Health Information Management
Health Information Management
Associate of Applied Science in Health Science
- Overview
Health Information Management Overview
Every time health care personnel encounter a patient, they record what they observed, treatment implemented, and patient outcomes. In today’s technology world, this information is maintained electronically in healthcare information systems. The Health Information Manager is a vital member of the healthcare team and is responsible for managing these systems where the expanding arena of healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology. They are vital to the daily operation of health information and electronic health records. HIM professionals ensure that healthcare staff have the right information when and where it is needed while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and security. This growing career includes the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing good quality patient care.
Health information management is a combination of medicine, management, finance, information technology and law. As a result, HIM graduates can choose to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Health Information Management professionals are trained in the latest information management technology applications and understand the workflow process. HIM duties can include operating computer information systems, coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement, maintaining quality control of health records, and more in accordance with strict state and federal laws.
HIM professionals have a flexible, focused skill set which incorporates clinical, information technology, leadership, and management skills. They use their knowledge of information technology and records management to form a link between clinicians, administrators, technology designers, and information technology professionals.
Changing regulations and technologies allow the HIM professional to be involved in lifelong learning and continued professional development. As a result, HIM professionals can expect to be in high demand. There is increased demand for health information professionals in academic institutions, consulting and governmental agencies, and healthcare software companies. As HIM becomes more prevalent, health information management professionals will continue to be a critical component of the electronic health record workforce.
The AAS Health Information program in Newport News and Richmond, Virginia is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
This is a programmatic accreditation by CAHIIM, a specialized accrediting agency for health informatics and health information management educational program. For more information, visit http://www.cahiim.org
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
233 N Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
Telephone: 312.233.1100- Program Description
Medical Careers Institute’s faculty members have worked extensively in the Health Information Management field, and understand the “real-world” applications for the material they teach. It’s their goal to ensure that you can demonstrate fundamental knowledge in such core areas as:
- Clinical work flow
- Information systems
- Information policy
- Health data management
- Administration
What’s more, graduates can be prepared to take national certification examinations.
- Possible Career Track
Upon completion, graduates with an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science with a concentration in Health Information Management could possibly pursue a career in multiple healthcare settings including:
- Private Practice
- HMO/Insurance/Managed Care Facilities
- Hospitals
- Primary Care Clinics
- Intermediate- and Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation
- Cancer Registry
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospices
- Military and Industry
- Home Healthcare
- Curriculum
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
50 semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits HIM100 Electronic Health Records 3 HIM200 Health Information Technology I 3 HIM205 Pathophysiology 3 HIM210 Pharmacology 3 HIM215 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Information Management 3 HIM230 Clinical Classification Systems I 3 HIM235 Clinical Classification Systems II 3 HIM240 Clinical Classification Systems 1B 3 HIM245 Healthcare Delivery Systems 3 HIM250 Reimbursement Methodologies 3 HIM260 Healthcare Statistics 3 HIM271 Clinical Classification Systems III 1 HIM280 Quality Assessment and Improvement 3 HIM290 Introduction to Management 3 HIM295 National Exam Preparation 3 HIM297 Health Information Management Externship 4 MED104 Medical Terminology 3 Arts and Sciences
21 semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits BIO101 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 BIO104 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 COM115 Principles of Communication 3 ENG110 College Composition 3 HUM205 Culture and Diversity 3 MTH131 College Algebra 3 PSY105 Introduction to Psychology 3 Self-Integration and Computer Literacy
7 semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits COR191 Career Orientation 1 FOR110 Essentials for Success 3 CIS115 Computer Applications 3 - Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in health data management, information policy, information systems, administration and clinical work flow.
- Demonstrate skills necessary to operations management that will ensure an adequate and complete medical record and cost effective information processing.
- Distinguish the legal and ethical standards of practice for health information management, including HIPAA, in a variety of health care settings and situations.
- Function as a bridge between clinicians, payers, regulators, patients, consumers, and technology.
- Demonstrate skills that are critical to adherence and promotion of continuous quality improvement, regulatory requirements, and the revenue cycle processes.
- Ensure the availability of accurate health data through the application of current and future healthcare technologies including the electronic medical record, electronic health records, integration of healthcare technologies within healthcare systems, and wireless and internet applications.
- Function as part of a team that includes not only health information management technicians, but also clinicians and customers, in a variety of settings.
- Perform in the role of health information management technician by applying skills, values, and knowledge from the coursework to professional practice experiences.
The following are the employment, retention, and certification exam pass rates as reported to the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) for the August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017 period.
Campus Location Employment Rate Retention Rate Certification Exam Pass Rate Newport News 53% 78% 5 of 7 testers = 71% Richmond 100% 67% 3 of 12 tester = 25% The HIM program at Newport News and Richmond campuses both have a 100% Employer Satisfaction Rate.
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program can be found by clicking here.
- Program Guide
Download Program Guide (98.67 KB)
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