The job title may be unfamiliar, but the position is vital to the efficient delivery of quality health care. As the medical establishment grows increasingly reliant on electronic medical records, you and your doctors depend on health information managers to ensure that your medical records are promptly available to those who need to see them, but safely hidden from the prying eyes of identity thieves and others who would misuse the information.
Health information managers are responsible for obtaining, analyzing and securing the digital and traditional health records of patients. In order to do so, they use a thorough understanding of modern information technology, clinical knowledge, and administrative management skills. Their responsibilities may include designing, implementing and maintaining computerized health information systems, educating coworkers about the procedures and technology used for medical records, and supervision of other employees. They may also assist in setting budgets and creating health information policy. Health information managers work throughout the health care system in places like hospitals, private practices, clinics and nursing homes. They can also be found in state health departments, federal agencies, and other government organizations. Some are even employed outside the health care system in technology companies, law firms, and research organizations that develop health care products or work to shape health care policy.
Health information managers work in many types of healthcare settings, including inpatient rehabilitation facilities, acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician’s offices, public health agencies, mental health facilities, and outpatient clinics.
A person working in Healthcare Management in Kenya typically earns around KSH189,000 per month. Salaries range from KSH45,900 (lowest average) to KSH455,000 (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
With skills that are valued by virtually all health care organizations and many private businesses, health information managers are in demand. As the aging population creates a growing demand for health care services, the need for trained professionals capable of securely managing health care information systems is steadily increasing.
In order to qualify for positions in the health information field, students need to earn either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Because this evolving field is growing rapidly, many colleges and universities have added health information degree programs to their catalogs.
