Health Information Management professionals can hold many diverse roles, yet all share a common purpose: providing reliable and valid information that drives the healthcare industry. They are specialists in administering information systems, managing medical records, and coding information for reimbursement and research. Health information management professionals are uniquely qualified to:

	Ensure health information is complete and available to legitimate users
	Code and classify data for reimbursement
	Analyze information necessary for decision support
	Protect patient privacy and provide information security
	Enhance the quality and uses for data within healthcare
	Administer health information computer systems
	Comply with standards and regulations regarding health information
	Prepare health data for accreditation surveys
	Analyze clinical data for research and public policy

Not only do they have diverse roles, Health Information Management professionals  work throughout the entire healthcare industry in settings that span the continuum of care. In fact, Association members are employed in any organization that uses health information, including:

	Hospitals
	Managed care organizations
	Long term care facilities
	Behavioral health facilities
	Consulting and law firms
	Information system vendors
	Ambulatory care facilities
	Rehabilitation center
	Skilled nursing facilities
	Home care providers
	Government agencies
	Pharmaceutical companies
	Physician practices
	Insurance companies

 Job Skills of Health Information Management Professionals:

	Collecting, interpreting and analyzing health information data
	Knowledge of health information standards and regulations
	Understanding of the legal and risk management implications of health information management
	Knowledge of prospective payment systems, ICD-9-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding systems
	Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology
	Understanding of ethical coding practices
	Auditing skills for coding quality and compliance

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