The document discusses career opportunities and paths for health information management (HIM) professionals. It notes that HIM is a fast-growing field with over 186,000 jobs in 2012 and an expected 22% growth by 2022. While traditional career paths include positions like HIM director, coding specialist, and privacy officer, the document encourages thinking outside the box and considering non-traditional opportunities. These may include working from home as an independent consultant or with insurance companies, law offices, universities, and more. It stresses developing a career plan and seeking mentorship to navigate opportunities in the wide-ranging field.

1. HIM PROFESSIONALS WORK
EVERYWHERE
BY: CYNTHIA BROWN, MBA, RHIT, CCS
OWNER
CYNTCODING HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES

2. WONDERING WHAT’S NEXT?
OK, you’ve seen the
statistics:
 22% expected growth
between 2012-22.
 Fastest growing and in
demand more than the
average job.
 186,000 jobs held in
2012 alone.
 Above-average pay
rate.

3. WONDERING WHAT’S NEXT?
So you have….
 Selected an accredited
program or school;
 Completed your
coursework;
 Completed and took
full advantage of the
required practicum;
 Graduated;
 Sat and passed
required exams for
certification.

4. WONDERING WHAT’S NEXT?
You start your job
search…
 Sent out resumes;
 Did volunteer work;
 Attended local HIM
meetings;
 Used social media;
 Researched your new
career for ideas;
 Cried; complained and
you still haven’t found
work.

5. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
Perhaps you are
thinking of your newly
found opportunity as a
job rather than a
career.
 Change your
prospective.
 Start thinking this is my
new career.
 I must start to think
“outside” the box.


6. CAREERS MUST FOLLOW A CAREER PATH
Traditional Career Paths
in HIM:
 HIM Director
 HIM Systems Manager
 Information Security
Officer
 Chief Privacy Officer
 Corporate Compliance
Officer
 Consultant

7. CAREERS MUST FOLLOW A CAREER PATH
Traditional Career Paths
in HIM:
 Health Data Analyst
 Clinical Coding
Specialist
 Patient Information
Coordinator
 Physician Practice
Manager
 Financial Specialist
 Director of Quality
Management

8. CAREERS MUST FOLLOW A CAREER PATH
The time and effort put into educating yourself should
not be left to chance. A well-thought out career plan can
help to make those crucial career choices a lot less
daunting. Know where you want to go and how you are
going to get there. Knowing how to get there takes
research and may not always be achieved through
traditional methods. Certain variables like economic
and personal life changes can sometimes push you in
directions that you did not anticipate. That’s okay, every
plan needs revisiting from time to time. Make necessary
adjustments but keep the GOAL in full view. Staying
focused and not becoming discouraged is the key.
Think P.I.G., Persistence, Integrity, and Guts.

9. I’M THINKING CAREER PATH
I’ve decided on a career
path, now what?
 Research the
requirements to get
there.
 Find a mentor in your
area. (visit AHIMA.org
for info on mentors in
your area).
 Think outside the box
when looking for
employment.

10. HIM PROFESSIONALS WORK
EVERYWHERE
Hospitals
 Ambulatory Care
Facilities
 Physician Facilities
 Managed Care
Organizations
 Long-term Care
Facilities
 Consulting Firms
 Information Systems
Vendor


11. HIM PROFESSIONALS WORK
EVERYWHERE
Insurance Companies
 Worker’s Comp
Lawyers’ Offices
 Rehabilitation Centers
 Mental Health
Organizations
 Colleges & Universities
 Government Agencies
 Accreditation
Organizations


12. HIM PROFESSIONALS WORK
EVERYWHERE
Release of Information
Companies
 Large Corporation who
have onsite medical
facilities for their
employees
 Pharmaceutical
Companies
 Internet-based
Healthcare Companies


13. HIM PROFESSIONALS WORK
EVERYWHERE
Accreditation
Organizations
 Healthcare Research
Organizations
 From Home, as
Independent
Consultants
 Health Clinics
 Employment Agencies


14. GOOD LUCK!!
Cynthia Brown, MBA, RHIT, CCS
AHIMA approved ICD-10 CM/PCS Trainer
CyntCoding Health Information Services
Phone: 404-992-8984/E-Fax: 678-805-4919
P.O. Box 3019
Decatur, GA 30031
cyntcoder@gmail.com or cyntcoder@aol.com
www.cyntcodinghealthinformationservices.com
Coding Yesterday’s Nomenclature Today®