Health information management is among the 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. and certainly deserve a second look for anyone interested in a dynamic, continuously challenging career. Its offerings of leadership and management skills, specialized and technical tools, and its commitment to quality are all excellent reasons to explore a career as a health information professional.

As a licensed professional registered nurse with a decade of practice under my belt, I felt a desire to broaden my career and employment opportunities with skills that would enrich me professionally, as well as help me acquire additional skills in the areas of computerization and management. I found that a degree in health information management (HIM) would help me reach my goals. I had no idea how the addition of this new endeavor would compliment my current career path and expose me to concepts I never knew existed. The HIM program at UIC has provided me with exciting experience in specialty settings. Furthermore, my studies have also given me rewarding experiences through interaction with top educators who are at the forefront in this field and are committed to the quality of health information. I am truly satisfied with the choice that I have made.

HIM professionals are experts in the field of patient health information and medical records. The responsibility of HIM professionals is to manage health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, legal, and ethical standards of the healthcare delivery system (1). An HIM professional also has the opportunity to develop information systems for quality patient care, medical research, facility reimbursement, healthcare evaluation, and health planning. The administrative duties of an HIM professional include personnel supervision, budget management, capital equipment selection, and systems design and analysis. Moreover, an HIM professional conveys health-related information to qualified individuals and protects confidential patient data (1).

The career paths available to individuals with an HIM education are diverse. An HIM education prepares individuals for employment not only in hospitals as a credentialed registered health information administrator (RHIA), but also in numerous institutions and organizations that use health information, such as consulting and law firms, insurance companies, information system vendors, and pharmaceutical companies (2). Individuals with an HIM degree may work as an HIM department director, HIM systems manager, physician practice manager, or as a clinical coding specialist (2). Receiving an education in HIM is the opportunity to work in healthcare with cutting edge information technology along side other leading health professionals.

The HIM curriculum is not for the faint of heart! The coursework is challenging and filled with opportunities for an individual to become an exceptional manager or entrepreneur in a variety areas. My ambition is to develop a company dealing with healthcare finance. I hope to use the wide range of skills and information that I am gaining from my hands-on experiences in the classroom, from the professional literature, and from theory and past success stories to accomplish my goal. HIM is a profession that is perhaps not easily seen, but there are over 40,000 HIM professionals in the U.S. (2). Receiving an education in HIM is an opportunity to join a dynamic profession that can provide unique skills for a fulfilling career.

Valerie is a senior majoring in health information management. Her future ambition is to become an entrepreneur in the health information management field.