Introduction to Health Information Management Program
Successful coders are
- detail oriented,
- enjoy human anatomy
and physiology,
- pathology, and
- possess analytical skills.
Successful Health Information Management job candidates must possess
- computer proficiency and
- business attributes
such as
- vision and
- the ability to manage people, projects,
and teams.
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Program
Summary
The need for skilled personnel in this field has grown
significantly with the expanding need for the management
of health information. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates
that employment is expected to grow faster than average
with good prospects for technicians with a strong coding
background. additionally, employment is expected to increase
by 18% by 2016. The mean annual wage for HIM professionals
is between $32,350.
Purpose: The Health Information Management
program prepares students to become Registered Health Information
Technicians upon completing the program and passing the
national accreditation examination.
The RHIT exam cost is the responsibility of the student.
Degree: Graduates earn an Associate of
Applied Science degree. They are eligible to take the national
examination given by the American Health Information Management
Association to become a Registered Health Information Technician.
Curriculum: Students must complete 72 credit hours and are strongly encouraged to take as many of the general
education courses listed in the curriculum prior to taking HIM courses. Prerequisites for program admission
include: high school graduation or GED, BIO 141, ENG 111, and successful completion of MTE 5 or higher.
Courses: The Health Information Management
program provides classroom and laboratory instruction.
The classroom includes
state-of-the-art instructional technology to include a
sympodium, Internet access, and videoconferencing capabilities.
Courses include a combination of traditional and web-based
instruction for student convenience. The program
offers practical experience in record management, computer
proficiency, systems analysis, data processing and management,
quality assurance, medical terminology, budgeting, and
personnel management. Other areas covered include coding
diagnoses and procedures, legislation and accreditation
requirements, and human anatomy and physiology. Students
earn practical experience during 240 hours of required
internships in a variety of settings. These internships occur Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00. They are NOT offered in the evenings or on weekends.
Skills: Skills gained through the program
curriculum include, but are not limited to, the following:
- compiling,
organizing, and analyzing patient information through
manual and computerized applications
- classifying clinical information for future retrieval
and research
- releasing patient information in compliance with state
and federal laws
- using quality improvement methodologies to monitor
information and clinical practices
- compiling databases, analyzing data, and report writing
- designing and managing information systems
- working
toward a computerized patient record
Accreditation: The
Health Information Management Program is fully accredited
by the The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics
and Information Management
Education (CAHIIM).
Note: Prospective students are hereby
notified that a criminal/sex offender background
check by certifiedbackground.com is required. The cost of the background
check is the responsibility of the
student. A health history and physical to include immunization records must be completed in
the first semester of the program.
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Career Opportunities
The need for skilled personnel in the field has grown
significantly with the expanding needs for information.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment is expected to grow faster than average for HIM Professionals. The mean annual wage for HIM Professionals is $32,350.
AHIMA:
American Health Information Management Association
Occupational
Outlook Handbook: Health Information Technicians
Admissions
Process
The following steps must be completed as soon as possible.
1. Obtain a new Student Information Packet available
at the Virginia Beach Admissions Center
(757-822-7172), the Counseling office (757-822-7211), or TCC
Information Center (757-822-1122).
2. Complete and return an Application
for Admission to Tidewater Community College to the TCC Virginia Beach Campus Admissions Center in the Princess
Anne Building, Room A-111.
3. Attend the Health Information Management Open
House held on the third Thursday of each month from 1:00
p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Regional Health Professions Center, Room MN 312, 3rd Floor.
5. Take the TCC English and math placement tests if required.
It is recommended you take them as soon as possible to
allow adequate time to take any developmental courses required
prior to taking any HIM courses. Consult the Counseling
Center for information concerning your need to take these
tests and for times given.
6. Submit a Health Professions Application form for the Health Information Management Program to
Amy Shay, or mail to Amy Shay, Health
Professions Division, Tidewater Community College, 1700
College Crescent,
Virginia Beach, VA 23453 or complete the application
on-line. Application deadline is May 15th annually
for the fall semester. If you are not selected and wish to be considered for the following year, you must submit another application.
NOTE: Students who voluntarily withdraw from the program are not eligible for readmission.
7. Have official college transcripts sent directly to
Tidewater Community College, Central Records/Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509-9000 from the appropriate
institution's registrar. Student copies are not acceptable.
Missing transcripts are the greatest cause of delay in
the application process and are the applicant's responsibility.
Any college course work transferred to TCC requires a transcript
evaluation.
8. In conjunction with requesting transcripts as noted
above, you must also submit an on-line Request for Evaluation
of Previous Higher
Educational
Experiences
to the Central Records Office. The website address is: www.tcc.edu/secure/forms/evaluationrequest.php
9. Enroll in prerequisite courses as required by the
program.
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Questions?
Health Information Management
Open House
- Third Thursday of each month
- Regional Health Professions Center, Room MN 312, 3rd Floor
- 1:00 p.m.
- 2:00 p.m.
- The program director will be available to answer any questions.
TCC Information Center: 757-822.1122
Financial Aid Office: 757-822-7292 - website
Veterans Affairs
Office: 757-822-7235 - website
Counseling Center: 757-822-7212 - website
Amy Shay ,
Program Director, BS, RHIT
Disclaimer
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