If you excel at data analysis, are highly organized, love to tackle challenges and have an eagle eye for detail, you could be on your way to forging a career path as a health information management director.
If you excel at data analysis, are highly organized, love to tackle challenges and have an eagle eye for detail, you could be on your way to forging a career path as a health information management director.
Health information management (HIM) directors are a type of medical and health services manager who play a pivotal role in the healthcare industry. A HIM director's responsibilities may include:
In 2022, there were approximately 509,500 medical and health services managers in the U.S. workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The largest employers of these professionals included state, local and private hospitals; physician offices; and nursing and residential care facilities.[1]
These experts may work alongside operations professionals, including data analysts, financial officers, software developers and medical records practitioners. Some reported job titles related to this role include health information manager, medical records director, clinical director, nursing director and healthcare system director, according to O*NET.
Advantages
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the demand for healthcare workers is expected to grow. Therefore, a higher number of medical and health services managers will likely be needed to manage staff, coordinate patient care in team-based environments and oversee the organization and management of electronic health records (EHRs), BLS reports.
In day-to-day experience in this role, health information management directors may demonstrate skills in the following areas:
Additional skills:
Regularly used on the job
As a medical and health services manager, essential soft skills include meticulous attention to detail, strong leadership abilities, analytical thinking and effective communication, BLS states.
25th to 75th percentile
Medical and health services managers — including health information management directors —within the 25th to 75th percentile earned salaries ranging from $86,080 to $157,640 in 2023, according to BLS nationwide statistics.[1]
Projected annual job opportunities
National job opportunities for medical and health services managers — including health information management directors — are projected to grow by 28% between 2022 and 2032, BLS reports. [1]
[1] Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. The salary ranges, job opportunities and outcomes presented represent the larger job category, which includes the particular job title. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website. The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Education requirements for health information management director job candidates may vary. While some employers may allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree to apply, others may prefer candidates with a master’s degree. A graduate degree may enhance job prospects and strengthen your credibility as a candidate. You may consider programs in a related area of study, such as health information management, health administration or nursing.
You may also want to consider certificate programs to complement your path towards the health information management director career. Certificates are shorter than degree programs but can be valuable as they can help you stay updated on new trends in your field and build up your real-world skills. At the University of Phoenix, we've designed our certificate programs with you in mind — especially if you've already earned a bachelor's degree and are looking to dig deeper into your specialty or broaden your expertise in the field.
Alongside your educational qualifications, you will likely need work experience in health information management or a related area. The required length of previous experience may vary by employer. You can gain relevant practice in a professional environment through entry-level positions, such as medical records specialist, or fellowship opportunities, which may be paid and possibly lead to employment. From there, you can advance into mid-level roles, such as health information manager, before pursuing the health information management director position.
Once you’ve worked as a health information management director for some time, you may decide to take your next career step. You may consider pursuing new responsibilities by expanding your scope of work or seeking higher-level executive roles, which may require a master’s degree, according to BLS.
Phoenixes in the workplace
Meet Wayland W., an alum whose journey from adversity to leadership exemplifies resilience. As a director of a non-profit health care system, his UOPX education empowered him to lead with heart, transforming his career and allowing him to create positive change in healthcare.
Wayland W. | MHA 2016
Phoenixes in the workplace
Meet Wayland W., an alum whose journey from adversity to leadership exemplifies resilience. As a director of a non-profit health care system, his UOPX education empowered him to lead with heart, transforming his career and allowing him to create positive change in healthcare.
At University of Phoenix, we offer several master's and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates, that lead to the health information management director career outcome. Our flexible approach to learning means you can integrate higher education into your life, advancing one course at a time every six weeks. Explore our offerings to find out which program is aligned to your goals.
The Master of Health Administration program provides leaders and aspiring leaders in the health sector with the insight and skills necessary to drive the future of healthcare by facilitating cross-system transformation and improving outcomes for patients, populations and providers. Areas of inquiry include industry and organizational dynamics in the health sector, visioning the future, forming strategic relationships, leading with authenticity in health systems, creating a sustainable personal legacy and transformation and execution in diverse health system contexts.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
You can earn this degree by completing a minimum of 36 credits. The program is 17 months long.
We also offer a Master of Health Administration competency-based program. It's important to recognize that competency-based education isn't suitable for everyone. If you thrive in a structured academic environment with consistent instruction, you may find the traditional MHA program more suited for you. Our MHA competency-based program, on the other hand, is ideal for students who prefer a more independent approach to learning, allowing you to progress at your own pace and manage your time more efficiently — all while potentially saving time and money on your degree. This program is designed to be completed in 12 months. Learn more about our competency-based programs.
