What does a health information specialist do?
A health information specialist is in charge of overseeing and developing strategies to optimize information management procedures in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other similar environments. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and updating medical records, receiving and organizing files, and updating databases according to the appropriate coding systems and procedures. Furthermore, as a health information specialist, it is essential to coordinate with nurses and other staff to ensure accuracy in documentation, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Health information specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real health information specialist resumes:
- Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
- Review and audit medical records for correct DRG and APC assignment.
- Certify requests for subpoenas, court orders, legal cases and training of employees.
- Utilize Cerner and Centricity systems to assist in ancillary services.
- Abstract medical records with ICD9-CM, CPT and DRG coding.
- Scan documentation via DCS into HPF to be index under ROI.
- Release patient information according to the HIPPA laws and regulation which requires proof of identification.
- Utilize Cerner, Invision, and Doma to locate and create charts for patient records.
- Used gold standard coding techniques to increase productivity and quality while assigning diagnoses and procedures via ICD-CM and CPT-4 codes.
- Assign ICD-9-CM diagnostic and procedure, CPT, and E/M codes to medical information consistent with regulatory guidance and best practices.
- Receive subpoenas and verify for validity.
- Follow all HIPAA guidelines pertaining to patient confidentiality.
- Maintain productivity and quality standards in accordance with ROI department standards.
- Perform other relate clinic duties uphold departmental guidelines and observe HIPAA regulations.
- Communicate with patients, physicians and legal representatives in regard to processing requests as well as additional information.
Health information specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Health Information Specialists are proficient in Patients, HIPAA, and Medical Terminology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.
We break down the percentage of Health Information Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 26%
Admitted patients for surgical procedures by collecting and processing payments, verifying insurance, and collecting patient demographic information.
- HIPAA, 11%
Assured all releases of information complied with HIPAA Regulations and company confidentiality policies and procedures.
- Medical Terminology, 10%
Screened health records for confidential information not covered under a general authorization using medical terminology.
- Patient Care, 10%
Assist all three departments to ensure optimal patient care and smooth daily functioning of the office.
- Data Entry, 4%
Maintained and processed medical records; Distributed health information to clients and affiliates, Data Entry, Switchboard, clerical assignments.
- Office Equipment, 3%
Used general office equipment, Sorted documents from patient charts and scanned into computer
"patients," "hipaa," and "medical terminology" are among the most common skills that health information specialists use at work. You can find even more health information specialist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a health information specialist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what health information specialists do because "health information technicians must understand and follow medical records and diagnoses, and then decide how best to code them in a patient’s medical records." Additionally, a health information specialist resume shows how health information specialists use analytical skills: "retrieved patient medical records and performed data entry of medical record information. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling health information specialist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "health information technicians must be accurate when recording and coding patient information." According to a health information specialist resume, here's how health information specialists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "analyze inpatient and outpatient charts physician's detail report"
Integrity. health information specialists are also known for integrity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to health information specialist responsibilities, because "health information technicians work with patient data that are required, by law, to be kept confidential." A health information specialist resume example shows how integrity is used in the workplace: "handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism within hipaa guidelines. "
Technical skills. health information specialist responsibilities often require "technical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "health information technicians must use coding and classification software and the electronic health record (ehr) system that their healthcare organization or physician practice has adopted." This resume example shows what health information specialists do with technical skills on a typical day: "designated as the primary point of contact for all users and provided first and second-tier technical support relative to user accounts. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for health information specialist responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of health information specialists all the time, as "health information technicians need to be able to discuss patient information, discrepancies, and data requirements with other professionals such as physicians and finance personnel." An excerpt from a real health information specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what a health information specialist does: "possess strong customer/goal orientation and excellent interpersonal communication and pc skills. "
The three companies that hire the most health information specialists are:
- Ciox Health425 health information specialists jobs
- Trinity Health8 health information specialists jobs
- Porter Medical Center
6 health information specialists jobs
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Compare different health information specialists
Health information specialist vs. Medical biller coder
A medical biller coder is responsible for handling the billing processes and insurance within a hospital, clinic, or similar facility. They must gather patient information and records to analyze and translate them into codes according to the insurance and medical guidelines. Moreover, it is crucial to verify all patient forms and ensure their accuracy as it will serve as a basis on essential documents and medical record-keeping. There may also be instances where a medical biller coder must devise payment plans for patients, communicate with families and guardians, and coordinate with physicians.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, health information specialist responsibilities require skills like "patient care," "excellent organizational," "cycle management," and "office equipment." Meanwhile a typical medical biller coder has skills in areas such as "medical billing," "customer service," "cpt-4," and "hcpcs." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Medical biller coders really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $39,875. Comparatively, health information specialists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $33,177.On average, medical biller coders reach similar levels of education than health information specialists. Medical biller coders are 2.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Health information specialist vs. Medical coder
A medical coder's role is to interpret and analyze a patient's medical record and translate particular details according to the universal medical alphanumeric code. Moreover, a medical coder is primarily responsible for ensuring that the translations are accurate, as this will play a vital factor in processing insurance and receiving treatments. Aside from accuracy, it is also crucial for a medical coder to coordinate with other hospital personnel at all times, especially when there inconsistencies in the records.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, health information specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patient care," "excellent organizational," "office equipment," and "federal regulations." Meanwhile, a medical coder has duties that require skills in areas such as "cpc," "icd-10-cm," "ahima," and "clinical documentation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Medical coders may earn a higher salary than health information specialists, but medical coders earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $52,925. On the other hand, health information specialists receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,177.medical coders earn similar levels of education than health information specialists in general. They're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for health information specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Cari Ann Kreienhop
MPA Program Manager and Advisor, University of Kansas
Beyond specific technology, leaning into logical analysis and data-gathering skills are critical to bringing a well-rounded perspective into an organization. Mastering Excel and R are great for hitting the ground running in an organization, but being versatile and savvy with data analytics will be an asset to any organization.
Health information specialist vs. Medical records clerk
Medical records clerks are employees in hospitals or clinics who manage office records. They are in charge of creating, updating, and filing patient-related medical records and other related documents. They ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and labeled before storing them safely in their respective storage areas. They may also be in charge of digitizing forms for easier access to files and back up purposes. They ensure that medical records are exact and updated. Medical records clerks should be organized and must always be on top of all tasks related to patient or medical records.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, health information specialists are more likely to have skills like "excellent organizational," "cycle management," "cerner," and "home health." But a medical records clerk is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "basic math," "math," and "english language."
Medical records clerks make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $32,510. On the other hand, health information specialists are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $33,177.Most medical records clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to health information specialists. For example, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Health information specialist vs. Medical service technician
A medical service technician provides health care and treatments to patients under the supervision or directives of a more experienced physician. Most of their responsibilities revolve around assessing a patient's condition, administering required aid, diagnosing patients, conducting check-ups, and counseling patients. There are also instances when a medical service technician may prescribe medications, conduct inspections at facilities to ensure sanitary conditions, and coordinate with hospital staff for requesting supplies. Furthermore, it is crucial to have accurate documentation of all processes and transactions, all while adhering to the hospital's policies and standards.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between health information specialists and medical service technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a health information specialist might have more use for skills like "patient care," "excellent organizational," "cycle management," and "data entry." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of medical service technicians require skills like "customer service," "pet," "vital signs," and "infection control. "
In general, medical service technicians earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $39,185. The highest-paying industry for a health information specialist is the health care industry.The average resume of medical service technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to health information specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.Types of health information specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
