good job outlook, quickness and ease in obtaining a degree, and a comfortable work environment. If you enjoy working in an office environment and like doing clerical work, then health information systems would be a good fit for you.

What does someone with a health information systems degree do?

Usually people with health information degrees become health information technicians and medical record technicians. They are in charge of assembling patients’ health information, which includes their medical histories, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, etc. Technicians are trained to organize and manage this information in ways that insure accuracy, accessibility, and security. In this day and age when identity theft and medical malpractice is on the rise, their jobs have become more important than ever.

Technicians may also specialize in certain areas of medical records. For example, coding specialists are in charge of keeping track of medical reimbursements covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance programs. They do this by assigning a code to each diagnosis and medical procedure and recording them using special software. The classification system in the software determines the amount that is to be reimbursed by the insurance provider.

How much do health information system professionals make?

The annual median salary for health information system professionals is $42,630 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50% earned between $33,760 and $56,000. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $27,820, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $71,150. The median salaries for the places employing the largest amount of technicians are listed below starting from the places that employ the highest amounts of technicians.

• Outpatient Care Centers: $43,570
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $49,370
• Offices of Physicians: $41,500
• Office Administrative Services: $47,700
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals: $48,740

How popular are health information systems jobs?

They are popular, and they are becoming more and more popular. The job outlook for this field is very good. Through the year 2028, jobs are expected to grow by 11%, which is much faster than the average job growth among all jobs.

The growth in this field is being spurred by the increased amount of procedures, medical tests, and treatments that are being done. With an aging population, this trend should continue over the next decade and possibly beyond.

How can I become a health information systems professional?

Due to the specific nature of the industry, most health information system professionals obtain at least an associate’s degree in health information systems. Aside from classroom training, health information systems programs offer hands on training. Technology in the health field is changing so fast that the hands on training is key to making sure that graduates are up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. The most common courses in health information systems programs include:

• Health Information Systems
• Advanced Databases
• Organizational Process Analysis
• Data Privacy and Security

Many employers like to hire people who have credentials in medical records and health information systems. There are a few different certificates that are common in the industry that you can get by passing their exams. In order to stay certified, recertification and continuing education are required. The most common certifications are from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC), and the Professional Association of Health care Coding Specialists (PAHCS).