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Working as a critical link between care providers, payers, and patients, the RHIA:

• Is an expert in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems and medical terminologies.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient information.
• Manages people and operational units, participates in administrative committees, and prepares budgets.
• Interacts with all levels of an organization—clinical, financial, administrative, and information systems—that employ patient data in decision-making and everyday operations.

Job opportunities for RHIAs exist in multiple settings throughout the healthcare industry. These include the continuum of care delivery organizations, including hospitals, multispecialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. The profession has seen significant expansion in nonpatient care settings, with careers in managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies.

Eligibility Requirements

RHIA applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Successfully complete the academic requirements, at the baccalaureate level, of an HIM program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).1

OR

• Graduate from an HIM program approved by a foreign association with which AHIMA has a reciprocity agreement.2

The academic qualifications of each candidate will be verified before a candidate is deemed eligible to take the examination. All first-time applicants must submit an
official transcript from their college or university.3

1. Students interested in obtaining a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Certificate of Completion, or Transfer of Credits information must contact the CAHIIM-accredited program in which they wish to enroll regarding their institutional policies. Please visit the program directory Web site at www.cahiim.org/directory to access the list of CAHIIM-accredited programs.

2. AHIMA and the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) shall permit a graduate of a program in HIM at the associate or baccalaureate degree level to apply to write the appropriate certification examination consistent with the academic level achieved and given independently by the two associations. The graduate must meet the educational competencies for certification as a technician or administrator established by the association to which the application is made.

3. Beginning October 6, 2008, students in CAHIIM-accredited programs for RHIT or RHIA, enrolled in their final term of study, are now eligible to apply for and take their respective certification exam early.
Eligible students include the following:

• Students currently enrolled and in their last term of study
• Students who have completed their course work but have not yet graduated
• Graduates who are currently waiting for their official transcripts