Health Information Management (2277)
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.
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.
For additional information about the health information management profession, call, write or e–mail:
American Health Information Management Association, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60601–5519, 312.233.1090.
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.
Admission to this program is limited and is based on completion of specific prerequisite courses (see application procedure) with a grade of “C” or better. 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.
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.
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.
This A.S. degree articulates into a four–year program with the University of North Florida and Nova Southeastern University. See more information on articulation.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Council on Accreditation of AHIMA.
Estimated tuition is $4,449 (for Florida residents as of 7/06). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).
Prior to being admitted to the program, an applicant must complete BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I, ENC 1101 English Composition I, MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra or MAC 1105 and CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications.
To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Health Information Management program, students must submit a completed HIM program application.
| 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 cr.) |
|
| |
*Humanities |
3 |
| INP 1390 |
Human Relations in Business and Industry |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
16 |
| Required 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 2280C |
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 |
2 |
| |
Credit Hours |
51 |
Total Credit Hours: 67
*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Refer to A.S. degree General Electives.
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.
Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. 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.
A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.
