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 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 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. The HIM Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIM).

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.

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.

Articulation

This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, please visit the Transfer Services Web site.

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 $4,449 (for Florida residents as of 7/07). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).

Prerequisites

Prior to being admitted to the program, an applicant must complete the following courses:

BSC 2085C	Human Anatomy and Physiology I
ENC 1101	English Composition I
MAT 1033	Intermediate Algebra
or MAC 1105	College Algebra
CGS 1570	Microcomputer Applications

Application Procedure

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Health Information Management program, students must submit a completed HIM program application.

Curriculum

Course Number and Title		Credits
General Education
ENC 1101	English Composition I	3
BSC 2085C	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
	*Mathematics	3
	*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 1100	Microcomputer Applications for Business and Economics	3
OST 1581	Professional Development in the Work Environment	3
HIM 1300	Health Care Delivery Systems	2
HIM 1435	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.
***CGS 1570 may be substituted for CGS 1100.

Note

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.

Record of Conviction of a Crime

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.

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