Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Degrees
Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIAs) are skilled in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of patient data. Additionally, they receive the training necessary to assume managerial positions related to these functions. RHIAs interact with all levels of an organization - clinical, financial, administrative - that employ patient data in decision making and every day operations.
In a recent membership survey, AHIMA found that more than half of the RHIA
respondents were directors, managers, or consultants, with nearly 31 percent serving
as health information management directors. Historically, most RHIAs have held the
title of director of the health information management department of an acute care
facility, but today other career opportunities abound, including privacy officer, patient
information coordinator, information security manager, and data quality manager. As
patient records evolve toward computerization and as more entities such as third-party payers require high-health data, RHIAs benefit from a wide selection of roles
across the industry.
RHIAs enjoy job placements in a broad range of settings that span the continuum of healthcare including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. The growth of managed care has created additional job opportunities in HMOs, PPOs, and insurance companies. Prospects are especially strong in these settings for RHIAs who possess advanced degrees in business or health administration. According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), entry-level salaries for RHIAs average $40K - $75K.
To be eligible for the RHIA exam, candidates must have completed a bachelor degree level health information management program accredited by CAHIIM.
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