Health Information Management Associate Degree

The health information technician is the professional responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirement of the health care delivery system. In all types of facilities, and in various locations within a facility, the health information technician possesses the technical knowledge and skills necessary to process, maintain, compile, and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality management and research; abstract and code clinical data using appropriate classification systems; and analyze health records according to standards. The health information technician may be responsible for functional supervision of the various components of the health information system.

 

Accreditation

The Associate Degree Health Information Management Program at Western Kentucky University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (www.cahiim.org)

Graduate Outcomes Data: Graduate and Employer HIM Program Satisfaction Rates-100% (Based on results of CAHIIM mandated surveys conducted in 2011.)*

*Compliance with 2012 CAHIIM Standard for Accreditation VI.30

 

 

Career Opportunities

The majority of Registered Health Information Technicians (RHITs) are employed in health information departments in a variety of settings. With expanding uses of healthcare information, RHITs are finding opportunities for employment in hospitals, industrial clinics, state and federal health agencies, private industry, long term and mental health care facilities.

 

Professional Credentials

Graduates of the associate degree program are eligible to take the American Health Information Association examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Graduates are also eligible to take the following AHIMA coding examinations: Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Coding Specialist- Physician-based (CCS-P). Graduates may also take the following examinations offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders: Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Coder- Outpatient Hospital (CPC-H), and Certified Professional Coder- Payer (CPC-P).