What Jobs are in Health Information Systems?

The jobs in health information systems are open to individuals who have bachelor’s degrees in majors like computer science, information technology and health care administration. Training in statistics, systems administration, database management and health informatics is helpful for the following three careers.

Health Information System Coordinator

Health information system coordinators oversee concurrent medical record documentation. They use daily census reports to ensure that active charts are correct. They are responsible for the implementation and continuation of monitoring systems and quality improvement initiatives. Health information system coordinators follow up on regular audit documentation that is submitted by other departments. They review charts to ensure proper coding of diagnoses.

If necessary, they conduct their own audits and create reports on incorrect or inefficient processes. They support the IT department’s completion of discharge data abstracts. They perform data analysis in order to extract information, identify inaccuracies and ensure accurate processing and reporting. Health information system coordinators need a bachelor’s degree and coding specialist certification, according to the AAPC. They will need a few years experience in an inpatient or outpatient health care setting with medical records systems.

Health Information Systems (HIS) Specialist

Health information systems (HIS) specialists provide associated systems support to health care providers and administrative team members. They provide relevant patient data from health information systems and electronic health record systems to providers and managers. They conduct workflow analyses to streamline operations, offer implementation process maps to executives and create optimization strategies that maximize system benefits for end users.

Health information systems (HIS) specialists conduct needs assessments, troubleshoot any issues that arise and recommend appropriate solutions. For example, they may include the installation of alternate methods, the creation of new processing methods or the redesign of internal workflows. These professionals must continually display an exceptionally high level of attention to detail and customer service skills in each in each end user encounter. The need experience supporting large scale user clinical environments and a bachelor’s degree in related to health care technology.

Revenue Cycle Systems Analyst

Revenue cycle systems analysts help both users and IT personnel with training and help desk support. They develop and share user documentation. Revenue cycle systems analysts are involved with the creation of health care system designs, so they handle functional specifications and implement strategies for specific operational needs. One of their main duties is to build, test and execute customized software solutions to create new system-wide reports. This means that they must prepare individual unit and enterprise-wide integrated test plans and methodologies.

They support information management needs by maintaining production systems and ensuring reliable performance. They coordinate efforts between stakeholders from multiple departments in order to gather data, develop technical standards and test enhancements. Finally, they identify and resolve data integrity issues through analyzing process flows and leveraging improvement opportunities. They collaborate with stakeholders to build, test and maintain revenue management cycles and clinical solutions.

Related Resource: Certified Medical Manager

There are alternative jobs in health information systems available, such as medical coding specialist, health information manager and chief health informatics (CHI) officer. Additionally, a coding supervisor will oversee coding functions for quality, training, productivity and company guidelines. They evaluate staff performance and the accuracy of their work related to clinical coding. They also validate information in administrative databases for outcomes management and quality assurance purposes.