Health Information Management professionals play a critical role in managing the collection, maintenance, and analysis of the medical data that healthcare professionals rely on to deliver, manage and finance quality patient care.

Health Information Management (HIM) is a profession that combines health data, information technology and management. HIM professionals play a critical role in collecting, maintaining, and analyzing the health data that healthcare professionals rely on to deliver, manage and finance quality healthcare.

HIM professionals are experts in managing health information using both automated and manual information systems. HIM professionals are found in companies and organizations that use and manage health information.

HIM professionals are credentialed by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA). This credential requires a bachelor's degree (4 years) and successful performance on the RHIA certification exam. RHIAs are skilled in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of patient data. In addition, they receive the training necessary to assume managerial positions related to these functions. RHIAs interact with all levels of an organization -- clinical, administrative, financial -- that employ patient data in decision making and every day operations.