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
For additional information, visit cahme.org or call 301-298-1820.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), PO Box 911, Spring House, PA 19477
The Master of Health Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Compliance and Privacy program prepares leaders and aspiring leaders in the healthcare sector by providing the competencies necessary to drive the future of the industry through effective facilitation of cross-system transformation and the improvement of health outcomes for patients, populations and providers. The Healthcare Compliance and Privacy concentration within this program is designed to prepare leaders and aspiring leaders for leadership positions in compliance and privacy within the industry that require competency in compliance practices, ethical considerations, and policy implementation regarding privacy, regulatory affairs and legal obligations within the industry. The program educationally prepares students to sit for the Certificate in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) examination.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
You can earn this degree by completing a minimum of 45 credits through courses in program content areas and concentration-specific topics. The program is 21 months long.
The Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration dual degree program prepares leaders who can effectively respond to the dynamic and ever-changing healthcare industry while providing in-depth knowledge to business management practices. The dual degree provides graduates with a distinct edge and greater flexibility in shaping a meaningful career by covering essential business knowledge and industry specific skills. Students will critically examine and evaluate issues and trends that impact our evolving healthcare system. Curriculum is tailored to the needs of the healthcare business leader by providing content in areas such as finance, policy, research, technology, human resources, economics, marketing and strategic planning. The program also emphasizes the identification, analysis and solution of complex management problems for a growing industry. In addition, the dual degree offers students to customize the curriculum by selecting elective courses to prepare for career opportunities.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
You can earn this degree by completing a minimum of 58 credits through courses in required and elective topics. The program is 27 months long.
This is a post-licensure nursing program designed for nurses with current RN licensure who desire to obtain a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a concentration in Informatics (MSN/INF). The program prepares the graduate to function in nursing informatics leadership roles; specialize in the design and use of electronically stored data to influence quality in care delivery; and provide evidence of meeting quality, compliance and regulatory standards and requirements.
You can earn this degree by completing a minimum of 34 credits through 11 courses in core topics. The program is 20 months long.
If you hold an active RN license and a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, our Nursing Bridge Program is tailored to help experienced professionals like you earn a master's degree in nursing, while saving on time and tuition. You’ll start with three Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and transition into a program specialty that aligned to your career goals. This option an efficient path designed with your career advancement in mind.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Doctor of Health Administration program prepares mid-careerists across the health sector for the future of the industry, providing aspiring leaders with the competencies necessary to lead and meet the demands of rapidly changing organizations, shape the structure of complex health systems and their evolution and contribute to the existing body of knowledge through evidence-based practice and innovative organizational research.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
You can earn this degree by completing a minimum of 54 credits through courses in required and elective topics. The program is 42 months long.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) builds on the foundation of the graduate nursing competencies. Program content focuses on advocacy; scientific evidence and innovations for improvement in patient and healthcare outcomes; leadership strategies; and accountability to transform delivery by designing, evaluating and continuously improving the context within delivery. Graduates are prepared for the expanding role functions and the needs of advanced nursing practice. Graduates of the DNP, with a blend of clinical, organizational, economic and leadership skills, are prepared to significantly influence outcomes.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
You can earn this degree by completing 31 credits of required study. The length of this program is 20 months, and each course is eight weeks long. This program does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or state licensure as a nurse or an advanced practice nurse.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Health Information Systems Certificate is an academic certificate that provides a foundation of knowledge to pursue a career in health information systems and technology. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be educationally prepared to pursue a certification as a Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
This certificate requires you to complete 24 credits and is 10 months long. Each course is five weeks in length.
The Graduate Healthcare Compliance and Privacy Certificate is designed to prepare leaders and aspiring leaders for leadership positions in compliance and privacy within the healthcare industry that require competency in compliance practices, ethical considerations and policy implementation regarding privacy, regulatory affairs and legal obligations within the healthcare industry. The certificate educationally prepares students to sit for the Certificate in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) examination.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
This certificate requires you to complete 15 credits and is seven months long. Each course is six weeks in length.
The Post Master's Certificate in Health Administration program is intended for early- to mid-careerists across the health sector wanting to focus on health administration at the postmasters level from an applied perspective. This certificate is designed to emphasize curricular leadership that improves instruction and educational outcomes. The credits earned from CERT/D-HA are transferable and applicable toward the University of Phoenix Doctor of Health Administration.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
This certificate requires you to complete 15 credits and is 10 months long. Each course is six weeks in length.
If you are looking to earn bachelor’s degree related to this field, you may consider a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) or a Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM). While these University of Phoenix bachelor’s degrees do not directly prepare you for the health information management director career, a bachelor’s degree is a necessary prerequisite for our master’s degrees detailed above.
When enrolled in our BSHA or BSHM programs, you can also get a head start on your graduate-level education through our MHA Pathway. You will have the option to take two graduate-level courses as electives to count towards your Master of Health Administration degree.
We maintain a similar offer for graduate students in the following programs who are looking to earn additional academic credentials beyond their master’s degree:
These students have the option to substitute up to three select graduate level courses with designated doctoral level courses, which they may be able to apply toward a doctoral degree at the University.
Once you become a Phoenix, you'll gain access to our Career Navigator tools, which can help you evaluate career options, track career-relevant skills and discover job postings suited to your needs. From resumé building and interview preparation to networking and mentorship, University of Phoenix offers career services for life to all students and graduates. Dive deeper into our career services, resources and tools to find out how we can help you reach your goals.