MS in Health Information Management

Graduates with a Master of Science (MS) degree in health information management ensure the accuracy and security of a healthcare facility’s digital medical records and other information systems. Master’s degree holders also qualify for upper-management positions in the field of health informatics, which come attached with better benefits and higher salaries. Master’s degree students will take classes covering data systems, computer science, statistics, epidemiology, ethics, healthcare law, leadership, business administration, and management. After graduate school, students can work as clinical systems directors, clinical data managers, clinical informatics coordinators, clinical information system directors and more.

Requirements for Earning an MS in Health Information Management

Requirements to become a health information manager/administrator can vary by state. Successful students generally complete the following steps:

Earn proper bachelor’s degree (requirements vary by state). A BS in health information management is the minimum education requirement for health information managers.
Earn proper master’s degree (requirements vary by state). Master’s degree graduates can work at the supervisorial/administrative level in health information management.
Obtain appropriate certification. Health information management students can go on to take the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

Average Salary and Career Data

The expected salary, career growth, and work environment for a health information manager/administrator might include:

Health Information Manager/Administrator – Median expected salary: $122,098, according to Salary.com.
Job Prospects – Employment is expected to grow faster than average because managers will continue to be needed to oversee the continued transfer-to-digitization of patient medical records, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Setting – Health information managers find employment in hospitals, private practices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities and outpatient care.

Job Duties and Responsibilities for an Information Manager

A health information administrative professional is typically responsible for the following job responsibilities:

Ensuring the accuracy of patient’s records, including reviewing for completeness and entering data into records, such as demographic information, history and treatment of disease, and diagnostic procedures.
Keeping up with the most current computer and software technology as well as legislative requirements for patient records security.
Creating information policies and procedures to keep health care facilities running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.v
Coordinating the implementation, design and maintenance of clinical information systems.
Working with IT to ensure the effective integration of clinical systems with other institutional applications.