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Health Information and Communication
Health
Information Manager
Health Sciences Librarian
Medical Illustrator
Medical,
Scientific, Technical Writer
 Although
these individuals usually do not provide patient care, health information
personnel maintain, analyze, and preserve medical information about patients
so that it can be used in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. They
organize the data and prepare statistical reports that are used in studying
and planning health.
In the area of information and communication, these health care
professionals are often overlooked when considering who contributes
significantly to patient care. In reality, their work is extremely useful.
The accuracy of their work is crucial and promotes medical advances. As we
see increased use of computer technology and internet resources, health
information and communication professionals will help health care providers
stay ahead of the curve.
Health Information Manager
Health Information Managers plan, develop, and
administer health record systems for hospitals, clinics, community health
centers, or similar facilities. The health information management
professional collects, analyzes, and manages the information that steers the
health care industry. In dealing with patient records, the health
information manager must respect individual patient privacy yet contribute
to quality care by organizing the medical data. These information
specialists are skilled in the following areas: health care database and
database systems, medical classification systems, flow of clinical
information, relationship of financial information to clinical data, uses
and users of health care information, and medical legal issues and security
systems.
There are four types of Health Information Managers:
medical records administrators, medical coding specialists, medical records
technicians, and certified coding specialists. The medical records
administrator, (RRA), is a health service manager who directs activities in
the medical records department of a health facility. He or she may establish
departmental policy, objectives and procedures, coordinate with other
managers, and oversee the other workers in their department. The medical
records technician ensures that patient reports are complete and accurate
for computer entry, and may confer with physicians to obtain missing
information. The medical coding specialist, and certified coding specialist
(CCS) utilize an established coding system to classify medical data.
Insurance companies make use of these codes to monitor patients’ health
expenses and bill them as needed.
Work Activities
*Directing and controlling activities of personnel in the
health information department
*Planning and developing information systems for the efficient
receipt, recording, storage, and retrieval of health data
*Ensuring that confidentiality of records is safeguarded
*Developing in-service educational materials and conducting
training of health care personnel
*Assisting the health care staff in evaluating the quality of
health care
*Providing information for reimbursement by insurance companies
or other third-party payers
*Transcribing and reviewing quality of medical reports for
completeness, accuracy, and compliance
*Coding diseases, diagnosed, procedures, and treatments
according to recognized coding systems such as ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS
*Abstracting data into registers and indices for research and
specialized registries
*Compiling and analyzing data for health care statistical
reports
* Supervising personnel within the department
*Releasing confidential information to persons and agencies
according to regulations
Work Settings
In large hospitals, management of health data is usually
directed by the Health Information Managers. In smaller facilities,
experienced Health Information Managers often manage the department and
supervise personnel. Other areas where the Health Information Manager may
work includes: clinics, large group medical practices, HMOs, insurance
companies, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health
institutions, private companies, and for attorneys. As computerized medical
records are utilized, health information professionals will play a vital
role in supporting the care of patients in all these settings.
Health Information Managers manage health care data to assure
that the patient receives quality patient care while maintaining an
efficient use of health services. The clinical background of the technician
and administrator provides the knowledge to effectively perform these
duties.
Special Requirements
Positions in these careers are usually awarded to applicants
with at least a bachelor’s degree in health information management. The
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) conducts a
certification exam and awards the credential of Registered Health
Information Administrator. Medical records technicians generally have an
associate’s degree from a two-year community college or junior college
program. After passing an exam, technicians receive the title Certified
Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist-Physician
Careers-based (CCS-P).
Educational Institutions
Health
Information Management/Technology:
OC, NPCC
(A); ATU (B)
Medical
Records Administration:
ATU (B);
ASUS (C); UAMS, UACCB (A)
Medical Coding:
BHS, PCCUA,
NAC, NPCC, OTC, SACC, UACCB (C)
For more information, contact:
American Health Information Management Association
223 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150
Chicago, IL 60601-5519
(312) 233-1100
www.ahima.org
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Health science librarians are specially trained
information professionals who are responsible for the collection,
compilation, and dissemination of essential biomedical information. Using
knowledge of both library science and the health sciences, they assist
health care providers, students, researchers, and administrators with
retrieving information that will provide for better patient care, education,
and research.
Work Activities
* Select and purchase books, journals, and other materials on
health sciences
* Classify and catalog acquisitions for easy access
* Instruct health care students and professionals in the use of
information resources
* Prepare guides to reference materials
* Compile bibliographies
* Answer mail, email, fax, and telephone request for
information
* Help health care personnel track down elusive information
* Manage the operation of the medical library
* Stay current on the newest computer technology and Internet
resources
Work Settings
Health science librarians work in schools of medicine, nursing,
pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and allied health. They also work in
hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, professional associations, federal and
state agencies, research centers, and health maintenance organizations.
