What is a RHIA?
Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIAs) are skilled in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems and medical terminologies. They possess comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient information. RHIAs manage people and operational units, participate in administrative committees, and prepare budgets. They interact with all levels of organizations - clinical, financial, administrative, and information system - that employ patient data in decision-making and everyday operations.

RHIA Career Opportunities
RHIAs enjoy job placements in a broad range of settings that span the continuum of healthcare including hospitals, multispecialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. The profession has seen significant expansion in nonpatient care settings, with careers in managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies. Prospects are especially strong in these settings for RHIAs who possess advanced degrees in business or health administration.

RHIA Career Outlook and Salary
Career outlook and salary potential for RHIAs are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health information is expected to grow by 20% between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average of all occupations. RHIAs have excellent earning potential. According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), entry-level salaries for RHIAs average $40K - $75K. Health managers with RHIA certification earn nearly $15K more than managers without RHIT certification and almost 60% of RHIA certified healthmanagers earn over $50K.

Preparing for a RHIA Career
First, RHIA candidates must have a CAHIIM accredited bachelor's degree in Health Information Management. The baccalaureate degree curriculum has a strong foundation in general education and lays the groundwork for future advanced learning at the graduate level for those interested in pursuing advanced studies. At the professional coursework level, the baccalaureate degree curriculum requires in-depth knowledge and skills in data content and uses, healthcare systems, information systems analysis and design, selected information and communication technologies, statistical analysis and clinical data management, research and evaluation methods, and strategic management of information resources. The expertise of the baccalaureate degree graduate lies in the planning, analysis, design, and management of healthcare information resources and services. The focus is on preparing mid-level managers. Second, RHIA candidates must pass the national RHIA Certification Exam. This 4 hour exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions. The pass rate for first time test takers of the 2009 RHIA Certification exam was 70.6%. >> RHIA Exam Content (pdf)

To be eligible for the RHIA exam, candidates must have completed a bachelor degree level health information management program accredited by CAHIIM.

Technical Management / Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
This CAHIIM accredited online degree program in Technical Management with a technical specialty in Health Information Management (HIM) provides the experience and knowledge students need to progress in their profession and take the RHIA certification exam. Some of the positions available with a bachelor's degree include HIM Department Director, Health Information System Manager, Chief Privacy Officer, Clinical Data Specialist, Information Security Manager and Product Marketing Specialist. (CAHIIM accreditation has been granted only to the online program for this Health Information Management BS Degree.)

In addition to completing foundational coursework in business, management, and technology, students will master health information management specialty coursework such as:

• Advanced Classification Systems
• Healthcare Statistics and Research
• Data Security and Privacy
• Health Information Financial Management
• Management of Health Information Functions and Services

DeVry also offers

• Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science

Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
This CAHIIM accredited program provides a unique path for RHITs to obtain their BS in HIM in just 2 ¼ years. This program has been tailor-made for working RHITs who don't want to be bogged down with countless electives in their efforts to obtain a Bachelor's degree. The accelerated curriculum-made possible by an advanced network of support-prepares students to truly excel in the field. This RHIT progression program builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through prior education and work experience. Graduates of this program are equipped with the knowledge to take AHIMA's RHIA certification exam.

Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
Graduates of Herzing Online’s CAHIIM Accredited Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program will not only master the core coding, health sciences and general education requirements, they will also posses a solid understanding of business and management principles and how those are applied to the health care field, specifically in the area of medical records and health information documentation.

The Herzing University Health Information Management online programs further prepare students through the inclusion of an internship opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the field. In addition, the Program Review and Career Development courses guide students through the different certifications available to Health Information Management and Medical Billing and Insurance Coding professionals (and how to get them) as well as the creation of a coding skills portfolio to share with prospective employers. It is the combination of Herzing’s quality education, Student Support and Career Services that allow Herzing Online to boast that 97% of our available graduates started careers in the field they studied in 2008.

• Medical Assisting - AS
• Medical Assisting - Diploma
• Medical Billing and Insurance Coding - AS
• Medical Billing and Insurance Coding - Diploma
• Medical Office Administration - AS
• Medical Office Administration - Diploma

Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science
Kaplan University's Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program blends online coursework with on-ground clinical experiences and is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required to pursue entry-level positions in the competitive and growing health information management field.

Health Information Management - Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is designed to act as the next step for individuals who already possess an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree. Students matriculating into this program must have successfully completed Kaplan University's Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program or a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)-approved AAS in Health Information Technology program prior to admission. The objective of the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management is to help prepare graduates to pursue career advancement within the growing field of health information. Students are taught the skills needed to be innovative and adaptable thinkers and problem solvers who can leverage available services and technologies to support operations, management, and strategic initiatives within the health information field.

Health Information Management - Master of Science in IT
This Health Information Management master’s specialization offers health care-focused course work on information systems, databases, system security, data analysis, decision support, and strategic management, along with overviews of important IT and business topics. The curriculum follows the model curriculum of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and was developed to align with the criteria of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management (CAHIIM). It is designed to help you use information management and security to support efficient, accurate health care delivery and management. People who choose this specialization are often IT professionals pursuing health information management or consulting positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.

Health Information - Post Bachelor's Certificate
This CAHIIM accredited online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management allows experienced health care, business, and IT professionals to become eligible for the highly-valued Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Certification. This online program can be completed in as few as 11 courses. Graduates are eligible to register for the national Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) credential examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Over 90 percent of our graduates pass the exam, consistently scoring above the national mean in both overall and subject-specific areas.

• Health Informatics - Master of Science
• Health Informatics - Certificate (Post-Bachelor's)
• Health Informatics - Certificate (Post-Master's)

Health Information Technology - Applied Associate of Science
Rasmussen's Health Information Technology AAS Degree program is accredited by CAHIIM and will prepare students to take the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Program topics include: basic, intermediate, and advanced ICD-9-CM coding, ambulatory care coding, pathology, health information technologies, and more.

Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science
In as little as 16 months students can earn the AAS in Health Information Technology. The program prepares students to work for hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, home healthcare services, clinics and insurance companies. Students will become proficient in advanced coding and billing, data analysis, database management, medical records management and much more.

Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science
NAU's Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) is an excellent career choice if you see yourself working in the in-demand health care field, but not directly with patients. As a graduate of this program, it may be your job to verify the completeness and accuracy of medical records and data entry into computer systems to ensure medical record quality; to use technology to analyze for quality and efficiency of patient care; to code patient diagnoses and procedures for research or reimbursement purposes; or to work in specialized registries that maintain data for medical research. NAU is currently pursuing program accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) to allow graduates of the HIT program to be eligible to take the certification examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).