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AHIMA Entry Level Competencies

For Registered Health Information Administrators

                                                           2011 AHIMA Curriculum Competencies

Health Information Management Baccalaureate Degree

I. Domain: Health Data Management

I. A. Subdomain: Health Data Structure, Content and Standards

1. Manage health data (such as data elements, data sets and databases).
2. Ensure that documentation in the health record supports the diagnosis and reflects the patient’s progress, clinical findings and discharge status.

I.B. Subdomain: Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards

1. Develop organization-wide health record documentation guidelines.
2. Maintain organizational compliance with regulations and standards.
3. Ensure organizational survey readiness for accreditation, licensing and/or certification processes.
4. Design and implement clinical documentation initiatives      

I.C. Subdomain: Clinical Classification Systems

1. Select electronic applications for clinical classification and coding.
2. Implement and manage applications and processes for clinical classification and coding.
3. Maintain processes, policies, and procedures to ensure the accuracy of coded data.      

I.D. Subdomain: Reimbursement Methodologies

1. Manage the use of clinical data required in prospective payment systems (PPS) in healthcare delivery.
2. Manage the use of clinical data required in other reimbursement systems in healthcare delivery.
3. Participate in selection and development of applications and processes for charge-master and claims management.
4. Implement and manage processes for compliance and reporting.
5. Participate in revenue cycle management        

II. Domain: Health Statistics, Biomedical Research and Quality Management

II.A. Subdomain: Healthcare Statistics and Research             

1. Analyze and present data for quality management, utilization management, risk management, and other patient care related studies.
2. Utilize statistical software.
3. Ensure adherence to Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and policies.               

II. B. Subdomain: Quality Management and Performance Improvement

1. Provide support for facility-wide quality management and performance improvement programs.         
2. Analyze clinical data to identify trends that demonstrate quality, safety and effectiveness of healthcare.              

III. Domain: Health Services Organization and Delivery

III.A. Subdomain: Healthcare Delivery Systems

1. Evaluate and implement national health information initiatives in the healthcare delivery system for application to information system policies and procedures.
2. Interpret, communicate, and apply current laws, accreditation, licensure and certification standards related to health information initiatives at the national, state, local and facility levels.                
3. Analyze and respond to the information needs of internal and external customers throughout the continuum of healthcare services.
4. Revise policies and procedures to comply with the changing health information regulations.
5. Translate and interpret health information for consumers and their caregivers.                

III.B. Subdomain: Healthcare Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal, and Ethical Issues

1. Coordinate the implementation of legal and regulatory requirements related to the health information infrastructure.
2. Manage access and disclosure of personal health information.
3. Develop and implement organization-wide confidentiality policies and procedures.
4. Develop and implement privacy training programs.                
5. Resolve privacy issues/problems.
6. Apply and promote ethical standards of practice.
7. Define and maintain elements of the legal health record.
8. Establish and maintain e-Discovery guidelines.          

IV. Information Technology and Systems

IV.A. Subdomain: Information and Communication Technologies

1. Implement and manage use of technology; including hardware and software to ensure data collection, storage, analysis and reporting of information.
2. Contribute to the development of networks, including intranet and Internet applications to facilitate the electronic health record (EHR), personal health record (PHR), public health, and other administrative systems.
3. Interpret the derivation and use of standards to achieve interoperability of healthcare information systems.

IV. B. Subdomain: Information Systems

1. Apply knowledge of data base architecture and design (such as data dictionary, data modeling, data warehousing and so on) to meet organizational needs.
2. Monitor use of clinical vocabularies and terminologies used in the organization’s health information systems.
3. Manage clinical indices/databases/registries.
4. Apply appropriate electronic or imaging technology for data/record storage.
5. Apply knowledge of database querying and data mining techniques to facilitate information retrieval.
6. Implement and manage knowledge-based applications to meet end-user information requirements.
7. Design and generate administrative reports using appropriate software.
8. Participate in system selection processes (RFI and RFP).
9. Evaluate and recommend clinical administrative, and specialty service applications ( RFP vender selection, electronic record, clinical coding)
10. Apply appropriate systems life cycle concepts, including systems analysis, design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance to the selection of healthcare information systems.

IV.C. Subdomain: Data Security

1. Protect electronic health information through confidentiality and security measures.
2. Protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology.
3. Implement and monitor department and organizational data and information system security policies.
4. Recommend elements that must be included in the design of audit trails and data quality monitoring programs.

V. Organization and Management

V.A. Subdomain: Human Resources Management

1. Manage human resources to facilitate staff recruitment, retention, and supervision.
2. Ensure compliance with employment laws
3. Develop and implement staff orientation and training programs.
4. Develop productivity standards for health information functions.
5. Monitor staffing levels and productivity and provide feedback to staff regarding performance.
6. Benchmark staff performance data incorporating labor analytics.
7. Apply Quality Management tools.
8. Develop, motivate, and support work teams. 

V.B. Subdomain: Financial and Resource Management

1. Demonstrate knowledge of financial management and accounting principles.
2. Prepare and monitor budgets and contracts.
3. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of cost-benefit analysis techniques to justify resource needs.
4. Manage organization-wide coding and revenue cycle processes.

V. C. Subdomain: Strategic Planning and Organizational Development

1. Apply general principles of management in the administration of health information services.
2. Assign projects and tasks to appropriate staff.
3. Apply project management techniques to ensure efficient workflow and appropriate outcomes.
4. Demonstrate leadership skills.
5. Apply general principles of management in the administration of health information services.
6. Assign projects and tasks to appropriate staff.

V. D. Subdomain: Problem Solving and Leadership

1. Apply project management techniques to ensure efficient workflow and appropriate outcomes.
2. Facilitate project management by integrating work efforts, as well as planning and executing project tasks and activities.