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 system, 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 HIM Program Satisfaction Rates-100% (Based on results of CAHIIM mandated surveys conducted in 2015.)*

*Compliance with 2012 CAHIIM Standard for Accreditation VI.30

 

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).

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. Visit AHIMA's Career Map for additional information on job titles, descriptions, salaries, and career pathways.

 

Health Information Management Baccalaureate Degree

Health information management (HIM) is a diverse yet evolving field that incorporates medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law into one dynamic career path.  The HIM baccalaureate degree program prepares the graduate HIM professional with the skills and competencies in health data management, information policy, administering computer information systems and administrative and clinical work flow.  Students will focus on the management of information, people and operational units, participation in administrative committees, preparation of budgets and administration of computerized health information systems.

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate 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: Employer B.S. HIM Program Satisfaction Rates-100% (Based on results of CAHIIM mandated surveys conducted in 2015.)*

*Compliance with 2012 CAHIIM Standard for Accreditation VI.30

 

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities for baccalaureate degree graduates exist in multiple settings throughout the healthcare industry. These organizations include hospitals, multi-specialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. The profession has seen significant expansion in non-patient care settings, with careers in managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies. Visit AHIMA's Career Map for additional information on job titles, descriptions, salaries, and career pathways.

 

Transfer Students

Since acceptance of transfer credit for a particular major is subject to approval by the appropriate academic department, the HIM program director is responsible for the determination of transfer credit of HIM courses.  Any HIM course considered for transfer credit must have been completed through a CAHIIM accredited program.  The student will be required to provide a description and syllabus for each course; the transferring institution may be contacted for additional information.  Credit may be given for each approved equivalent course as long as the University minimum residence requirement for the baccalaureate degree is maintained.