HEALTH INFORMATION SPECIALIST SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: May 6, 2025 - The Health Information Specialist ensures accurate management of patient data through expertise in medical terminology, electronic health records, and healthcare compliance. This role requires strong knowledge of HIPAA regulations, state and federal standards, and the ability to review specialized records such as oncology and pediatric documentation. The specialist also demands excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills to support collaboration across internal teams and external partners.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Health Information Specialist Resume
  • Record Management
  • Data Entry
  • Compliance Reporting
  • Medical Retrieval
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Billing Support
  • Scanning Accuracy
  • Audit Reporting
  • Quality Tracking
  • Form Preparation
  • Team Collaboration
  • Customer Service
  • Problem Solving
  • Physician Coordination
  • Client Communication
  • Policy Support
  • Privacy Support
  • External Communication
  • Communication Skills
  • Staff Training

Summary of Health Information Specialist Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Health Information Management with 5 years of Experience

  • Completion of some health information management courses, including medical terminology, computer technology, and business-related courses
  • Working experience in a general office 
  • Experience in the Release of Information
  • Experience in a Health Information Department 
  • Experience in a large health care facility
  • Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience with Microsoft Office applications
  • Working experience in Health Care, Insurance, or Administrative Support 
  • Experience in a clinical or Health Information Management Department of a large health care facility
  • Strong knowledge of indices and filing systems to file, store, and retrieve information from paper and electronic record systems
  • Ability to examine the record and verify patient identification
  • Ability to examine a document and determine its proper placement within the paper or electronic record
  • Skill in operating office machinery with speed and accuracy
  • Ability in the area of effective communication and interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers
  • Demonstrates appropriate understanding of working with confidential material and situations

2. BA in Public Health with 6 years of Experience

  • Must have Certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator or Registered Health Information Technician 
  • Proficient in the use of a computer, including 10-key data entry, data entry and office automation applications
  • Ability to operate and maintain office equipment (e.g., scanner, fax, copier, printer, microfiche reader)
  • Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to problem solve and deal with difficult situations or customers by using tact, judgment and professionalism
  • Ability to work in a team-oriented atmosphere with minimal supervision and to exercise judgment to complete assigned workload, team goals, and handle multiple demands and priorities
  • Ability to independently determine correct options, troubleshoot and resolve issues when creating the legal electronic medical record by analyzing and interpreting data based on knowledge and HIM policy and procedures
  • Demonstrates a basic knowledge of HIM department functions and operations, and its interaction with and functions of the Patient Registration, Patient Accounting, the Medical Staff, Patient Care Services and other hospital departments
  • Strong knowledge of medical terminology
  • Experience working in a healthcare environment
  • Ability to understand and assimilate new information quickly
  • Experience utilizing coding/grouping software with emphasis on outpatient principles
  • Experience in the use of computer systems and office automation applications
  • Prior experience in an office setting or formal secretarial training, including computer experience

3. BA in Healthcare Administration with 4 years of Experience

  • Prior administrative or health information management experience in a medical setting 
  • Working knowledge and understanding of HIPAA Privacy Rules and Regulations
  • Demonstrated experience with filing systems
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Administrative experience in an inpatient MENTAL HEALTH medical facility
  • Experience with maintaining/auditing medical records
  • Experience with the release of information
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures specific to patient rights, HIPAA, and Florida medical records release of information statutes and regulations
  • Excellent computer skills and can learn multiple software systems
  • Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and be a self-motivated individual
  • Must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
  • Must have CPC, CCS, RHIT, or RHIA certification

4. BA in Medical Records Administration with 8 years of Experience

  • Professional experience in a hospital or medical office setting
  • Experience reviewing and/or identifying Oncology and/or Pediatric records
  • Experience with the electronic health record, health information systems and healthcare applications
  • Experience with regulations and accreditation standards, knowledge of specific state and federal requirements and standards related to the management of health information
  • Expertise in healthcare compliance and knowledge of privacy and security regulations, confidentiality, laws, access and release of information practices
  • Expertise in health information management, best practices, processes and procedures
  • Deep knowledge of medical terminology, classification systems, and vocabularies
  • Demonstrates leadership skills and exercises judgment within generally defined practices and policies when selecting methods and techniques in problem solving
  • Experience in Health Information Management or a combination of experience in Healthcare Information Management and Utilization Management
  • Ability to work with various internal and external customers to exchange information or explain MC policies and procedures, rules, regulations, and pertinent laws
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient registration and patient accounting processes
  • Demonstrates knowledge of the release of information processes by HIPAA and maintains patient confidentiality
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Comfortable with the pressure of deadline-focused work, and also have the self-discipline to create and adhere to self-imposed

5. BA in Health Science with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in healthcare or computer science
  • Experience in quality analysis or audits
  • Ability to navigate and work within multiple computer software programs
  • Ability to learn medical terminology
  • Ability to enter data at an acceptable level of speed and accuracy and to operate a computer using Mainframe, Solcom, ProTouch, Cerner, and EMON
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail to detect missing and/or incorrect information in the medical record 
  • Ability to maintain production standards as set forth by the HIM Operational Manager
  • Organized and able to multitask responsibilities
  • Customer Service oriented, works closely with facility PAT/OR and provider/PCP office staff
  • Execute job duties to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency
  • Consistently, accurately, and completely perform all job responsibilities
  • Knowledge and organizational ability to review medical records for completeness by following BMC/HIS guidelines
  • Ability to organize work, collaborate with team members, set priorities to complete assigned workload, team goals, and handle multiple demands
  • Experience in DAD and NACRS coding using ICD-10-CA-CCI
  • In-depth knowledge of CIHI’s Coding Standards
  • Understanding of PHIPA and rules regarding releasing personal health information

6. BA in Health Information Technology with 2 years of Experience

  • Previous experience in a medical setting
  • Experience with the MED2020 abstracting system
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  • Thorough knowledge of clinical data, including standards (ex., HL7) and specifications
  • Familiarity with the healthcare payer industry and knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare
  • Extensive understanding of business analysis principles, process, and applications/elicitation tools used for managing requirements
  • Deep understanding of a project lifecycle, including processes, techniques and tools
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to establish effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and within a team environment
  • Ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams
  • Extensive experience working on multiple projects
  • Effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail
  • Time management skills, ability to develop, prioritize and accomplish goals with a sense of urgency
  • Ability to multitask and remain flexible during organizational and/or business changes
Relevant Information
Behavioral Health Specialist Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements
Environmental Health Specialist Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements