If you’re planning to work in Health Information Management, it’s critical to learn about special designations like the RHIA Certification.
Getting certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) will make you a relevant candidate in the field. It will help you show how committed you are to your profession after you graduate.
Putting in the effort to earn your RHIA credentials will pay off in the long run. Read on and learn what certification shows employers and what you must do to apply.
Why is Becoming a Registered Health Information Administrator So Important?
The healthcare industry is growing. Information technology has become a crucial tool that helps physicians and nurses deliver quality care. In this industry, mastering practices, theories and standards is important. It’s easy to understand why earning a certificate showing you have mastered the skills pertinent to being an administrator is so important.
When you become RHIA certified, you are showing the industry and licensing agencies in the field that you have done more than just passed a Health Information Management (HIM) program. You have also absorbed the curriculum and learned how to apply it to the profession. You may be required to pass an undergraduate or a graduate program in HIM to enter the field. You can also voluntarily take the credentialing exam to prove that you can keep up with regulatory changes and that you are able to demonstrate your expertise in HIM.
What Can You Do With Your Credentials?
When you take the time to use your degree to qualify and sit for the RHIA certification exam, you are also changing your future outlook in the Health Information Management field. Some employers in larger settings tend to hire only those who have their credentials. Being RHIA certified may actually be a requirement instead of just a preferred qualification.
When you hold your RHIA credential, you are more than just an asset. You are a professional who is eligible to earn a higher salary and get promotions faster. With promotions comes higher pay, better perks and progression past entry-level work. The AHIMA has actually changed their procedures. It now includes all credential holders in the decision to change bylaws or elect new directors. This means that being credentialed turns you into part of the body who votes for change in the field. You can shape not just your future in the career, but also the future of HIM.
How to Earn Your RHIA Credentials?
To demonstrate that you’re an expert, you must sit for an exam before you will be a credential holder. Before you can schedule a test date, you need to prove you have gotten the appropriate training through an accredited program that has an accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. You must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Health Information to meet the academic qualifications. This will be verified by the AHIMA.
It is very important to prepare for your exam well in advance so that you can perform the first time around. You should try to:
- take study programs through your school’s department
- look for other opportunities
- review the content covered on the test
If you prepare and apply to take the certification exam as close to graduation as possible, you can use your RHIA certification to land a great job in the perfect setting.