Health Information Specialist Career Plan
Become a Health Information Specialist
- Career Plan: How to Become a Health Information Specialist
- Explore: Health Informatics Programs
- Explore: CAHIIM Accredited Online Programs
Health Information Specialist Resources…
- Health Information Specialist Certification
- Duties and Statistics: Health Information Specialist
- Career Ladder: Health Information Career Advancement
- Related Careers
There are health information careers available for people with degrees at all levels. If you want a specialized position, and you’re just starting out, you’ll want to take your education to the bachelor’s or master’s level.
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Get a good overall foundation in high school. Take rigorous college prep classes in both English and math. Also consider computer applications, economics, and vocational office management classes.
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Do some health career exploration. Attend career fairs and shadow a professional.
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Research educational programs and certifications. Your school’s accreditation is very important as it determines what certifying exams you will be able to sit for. Accreditation by
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CAHIIM is an indicator of program quality in both health information management and health informatics.
You will have a choice of levels. Health information management courses at the associate’s level are often called health information technology while those at the bachelor’s level may go by a variety of names. A combined health information/ health informatics program may qualify you for additional certifications.
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Excel inside and outside the classroom. As part of your studies, you will complete internships. The right attitude can mean a job after graduation. AHIMA recommends going a bit beyond your duties by developing a professional relationship with someone in a good position and asking if you can spend a day shadowing them. AHIMA also recommend volunteering in a hospital. (There may be regulations limiting what duties you can perform, but you’re still making contacts.)
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You may want to take your education to the master’s level. There are programs available in health informatics and health information management (If you already have a bachelor’s in a related health or information field, you can enter the HIM or HI field at the graduate level.)
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Find a job. AHIMA manages a site, Health Information Careers, where you can post a resume. The organization cautions new professionals, though, not to rely too heavily on internet postings as an estimated 70% to 80% of positions come through networking. You will likely want to maintain a web of contacts, relying on mentors and members of your professional organization.
Personality Traits: Health information professionals are savvy with both computers and people.