The educational program in health information administration is located on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

Description of the Profession Health information administrators collect, interpret, and protect health data and determine how data are used. They are managers and information specialists who frequently interact with other members of the medical, financial, and administrative staffs. It is their responsibility to ensure that the information system is protected and driven by accurate, up-to-the-minute information. Some examples of the responsibilities of department managers follow.

• Supervise and train clerical and technical personnel.
• Determine health information policies.
• Design health information collection, storage, and report systems.
• Select computer systems for processing and storing clinical data.
• Serve on standards, improvement, and utilization review committees.
• Act as liaison to other departments.
• Determine departmental budget and resource needs.
• Assure that the medical documentation requirements of various accrediting and governmental agencies are met.

Graduates of the Program While many health information administrators are employed in hospitals, others work for insurance companies, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, computer companies, physician group practices, drug companies, and government agencies. They also coordinate quality management programs for health care facilities, teach in colleges and universities, and perform consulting activities.

The program graduate is eligible to seek registration as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) by successfully passing a national qualifying examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association. RHIA registration is an important credential when seeking employment as a health information administrator.

Credentials Required to Practice RHIA, Registered Health Information Administrator.