HIPAA Careers

The Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 requires that companies handling sensitive healthcare information meet certain Federal privacy requirements, according to What Is HIPAA's website. In order to meet these HIPAA requirements, the companies covered by HIPAA created many job positions, whether in direct response to HIPAA mandates or for their own sense of security. All HIPAA-related careers require a high ethical standard and the ability to keep certain information confidential.

HIPAA Administrator

• A Certified HIPAA Administrator, also called a CHA, holds responsibility for the regulations and HIPAA-related programs within a company, according to New Horizons Courses. As part of the regulations, a CHA reviews, maintains and changes company written policy on HIPAA procedures, and also watches and reviews the level of HIPAA compliance within the company. In order to become a CHA, according to New Horizons Courses, you must pass the HIO-101 exam.

HIPAA Database Engineer

• HIPAA requires that companies keep certain information private; some of this information is kept in computer databases. Because of the requirement for security in these computer databases, database engineers play a major role in complying with HIPAA requirements. Some engineer positions, such as the IT security consultant position on Career Mag's website, involve working for outsourced companies, traveling, designing and reviewing the software at medical offices and for insurance companies.

Chief Privacy Officer

• HIPAA requires that any HIPAA-covered entity hire a privacy officer. The privacy officer, according to the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, performs many HIPAA-related duties, including creating and distributing the notice of information and notices of privacy practices; recording and maintaining records of notice of privacy practice receipts; processing HIPAA authorization forms; and resolving patient or staff HIPAA-related complaints. In large organizations, the Chief Privacy Officer may exist as the head of the HIPAA department, managing CHAs, other privacy officers and database security personnel.