Technology is transforming healthcare through data-driven opportunities in health information technology (HIT) and health information management (HIM), enabling professionals to apply advanced technologies in support of their healthcare interests.
Both fields are essential as they link healthcare services with data systems to support improved patient outcomes while enhancing efficiency and controlling costs. These fields center around data-driven solutions that address today’s most complex healthcare challenges, but these solutions must be led by highly skilled professionals who understand the clinical, administrative, and technical elements of the healthcare sector.
Many forward-thinking individuals view health information as an opportunity to fuse cutting-edge technology and clinical practice. Where things get more complicated is deciding whether to pursue a career in HIT or HIM, or use health information technology careers as a stepping stone to advance opportunities in HIM.
There is no right way to navigate these fields, but a strategic approach can influence career success and satisfaction in both areas. Exploring potential pathways can help you understand how health information technology careers can eventually lead to health information management careers. We’ll explore these options below, using the concept of career laddering to reveal options for transitioning from HIT to HIM.
Health Information Technology vs. Health Information Management
Before exploring health information opportunities, it’s important to clarify what distinguishes health information technology and health information management jobs. These fields share much in common, including an overarching desire to leverage health data to address both the cost and quality of care.
Given the sheer complexity of the systems that guide safe and compliance data-driven practices, there is a growing need for specialization, with different types of professionals tackling different components of health information.
What HIT Professionals Do
Health information technology (HIT) is a technical field that involves complex hardware and software used to collect and manage a wealth of patient data. This emphasizes electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital tools that shape the modern healthcare landscape.
HIT professionals maintain these systems to ensure they function reliably, supporting efficient and accurate data entry along with the seamless retrieval of critical information. Through meticulous coding and robust technical support, they ensure data integrity and support clinical providers in their efforts to improve patient care.
What HIM Professionals Do
Health information management (HIM) determines how sensitive patient information is collected and stored, moving beyond the hardware or software to encompass the many workflows and policies that keep data-driven systems safe, reliable, and compliant. HIM professionals act as health information stewards, ensuring that all health data remains not only accessible and accurate, but also fully secure, promoting its optimized usage in clinical care, billing, and even research.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) describes this field as a “combination of business, science, and information technology,” adding that HIM professionals form the critical link between “clinicians, administrators, technology designers, operations, and information technology professionals.”
Education Paths
Health information is a diverse field, and so are the educational opportunities that prepare ambitious professionals to enter this quickly changing landscape. However, two degree programs stand out among these are the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology and the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The AAS is the degree of choice for those who want to work as health information technologists, while the HIM appeals to aspiring management professionals.
Career Laddering in Health Information: What It Looks Like
The term ‘career laddering’ describes the long-term process of moving through the ranks in the professional world. It involves beginning with entry-level roles in a particular field and then continuing to gain new skills or credentials to help fuel a move into higher-level roles.
There are many ways to adapt your career path as you move up this professional ladder. To help you understand this world of potential as you clarify your goals, we’ve highlighted several potential roles at each level, revealing how they relate to different degrees or levels of experience.
Entry-Level Roles (Post-HIT Degree)
One of the main benefits of entering the health information space via HIT is an expedited training timeline. This approach makes it possible to secure professional opportunities in just two years. Upon earning an associate degree, aspiring HIT professionals can secure relevant certifications and then pursue one of these health information technology jobs:
- Health Information Technician. Health information technicians handle the technical systems that determine how patient health information is collected or stored. Their work is varied but may involve processing data requests, performing quality checks, performing system upgrades, or managing EHR security.
- Medical Coder. Medical coding is closely tied to HIT and can be a great option for gaining familiarity with the administrative side of the healthcare sector. HIT programs include multiple coding courses that provide sufficient preparation for coding-focused roles. As medical coders, HIT graduates can expect to transform medical documentation into standardized codes, using resources such as the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) or the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to improve billing accuracy and streamline insurance claims.
- Data Entry Specialist. Playing a critical role in accurate recordkeeping, data entry specialists may be asked to collect or update patient information. They often enter clinical data into EHRs while confirming that these entries are completely free of errors. Data entered by these professionals may center around patient demographics or billing concerns, although they also guide procedure documentation to ensure that diagnoses, treatments, or outcomes are accurately recorded.
- EHR Technician. Working closely with clinical professionals and IT staff members to support smooth workflows, EHR technicians are involved in EHR system troubleshooting and system maintenance.
