Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science

Health Information Management (2277)

THIS IS A LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAM.

THE CAREER: Health information management is concerned with 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. 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 health care agencies, ambulatory settings, federal health care agencies, behavioral health care organizations, insurance companies and acute care hospitals.

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 as entry-level practitioners. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate in science or associate in applied science degree. Graduates are then eligible to take the national examination to become a registered health information technician.

For additional information about the health information management profession, see the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) web site, or write to them at 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60601-5519, 312.233.1090.

Expected Job Growth: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of HIM professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average through 2008.

Salary: National average is $30,000 - $40,000 annually.

Certification and Licensing
Upon completion of this program, graduates must successfully complete an AHIMA certification exam. A credential validates your competence as an HIM professional to employers and the public. A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential requires an associate's degree and successful performance on the RHIT certification exam.

Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Council on Accreditation of AHIMA, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150; Chicago, IL 60601-5800 (321.233.1100). You can also e-mail the AHIMA at info@ahima.org.

Application Procedure

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. Admission to this program is limited and is based on completion of specific prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. Courses are offered both days and evenings. All program prerequisites, and some HIM classes, are available online.

Applicants must:

1. Be accepted for admission to Florida Community College, be currently enrolled or a former student.
2. Complete, with a C or better: BSC 2085C, MAT 1033 or MAC 1105, CGS 1570 and ENC 1101.
3. Have their College Placement Test (CPT) scores.
4. Submit complete HIM program application by the June 15 deadline.

Students will be ranked on the quality points earned in the four courses listed in step 2 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. A physical exam will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Curriculum

General Education Courses
ENC 1101 English Composition I (3)
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
MAC 1105 College Algebra (3)
  or MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra (4)
*Humanities (3)
SOP 1002 Human Relations (3)

Credit hours: 16

Professional Courses
HSC 1531 Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) (3)
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications (3)
OST 1581 Professional Development in the Work Environment (3)
HIM 1300 Health Care Delivery Systems (2)
HIM 1433 Pathophysiology I (2)
HIM 1110 Health Data Concepts (2)
HIM 1260 Health Insurance Billing (2)
HIM 1224 ICD 9-CDM Coding and Lab (3)
HIM 1436 Pathophysiology II (2)
HIM 1800 Professional Practice Experience I (2)
HIM 2012 Health Law (3)
HIM 1253 CPT-4 Coding and Lab (3)
HIM 2211 Information Systems for Health Information Management (2)
HIM 2214 Health Data Management (2)
HIM 2260C Advanced Coding and Classification (3)
HIM 2810 Professional Practice Experience II (2)
HIM 2500 Quality Management (2)
HIM 2304 Supervision and Organizational Life (3)
HIM 2820 Professional Practice Experience III (3)

Credit hours: 51

Total Credit Hours: 67

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

Notes
You have two options in this program: the associate in science (A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics. The A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher. Please see an advisor to determine the option that is best for you.

Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Cost
Estimated tuition is $4,050 (for Florida residents as of 7/04). Estimated cost of books, materials, and fees is $450.