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2001-2002 Catalog
Health Care
Health Information Management (2277)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

MISSION STATEMENT: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health-care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

THE CAREER: Health information management represents a continuum of practice concerned with health related information and the management of systems to collect, store, process, retrieve, analyze, disseminate and communicate information related to the research, planning, provision, financing and evaluation of health care services.

Graduates of this program are known as health information technicians. Entry-level health information technicians may be employed in a variety of settings, and they may assume a variety of job titles depending upon their education, work experience and place of employment. Some of the common job titles include: coder, supervisor and medical record technician. Opportunities for practice include physician’s office settings, long-term care facilities, home healthcare agencies, ambulatory settings, federal healthcare agencies, behavioral healthcare organizations, insurance companies and acute care hospitals.

For additional information about the health information management profession, call or write:

American Health Information Management Association
233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150
Chicago, IL 60601-5519
(312) 233-1090
THE PROGRAM: The health information management program is a combination of general education and professional courses including lecture, laboratory and clinical education components. Graduates of the program are prepared to function as entry-level practitioners. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate in science degree. Graduates are then eligible to take the national examination in order to become a registered health information technician. The health information management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Council on Accreditation of AHIMA.

Admission to this program is limited and is based on completion of specific prerequisite courses (see application procedure below) with a grade of "C" or better. One class of 20 is admitted each fall term. Applications to the program must be received by June 15 each year. Students may find it difficult to work during the professional phase of the program due to clinical demands. Students may not take the responsibility of qualified staff. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to undertake certain defined activities with appropriate supervision and direction. Students may be employed in the field of study outside regular educational hours paid and subject to standard employer policies.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
  1. Applicants must have a valid FCCJ student number
  2. They must complete, with a "C" or higher BSC 2085C, BSC 2086C, MAC 1105 and ENC 1101
  3. Applicants must have CPTS (College Placement Test Scores)
  4. They must submit completed program application by the deadline
Students will be ranked on the quality points earned in the four courses listed in number two above. Students who verify work experience in health information management will earn two points per year, up to a maximum of six points. In the event of a tie, the college placement test scores (English, reading and elementary algebra) will be used as a tie-breaker.

The top 20 ranked students will be notified by mail of acceptance. Those not responding to the letter will be replaced by students on the waiting list.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

NOTE: Students have two degree alternatives in this program: The associate in science (A.S.) and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.). If you intend to pursue further education at the university level, you should enroll in the A.S. option. If you intend to go directly to work after completing your associate’s degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the transfer benefits of the A.S., the A.A.S. will provide you with the skills required to begin working in the field immediately upon graduation. If you are unsure of which option is best for you, please see an advisor for further counseling.

Required Courses

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.
Course Number and Title
Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I
3
BSC 2085C Anatomy and Physiology I
4
HSC 1531 Medical Terminology
3
CGS 1060 Introduction to Computer Concepts
3
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4
CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications
3
MAC 1105 College Algebra
3
OR
MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra (4 cr.)
Humanities
3
OST 1581 Professional Development in the Work Environment
3
HIM 1000 Health Information I
4
HIM 1430 Concepts of Disease
3
HIM 2012 Health Law
3
HIM 1222 ICD-9 Coding Principles
4
HIM 1800 Health Information Practicum I
2
HIM 2620 Health Information Management II
3
HIM 2283 CPT-4 Coding and Reimbursement Issues
4
SOP 1002 Human Relations
3
OR
SOP 1502 Dynamics of Behavior
HIM 2810 Health Information Practicum II
2
HIM 2304 Health Information Management III
3
HIM 2260C Advanced Coding with Medical Computer Program and Lab
3
HIM 2820 Health Information Practicum III
3
**General Electives
1
Total Credit Hours
67

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Refer to A.S. degree General Electives.

NOTE: Students earning an A.S. degree must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics course. Students earning an A.A.S. degree must take MAT 1033 or a higher level mathematics course.