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Health Information (Medical Records) Management is the science of managing and designing health information systems. The Health Information Management associate degree program will prepare the student to perform information management services that directly impact the quality of patient care. These functions include organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating health information; compiling various administrative and health statistics; coding diseases, operations, procedures and therapies; maintaining and using health information indexes; creating disease data registries; facilitating storage and retrieval of health data; utilizing computerized health data; and controlling the use and release of health information. Graduates of the program may find employment in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, nursing homes, physician’s offices, home health care, insurance companies, and health departments in various roles from technical support to supervision of day-to-day operations of the health information department. Health Information Management program graduates are eligible to apply to take the national qualifying examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). See the Undergraduate Catalog for detailed degree requirements.

 

 

More About Health Information Management >
Health Information Management is an associate degree program that prepares students to support the information needs of the healthcare industry. As one of the fastest growing occupations in one of the fastest growing industries, an HIM career places you right where the expanding arena of healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology.

 

HIM professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting, and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality healthcare. They are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients.

Health Information Management professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry.

• Hospitals
• Same day surgery centers
• Physician offices
• Clinics
• Long term care facilities
• Home health care providers
• Insurance companies
• Government agencies
• Healthcare outsource services providers

HIM graduates enjoy a broad selection of job titles and options for professional growth. Job opportunities include:

• Coding Specialist
• Health Data Analyst
• Health Information Specialist
• Clinical Coder
• Patient Information Coordinator
• HIM Manager
• Insurance Claims Specialist

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Health Information Management professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations - 27% or more through 2014. In addition to strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await HIM graduates. The average salary for a coder with an RHIT credential is $43,094. New HIM graduates with an associate degree can earn $25,000 to $30,000 annually.

Hodges University’s HIM program graduates have enjoyed strong job placement.  Many were hired while on their internships. Graduates are employed at healthcare facilities throughout Southwest Florida, as well as across the country. Many HIM alumni have been recognized at the local, state, and national levels for their contributions to the field of Health Information Management.

The Health Information Management program at Hodges University is the currently the only Health Information Management program in the Southwest region of Florida that 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). The HIM program at Hodges University is available 100% online.  Graduates of our HIM program are eligible to take the national certification examination for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) from AHIMA.  Student success in obtaining certification is reported in the Annual Outcomes Assessment Results.