Pros and Cons of Becoming a Health Records Manager
Health records managers, also known as health information managers, store patient health records. The following list of pros and cons can help you decide if this occupation is right for you.
| Pros of Being a Health Records Manager |
|---|
| Above average earning potential ($83,654)* |
| Good job outlook (17% expected growth from 2014-2024)** |
| Job experience may be suitable for some employers* |
| Most managers work in comfortable settings* |
| Cons of Being a Health Records Manager |
|---|
| Usually requires certification and continuing education* |
| Typically requires at least five years of experience* |
| High level of responsibility can be stressful** |
| May work late evening, overnight or weekend shifts** |
Sources: *Salary.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Essential Career Info
Job Description
As a health records manager, you're responsible for overseeing the collection, organization, storage, retrieval, and security of patient records. You must also ensure that records in both paper and electronic formats are complete and accurate. You may have the added responsibility of making sure that only authorized personnel can access computer databases. Other duties include compiling data used to provide treatment plans, preparing business and government forms, processing admission and discharge reports, and releasing information to authorized third parties.
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for health services managers is expected to grow 17% from 2014-2024. This is primarily due to an increase in the elderly population, which may drive demand for medical services. Also, employment is expected to grow at private practices - health procedures commonly done at hospitals are now being performed at physicians' offices. The median salary for medical records managers in 2016 was $83,654, according to Salary.com.
What Are the Requirements?
A bachelor's degree is usually the minimum education required to work as a health records manager; however, a master's degree could be necessary for some positions. Employers may require that managers hold either the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) designation offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). In addition, many employers expect you to have strong analytical, communication, information-gathering, and time-management skills.
Job Postings from Real Employers
Job postings for health records management positions show that employers are looking for candidates who hold associate's or bachelor's degrees, relevant experience, and industry certifications. Some employers also accept candidates with high school diplomas; however, these applicants usually need additional work experience. To give you an idea of what employers are looking for, here are some real job postings from March 2012:
- A behavioral health organization in Arkansas is looking for a manager of medical records with a 4-year degree and 1-3 years of experience. Job duties include analyzing, coding, managing, and maintaining medical records in compliance with healthcare regulations. Other requirements include RHIT or RHIA certification.
- A health services company in Ohio seeks a records and information manager to develop, implement, and monitor documents and electronic information. This candidate is required to have 5-7 years of experience in corporate records management and a bachelor's degree in archives and records management, library science or technology. This employer prefers applicants who hold the Certified Records Management (CRM) and Electronic Records Management (ERM) credentials.
- A health information company in California wants to hire a medical records area manager to assist the district manager in supervising and training medical records staff at facilities in the city. Job requirements include an associate's or bachelor's degree in business or medical management and two years of healthcare management experience. A high school diploma and two years of healthcare management experience is also acceptable.
- A hospital system in Pennsylvania seeks a health information manager to maintain medical records, perform review analysis, and manage daily operations and staff members. This candidate must have a high school diploma or, ideally, a degree in health information management.
How to Stand Out in the Field
Pursue Alternate Certifications
Although the RHIA certification is the standard for this profession, there are other certifications that can help you stand out. Among them are the Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) and Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security credentials (CHPS) offered by AHIMA. To register for the CHPS certification exam, you may need to hold a healthcare credential, such as the RHIA, and 2-6 years of experience in health information management, depending on the level of education you completed. For the CDIP exam, you need 2-6 years of work experience.
You could also obtain the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems designation offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. To sit for this exam, you must have a bachelor's degree and five years of experience in information management.
Earn a Master's Degree
Earning a master's degree in health information management or a related field may give you an edge on the competition. Most health information management programs take 2-3 years to complete, and many of these programs are offered online, so you can continue to work while furthering your education.
Alternative Career Paths
Clinical Data Managers
If you're looking for a similar occupation with higher earning potential, consider becoming a clinical data manager. These professionals are responsible for designing and testing databases used to store health records. Some of your duties would involve designing forms used to track data, monitoring databases to ensure authorized usage, and writing guidelines on how information should be captured and stored. According to Salary.com, completion of a master's or doctorate program in an area of specialty is usually required. Salary.com also reported that the median salary for clinical data managers was about $97,000 in 2012.
Human Resource Manager
if you're looking for a career with more personal interaction, a job in human resource management may be for you. In this position, you'd be responsible for maintaining employee records that contain sensitive data, such as criminal and education history, previous employment, disciplinary actions, and salary. In addition, you might conduct interviews and employee orientations, resolve employee relations issues, and recruit candidates. According to the BLS, most human resource managers have at least a bachelor's degree; some positions require a master's degree. As of 2011, the median salary of human resource managers was $99,000, reports the BLS.
