Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science

Health Information Management (2277)

This is a limited access program.

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 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, call, write or e-mail:

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
233 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 2150
Chicago, IL 60601-5519
312.233.1090
www.ahima.org
info@ahima.org

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

Cost
Estimated tuition is $4,250 (for Florida residents as of 7/05). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).

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-CM 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	3
HIM 2260C	Advanced Coding and Classification	3
HIM 2810	Professional Practice Experience II	2
HIM 2500	Quality Management	2
HIM 2304	Suprevision and Organizational Life	3
HIM 2820	Professional Practice Experience III	2
	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.

The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline. Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.