Information and Administration Careers
Identify at least 10 terms related to health care information and administration.
Specify the role of selected information and administrative health care workers, including personal qualities, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.
Identify three personal characteristics needed in an efficient health occupations clerk.
Identify at least five forms used as part of the medical record.
(KUS-tum-ay-ree) Fee charged by similar practitioners for a service in the same economic and geographic area
(IN-si-duhnt) An individual occurrence or event occurring in connection with something else; a reportable variance
(in-SHUR-ins) Payment by contract by one party to another in which the second party guarantees the first party against financial loss from a specific event
(REE-sun-uh-bul) Fee that considers both the usual fee charged by a practitioner for a particular service and the fee charged by other practitioners for the same service
Health Information and Administration Terminology*
| Term | Definition | Prefix | Root | Suffix |
| Abduction | Move away | ab | duc | tion |
| Adduction | Move toward | ad | duc | tion |
| Arthritis | Inflammation of the joint | arthr | itis | |
| Arthrodesis | Fixation of the joint | arthr/o | desis | |
| Cervical | Pertaining to the neck | cervic | al | |
| Hypertrophy | Above normal amount of growth | hyper | troph | y |
| Myelogram | Picture of the bone marrow | myelo | gram | |
| Neuralgia | Painful nerve | neur | algia | |
| Osteopathy | Disease of the bone | osteo | path | y |
| Terminology | Study of words | termin | ology |
*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.
Careers
Even though health care administrators and information personnel often do not have direct contact with the patients, they are of critical importance to the quality of care delivered (Table 33-1). Health care managers need to be organized to work quickly and accurately. Good communication skills are necessary to provide information and leadership in the health care setting. Administrators must be able to form and maintain good working relationships with those in subordinate positions. Although administrators and information personnel may not have direct contact with the patient, they are subject to confidentiality and other Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. More information about these guidelines is found in Chapter 2. With the exception of high-level managers, most health information and administrative service personnel work regular hours. Some examples of careers in administration include health care facility managers, supervisors, medical secretaries, unit coordinators, and medical records (health information) personnel (Box 33-1).
TABLE 33-1
Information and Administration Career Educational Cost and Earnings
| Career | Educational Cost* | Earnings† |
| Registered health information technician (RHIT) | Bishop State Community College, associate degree, 77 credit hoursFees include:Tuition, books, & fees $8393 | Median annual salary: Mobile, Ala.—$28,450 |
Brain Byte
The Joint Commission was formerly called the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
Heath Service Managers
Administrators and managers are necessary in all health care facilities, including clinics, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, home care agencies, private practices, rehabilitation agencies, hospice services, long-term medical day care, and ambulatory care settings. The top executive is often referred to as the chief executive officer (CEO). Administrators develop and expand services with authority given to them by the governing board or agency owner. Administrators manage the facility budget, programs, and personnel. They are responsible for relations with other agencies and organizations.
Brain Byte
An Internal Revenue Service report showed that salaries for CEOs of nonprofit hospitals ranged from $490,000 to $16.4 million in 2006.
Administrators coordinate services, hiring, and training of personnel (Fig. 33-1). Administrators may be responsible for establishing the policies and procedures of the facility. The CEO must demonstrate public relations skills as well as leadership ability. Long, irregular hours are often required for public speaking and travel.
Positions for health managers who have obtained 4-year bachelor’s degrees are available in small institutions, but master- or doctoral-level preparation is preferred for employment in large facilities. Employment opportunities for managers will grow the fastest in residential care facilities and practitioner’s offices and clinics. More than 70 colleges and universities offer accredited master’s programs that specialize in health care administration. Master’s-level preparation is also available in long-term care administration, public health, public administration, or business administration. Other managers may study business, public administration, or human resources administration before becoming employed in the health care industry. An internship is required by many administrative programs, and postgraduate residents and fellows may occupy middle-management positions as part of the educational program. Although regulations vary from state to state, licensing is usually required for administrators of long-term care facilities. Duties of the health care manager may include hiring and coordination of personnel, budget preparation and implementation, and public relations.
Health Careers in Practice
DIRECTOR OF PERINATAL SERVICES (CONSULTANT AND TRANSITIONAL LEADER)
ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, FLORIDA HOSPITAL ALTAMONTE
Nineteen years of education, including college, graduate school, and postgraduate nurse practitioner residency. Professional degrees and certifications include registered nurse certification (RNC), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), and certified nurse administrator advanced (CNAA).
A typical day at work and job duties include
The most gratifying part of my job
Staff and patient and family interactions leading to positive changes in the delivery of quality and satisfying patient care.
The biggest challenge(s) I face in doing my job
As a consultant and transitional leader, I have to “hit the ground running” and experience limitations of time and resources to impact the changes and enhancements I identify as needed in a given work situation.
A strong desire to become involved in people’s lives and impact the quality of their health and well-being in a positive way, most specifically the well-being of mothers and their newborns.
Something I learned in my early education that I currently use in my career or that caused me to be interested in my career is
I learned early in my life that observing and assessing could teach me much about my fellow human beings and allow me to plan an approach that would maximize the achievement of a positive outcome. This practice continues to serve me well in the work I do and the outcomes I am able to achieve.
It is an honor and a privilege to come into a patient’s and his or her family’s life when they are vulnerable and in need of our care and compassion. It is a sacred duty we take on when we provide care and comfort for our patients, and we must protect their trust and faith in us as we strive to provide the highest quality patient care.
Medical staff services personnel are responsible for maintaining the credentialing of all physicians and allied health practitioners in a healthcare facility. They maintain the records of licensing, continuing education, and training. They are responsible for reviewing and implementing federal standards. The National Association of Medical Staff Services awards the Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist.
Patient representatives, or advocates, help patients understand the health care policies and procedures of the facility, obtain services, and make informed decisions about their care. The work of the patient representative is varied on the basis of the needs of the current patients. Some duties might include assisting with the drafting of a living will or resolving a conflict between the facility staff and patient. Hospitals and other facilities set their own requirements for the education and experience background of this individual. Many patient representatives have a master’s degree in a health-related field.
Human resource and labor relations personnel recruit, screen, and hire qualified employees and match them to appropriate jobs. They may also provide training and development opportunities to increase employee satisfaction and decrease turnover. They may interview prospective employees, explain benefits of employment, and supervise background checks before hiring occurs (Box 33-2). In 2004 the Joint Commission mandated that criminal background checks be performed on any person who interacts with patients. This includes staff, students, and volunteers. The Fair Credit Reporting Act defines the guidelines for requesting or requiring background checks. In some cases human resource personnel may act as mediators or arbitrators to resolve employment disputes. The education required for human resources varies with the duties and level of responsibility required. A bachelor’s degree is a typical entry level, but master’s degrees in human resources administration are available. Certification is available for the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, and the Society for Human Resource Management offers two levels of certification for more senior personnel.
BOX 33-2 Health Care Pre-employment or Student Background Check*
Character and personal references
Criminal records/wants and warrants search
Driving records and vehicle registration
Education and employment verification
Incarceration or sex offender records
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