Health Information Manager

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Health Information Manager. A Health Information Managers effectively manage all the non-clinical components within a healthcare environment in order to support the business elements of the clinical practice and manage the relevant risks associated with the administration of the healthcare facility and service. A qualified learner will be able to: • Compile and maintain patient files and records and ensure the safekeeping and controlled use of the patient information in order to facilitate effective treatment, care and utilisation of medical benefits within legislative requirements. • Coordinate and manage the patients and health care facilities in order to optimise patient well-being and reduce operational risks. • Coordinate healthcare facility and service operations in order to ensure smooth and efficient daily operations. • Prepare budgets and basic accounts in order to manage the cash flow for the healthcare facility. • Coordinate and manage the human and other resources of the healthcare facility in order to optimise efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare facility. • Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies in order to sustain and enhance an organisation in the healthcare environment.

One of the core enabling milestones of the South African National Development Plan 2030 is to provide affordable access to quality healthcare whilst promoting health and wellbeing at all levels in our society. Chapter 10 of the National Development Plan is devoted to the promotion of health. Two of the key focus points in that chapter refer to ensuring effective governance within the health sector and collaboration for the phased introduction of the National Health Insurance scheme. Healthcare, worldwide, is evolving at a significant pace, the demand for healthcare is increasing as technology enables more healthcare options and as people gain access to information that raises their expectations and needs for healthcare. In developing societies this is exasperated by the fact that development cannot take place if the total population does not have access to quality healthcare. South Africa is also situated strategically within Africa and more and more do we see that healthcare is becoming an export product for the country. A major challenge in the South African and global context, is the collaboration between public and private sector healthcare providers. Traditionally, the administrative roles within the private healthcare system have been executed by healthcare professionals on a part time basis or by general administrative workers under the direct supervision of healthcare professionals. The organisational and legal environment is making this increasingly difficult. All healthcare services are subject to regulatory review and the administrative burden is growing significantly. The healthcare funding landscape has also evolved to a level where dedicated experts are required to facilitate access to the various funders and to ensure that the correct billing and coding practices are applied. Patients have become clients, and the host of related stakeholders involved in the healthcare environment is making it an extreme administrative challenge. In order to deal with the demands as stated above it is an opportune time that we, in South Africa establish appropriate qualifications that will offer opportunities for learners to enter this dynamic career field. The qualifications should enable healthcare professionals to grow into the healthcare administration field and it should also enable non-professionals to take up this career option. The Occupational Certificate: Health Information Manager is tailor made to meet the needs of the evolving healthcare industry in South Africa. It is totally aligned to global leading practices and it will serve as a basis for job creation and career progression. It is anticipated that a significant number of new jobs will be created in this field over the next five years. There are currently at least 200 000 healthcare professionals registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) alone, not to mention medical scheme administrators, public and private healthcare facilities, billing houses and other third party payers and funders. The need for healthcare services in South Africa, and globally is growing continuously and with this the related need for proficient healthcare administration support. The successful implementation of the National Health Insurance initiative will require increased healthcare administration. This qualification will also be used by staff who are in current positions in the various healthcare facilities. The target groups to take up this qualification would be people within the private sector and public sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 4 with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

• Compile and maintain patient files and records and ensure the safekeeping and controlled use of the patient information in order to facilitate effective treatment, care and utilisation of medical benefits within legislative requirements.
• Coordinate and manage the patients and health care facilities in order to optimise patient well-being and reduce operational risks.
• Coordinate and manage the coding processes within a healthcare facility.
• Prepare budgets and basic accounts in order to manage the cash flow for the healthcare facility.
• Coordinate and manage the human and other resources of the healthcare facility in order to optimise efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare facility.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies in order to sustain and enhance an organisation in the healthcare environment.