Mid-Level Roles (Bridge from HIT to HIM)
After gaining a few years of experience in HIT along with a relevant HIM degree, it’s possible to explore the strategic or analytical side of health information as you take on mid-level roles that involve a greater emphasis on collaborative, data-driven problem-solving. Examples of mid-level careers in health information management include:
- Medical Coding Auditor. Confirming that medical codes are consistently accurate and compliant with strict regulatory standards, medical coding auditors review documentation or billing claims, using a detail-oriented approach to pinpoint errors or discrepancies. They can recommend corrective strategies or offer feedback based on their audits while keeping coding professionals abreast of regulatory changes or coding system updates.
- Clinical Documentation Specialist. Reviewing clinical documentation to verify that it aligns with coded diagnoses and procedures, coding documentation specialists help improve patient record accuracy and reimbursements.
- Compliance Support Analyst. Confirming compliance with both internal policies and regulatory requirements, compliance support analysts perform risk assessments and analyze audit results, using these insights to help organizations take the corrective actions needed to boost compliance.
- Data Quality Analyst. Focused on data integrity and responsible for data validation, data quality analysts confirm the accuracy and completeness of data used within the healthcare sector, using advanced monitoring processes to reveal inconsistencies that might affect clinical decision-making.
Advanced-Level Roles (Post-HIM Degree)
Upon acquiring data-driven expertise as analysts or specialists, experienced HIM professionals may be ready to lead diverse teams, drawing on an extensive understanding of health information, and leadership skills, to oversee staff and even shape HIM at the strategic level. Advanced health information management career opportunities include:
- Health Information Manager. While the field of HIM extends far beyond this particular job title, it is common for professionals in this niche to be referred to as health information managers. This role may focus on the day-to-day challenges of operating and improving health information systems, with health information managers overseeing professionals in coding, clinical documentation, or compliance to promote the secure and purpose-driven handling of patient information.
- Director of Health Information Management. While health information managers are responsible for keeping HIM teams running effectively, they may report to HIM directors, who hold greater strategic influence and may interact more with executives or major stakeholders. This role may encompass policy development, long-term planning, compliance, and budgetary oversight.
- Compliance Officer. Compliance officers oversee far-reaching HIPAA compliance efforts and are responsible for maintaining strict adherence to all relevant rules and regulations, often working closely with health information managers and other data-focused leaders to develop policies that promote patient safety and privacy.
Why Professionals Transition from HIT to HIM
There are many reasons to move from HIT into management roles. For many, this shift reflects a desire for greater influence and practical concerns related to income and employability. Understanding your personal reasoning can help you plan a career path that you find meaningful and realistic.
Desire for Career Advancement and Leadership
The transition from HIT to HIM is often sparked by a desire to guide and support other professionals while exploring the bigger picture of health information. Regardless of industry-focused strategic objectives, you may want to advance in your career because it is rewarding to tackle new challenges as you continue to learn and grow.
Expanded Career Mobility and Certification Opportunities
HIT is a highly targeted field, focused on a specific set of tools and technologies and how they can be properly implemented or maintained. Some health information professionals may wish to broaden their focus beyond specialized tasks and delve into the strategic aspects of health information or its connections with other healthcare domains.
HIM training can make this possible, helping HIT professionals transition into related, yet distinct niches or gain the extra certifications and other credentials needed to facilitate such shifts. HIM’s broad-based management coursework can also help professionals transition into other fields, if desired.
Growing Demand for Data-Driven Roles
There is an ongoing shift toward data-driven solutions in the healthcare industry. While this transition has ushered in significant improvements in patient care and satisfaction, there are some caveats. It is difficult to keep up with this ever-increasing abundance of data, and even more difficult to keep this information safe and secure. As healthcare organizations actively implement data-driven strategies, they will look to health information leaders to help mitigate the potential risks associated with data-focused solutions.
Higher Salary Potential
Both HIT and HIM can deliver excellent wage growth, partly due to the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas. That being said, HIM roles could lead to higher wages, reflecting the expanded skill set and considerable experience needed to thrive in this role.
Greater Impact on Organizational Strategy
HIM professionals have the chance to shape high-level organizational strategies that influence not only the use of health information, but also how this information supports large-scale healthcare visions, values, or objectives. Health information influences major decisions made within the C-suite, and HIM leaders garner the respect needed to champion the initiatives they find necessary or compelling.
Signs It’s Time to Move from HIT to HIM
Not sure if you’re ready to make the transition from HIT to HIM? There’s no simple way to determine whether you’re prepared for this shift, but a few key signs can help you plan your career future:
You’re Ready for Leadership or Team Management
If you desire greater influence in the healthcare field and believe that you can help guide other health information professionals, you may be ready to explore opportunities in HIM. These roles could grant you oversight for entire teams or departments.
