MS in Health Systems Management

Graduates of a Master of Science (MS) degree in health systems management are prepped for a supervisory position managing a health facility’s information systems. Students in the master’s degree in health systems management program will cover subjects such as advanced medical billing and coding, data systems, administration, epidemiology, computer sciences, research processes, ethics, and law. Health systems management professionals create and maintain electronic patient records and ensure patient information is accurate as well as secure. Once a master’s degree in health systems management is complete, graduates have the choice of entering the workforce or going on to pursue a doctorate in the field.

Requirements for Earning an MS in Health Systems Management

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

Earn proper bachelor’s degree (requirements vary by state). Students with a bachelor’s degree in health informatics have an ideal background for pursuing health systems management in graduate school.
Earn proper master’s degree (requirements vary by state). Students with a master’s degree in health systems management can qualify for an upper-level administrative role in the health informatics field.
Pursue continued education. Staying updated on the newest trends in technology is essential to being competitive in the health informatics field. Graduates can continue their education at local colleges and universities, private training institutions, and hardware and software vendors.
Earn proper certification. Health systems management degree holders can pass an exam to earn certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RIHA) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Average Salary and Career Data

The expected salary, career growth, and work environment for a health information/systems manager is as follows:

Health Information/Systems Manager – Median expected salary: $122,098, according to Salary.com.
Job Prospects – Employment is expected to grow faster than average because of the continued computerization of medical records, which also have to be secured properly as required by law, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Setting – Health information/systems managers find employment in hospitals, private practices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities and outpatient care.

Job Duties and Responsibilities for a Health Systems/Information Manager

A health systems/information manager is typically responsible for the following job responsibilities:

Ensuring the appropriate maintenance and integrity of electronic medical records.
Staying abreast of the most current computer and software technology as well as legislative requirements for patient records security.
Ensuring databases are complete, accurate and available only to authorized personnel.
Creating information policies and procedures to keep health care facilities running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Implementing policies and procedures that add to the efficiency of information networks in a healthcare facility.