Purpose:The curriculum is designed to provide training in the management of systems to collect, store, process, retrieve, analyze, disseminate, and communicate information related to the research, planning, provision, and evaluation of health care services. It provides students with a unique blend of courses in information technology, business management, and clinical knowledge. Students who possess an interest in studying diseases and therapies but who prefer not to work in a direct patient care setting find this career very rewarding. An interest in using computers to manage data is also important. Health Information Management professionals are experts on patient data that doctors, nurses, and other providers rely on to perform their jobs. Employment opportunities exist in all types of healthcare delivery organizations (hospitals, ambulatory care centers, home health services and long term care facilities) plus managed care, consulting firms, claims and reimbursement companies, and research firms. Graduates of the program are eligible to take a national certifying examination. The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification is recognized nationwide as proof of proficiency in Health Information Management.
Transfer Information:Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program.
Admission Requirements:
Students must:
- Comply with all General Admission Requirements for Allied Health Programs.
- Provide a high school diploma with one unit each of high school level Algebra and Science (preferably Biology.).
- Earn a score of 81 or higher on the reading section of the English placement test, a score of 85 or higher on the writing section of the English placement test.
- Earn a satisfactory score on the Mathematics for Allied Health placement test.
- Provide evidence of good physical and mental health by submitting a physical exam form. The form must be completed before the start of clinical experience.
Special Accreditation Status: The Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), in association with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
1 Students must complete NAS 150 with a “C” or higher.
2 The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 220, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK activities course. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.
3 Humanities/fine arts elective may be selected from the humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.
4 The social science elective may be selected from the social/behavioral sciences courses listed under General Education Electives.