Health Information Specialist

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Duties and Responsibilities

Health information specialist analyzes medical, workload, finance, and insurance data. They make sure that information is recorded into medical records so practitioners can evaluate health care provided to patients. There are many job specialties in this field including Registered Record Administrators, Accredited Record Technicians, and Certified Coding Specialist Administrators coordinate information management. Record technicians ensure medical records are accurate, coordinate reimbursement, and maintain disease registries for research. Coding specialist assign correct diagnosis and procedures codes to records they report codes to insurance companies. Health information specialist work in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, physician offices, and other medical settings.

Average Salary:                          

$20,000 - $25,000 (Coding Specialists) 
$23,000 - $30,000 (Record Technicians) 
$30,000 - $40,000 (Record Administrators)

Educational Requirements

Students should take high school courses in business information, management, science, math, and English. Coding specialist must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Training is usually conducted on the job, but classes are offered at technical schools. To become certified specialist must pass an examination. Accredited record technicians must earn an associate’s degree from an from an accredited college program or from the American Health Information Management Association Independent Study Program.  Additionally, they must pass a credentialing examination. Record administrators must complete a bachelor's degree program in the field and pass a certification examination

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