You’re Frequently Asked to Train or Support Others
The ultimate sign of credibility in your niche? Being asked to assist with training while helping other HIT professionals develop technical skills. This verifies that you are respected not only due to your expertise, but also because you are an effective communicator.
You’re Interested in Policy, Strategy, or Analytics
As an HIT professional, you handle the day-to-day technical tasks that ultimately support analytical breakthroughs. Your role in shaping policies or analytical strategies may remain limited, however. HIM grants you a greater say in how policies and strategies are developed, allowing your passion to play out on a broader level.
You Want to Broaden Your Credentials
Professionals of all types can benefit from expanding their horizons and seeking broad-based training, and HIT is no exception. HIM programs provide the opportunity to move beyond technical concepts and deepen your understanding of the many frameworks and solutions that guide the use of health information. Along the way, you can gain respected credentials, including a bachelor’s degree and top distinctions from AHIMA.
Your Current Role Feels Limiting
Perhaps you were intrigued by HIT when you first entered the field but are now ready to explore new concepts or challenges. The HIM role provides the perfect chance to move beyond data entry or system maintenance and explore broader and more complex components of HIM. Although linked to your previous work in health information, these opportunities expand your reach and grant you a greater say over how patient data is safely stored in the context of privacy and regulatory compliance.
How to Prepare for the Transition from HIT to HIM
Shifting from HIT to HIM does not need to feel overwhelming. Experience in HIT forms a solid foundation for a bright future in HIM. You can lead the charge by actively seeking opportunities to develop new skills or step into leadership roles.
Build on Your Existing Skills
As a health information technologist, you likely possess an impressive skill set that includes many targeted and highly technical competencies, consisting of coding, database management, and EHR navigation, to name a few. Now, you can build on these by taking advantage of workplace training opportunities or certification programs. Consider seeking feedback from other professionals, who can help you identify skill gaps or improve your technical abilities.
Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in HIM
While it is possible to enter the HIT field after earning an associate degree, additional education may be required to qualify for higher-level HIM roles. The right bachelor’s program can help you gain a more well-rounded skill set and a degree that conveys credibility.
There’s no ‘right’ time to pursue this degree, but it could be particularly valuable upon obtaining a few years of experience in the field. At this point, you’ll find it easier to contextualize new insights and secure management roles that require several years of experience.
Develop Leadership and Communication Skills
As you pursue your bachelor’s, take advantage of class-based opportunities to improve soft skills such as communication, creativity, and problem-solving. Along the way, you can practice stepping into leadership roles, using group projects, for example, to practice delegating tasks. If leadership opportunities emerge in HIT (e.g., the chance to train those new to the field), embrace these experiences and use them to determine where leadership skill gaps may still exist.
Learn More About Data Analytics and Informatics
HIM coursework may provide a solid introduction to data-driven solutions. Still, you can also explore these on your own, looking for certification programs or workshops for guidance or even experimenting with analytical tools and technologies on your own time. Make the effort to stay up-to-date with emerging analytics and informatics solutions so you are fully prepared to embrace these once you enter higher-level HIM roles.
The Role of Education in Career Laddering
There are many ways to advance in your HIT or HIM career. Higher education can enhance this journey by helping you develop in-demand skills and exposing you to powerful networking opportunities.
How HIT Programs Set the Foundation
HIT programs form the foundation for a successful career in health information, regardless of your intention to eventually climb this field’s unique career ladder. HIT coursework covers critical concepts such as medical terminology, coding systems, and EHR, while providing early opportunities to explore the ethical underpinnings of health information.
How HIM Programs Build on That Foundation
With a foundational knowledge of health information systems and familiarity with regulations like HIPAA, you can further develop your industry expertise through comprehensive HIM coursework. This coursework should explore management principles, specifically within the context of health information. At this point, you should have the underlying knowledge needed to explore advanced topics such as healthcare informatics and information governance.
Why Choose Baker College?
Offering a transfer-friendly pathway that helps you streamline the shift from HIT to HIM, Baker College offers multiple programs of interest to aspiring health information professionals. Top options include earning a health information technology degree online or pursuing a health information management degree online. The HIM curriculum is designed to support many types of students, including those with HIT expertise and a desire to continue moving up the health information career ladder.
Elevate Your Health Information Skill Set with an HIM Degree from Baker College
Ready to expand your influence in the exciting health information field? As you explore the growing range of opportunities in HIM, look to Baker College for support. We offer a transfer-friendly bachelor’s program that can expand on your existing HIT expertise. If you’re new to health information, you can embark on an exciting career path with our associate program. Get in touch today to learn more about our health information programs and pathways.