They majority of health science librarians are located in hospitals.
Special Requirements
A master’s degree in library science, preferably from a college
or university accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) is the
usual and preferred preparation for professional librarians. While not
mandatory for employment, certification by the Medical Library Association
(MLA) is a useful credential that can enhance job opportunities and
salaries.
Educational Institutions
Library Science:
SAUM, UCA (M)
For more information, contact:
Medical Library Association
65 Wacker Place, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 419-9094
www.mlanet.org
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Medical Illustrators are artists who create graphic
representations of medical or biological subjects for textbooks, pamphlets,
exhibits, instructional films, civil/criminal legal proceedings, and
teaching models.
Work Activities
* Drawing accurate renderings of anatomical parts, surgical
procedures, or microorganisms
* Drawing diagrams or schematic concepts
* Using modeling skills to design and sculpt artificial body
parts
* Creating graphic and audio-visual aids
* Preparing artwork for publications
* Drawing illustrations to assist with medial research
* Producing three-dimensional teaching models and exhibits
Career Specialties
Some Medical Illustrators specialize in producing artwork for
medical advertising or illustrating specific subjects for medical
specialties, such as plastic surgery or ophthalmology. However, the
majority of these artists remain general artists and are skilled to handle a
variety of assignments.
Work Settings
Medical Illustrators may be employed by medical schools and
large medial centers that have teaching and research programs. Many may
accept free-lance assignments or work exclusively on a free-lance basis.
They also may work for hospitals, manufacturers of pharmaceuticals,
publishing companies, advertising agencies, or companies specializing in
medical illustration.
Special Requirements
To become a Medical Illustrator, specialized training is
necessary in art and the biological sciences. Educational programs involve
six or seven years of college-level work beyond high school. There are five
bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs in the United States, but
these schools accept a limited number of students. An excellent academic
record and portfolio of your artwork are necessary. Most undergraduate
students major in art with a minor emphasis in the sciences.
Educational Institutions
Illustration: JBU (B)
Art:
UACCM (A); ASUJ, ATU,
HU, LC, OBU, SAUM, UAF, UALR, UAM, UAPB,
UCA, UO,
WBC (All B); ASUJ, UAF, UALR (All M)
For more information, contact:
Association of Medical Illustrators
245 1st Street, Suite
1800
Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 395-8186
www.medical-illustrators.org
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Medical, science, and technical writers are involved in a
variety of activities, including presenting health information in an
informative and interesting form for the public and offering information to
health specialists. They may write for newspapers, magazines, radio, or
television.
Technical writers deal with the same subject matter as
do science writers, but while technical writers draw an audience of
professionals in the field, science writers translate technical
information into language that lay people can understand. Medical writers
and editors are trained journalists who write or edit health-related books,
articles, and brochures on a freelance basis or as part of a professional
staff.
Work Activities
* Write articles for newsletters and journals
* Write scripts for television or radio advertisements
* Assist with writing medical textbooks and educational courses
Work Settings:
Medical, science and technical writers may be employed by print
or electronic media while other such writers may be employed by
pharmaceutical companies, universities and medical colleges, federal
agencies, professional societies, or industrial research companies.
Voluntary health agencies (VHAs) often focus their efforts on publicizing
the results of medical research and will hire medical, science, and
technical writers specifically for this. Typically, medical, science and
technical writers operate on a 35-40 hour work week.
Special Requirements
Medical science and technical writers must not only master
journalistic and reporting skills, but also have a firm understanding of
technical and scientific terminology. Often, these writers obtain a
bachelor’s degree in journalism or English from undergraduate institutions.
Some employers may prefer a writer with a science degree, but generally will
accept a liberal arts major who has completed science coursework.
Institutions may offer specific courses in medical, science, or technical
writing, but these courses are not always necessary for employment.
Organizations like the American Medical Writers Association offer a
curriculum that will offer continuing education so individuals are always
receiving an up-to-date education.
Educational Institutions
Journalism: ASUJ, ATU,
HU, JBU, UAF, UALR, UAPB, UAM (All B); ASUJ, UAF, UALR (All M)
General
English: ASUJ, ATU,
HC, HSU, HU, JBU, LC, PSC, OBU, SAUM, UAF, UAFS, UALR, UAM, UAPB, UCA, UO,
WBC (All B); ASUJ, ATU, UAF, UCA (All M); UAF (D)
Technical Writing:
UALR, UCA (B); UALR (M)
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