The RHIA exam, or the Registered Health Information Administration exam, is a test that determines whether a person is able to handle the management of patient medical records in a job position. Employment in this industry is expected to climb by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Average health information administrator salaries at the time of publication were $59,000, reports SimplyHired.com. To be eligible to take the RHIA exam, an individual must have completed a four-year bachelor's degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The RHIA exam, which takes about four hours to complete, features 180 questions.
Search for programs that offer preparation courses for the RHIA exam, such as the Ohio Health Information Management Association, which offers a test preparation course that is completely online. Also, consider contacting Mometrix Media, which offers a study guide that reveals secrets to acing the RHIA test (see Resources).
In addition, purchase the "Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Exam Preparation" review guide by Patricia Shaw, et al. The guide should come with a CD containing practice exams you can score yourself, extra practice questions, answers with cited explanations and even electronic flashcards (see Resources).
Go over other educational books that will prepare you for the RHIA exam, such as "Health Information Management: Concepts, Principles and Practices" by K. LaTour, et al. Also, consider studying "Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Health Information Management" by Melanie Brodnik, et al. (see Resources).
Contact the RHIA to find out more information about its practice exam, which is available on its website (see Resources). Be prepared to answer 100 questions in all of the RHIA exam's six domain areas, for a fee. Secure a computer with high-speed Internet to complete the exam online and receive a score report that breaks down your success in each of the test's six content areas.
Spend most of your study time going over developing plans for health information management at a facility, performing human resources tasks, managing budgets, leading meetings and preparing for accreditation. These concepts make up 30 percent of the exam---a majority of the test.
Go over the exam's other domain concepts, which include making sure health data is accurate and ensuring coding is in compliance with established regulations. Also, study the maintenance of industry databases and the proper steps to fixing healthcare security problems.
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YaShekia King, of Indianapolis, began writing professionally in 2003. Her work has appeared in several publications including the "South Bend Tribune" and "Clouds Across the Stars," an international book. She also is a licensed Realtor and clinical certified dental assistant. King holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ball State University.