Description
The Health Information Management Associate of Applied Science prepares students in technical coursework, human relations, communications, mathematics, and computer technology.
At the end of six academic quarters (approximately two years), students earn the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management. Students are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician national credential examination upon completion.
Health information technicians collect, analyze, code, manage, and maintain patient information. Health information technicians must be highly organized and detail oriented. They maintain patient medical information in a complete, accurate, and secure manner while modeling high ethical standards. Health information technicians work in a wide range of healthcare facilities and related industries, including hospitals, clinics, provider offices, long-term care, health insurance companies, medical device companies, and healthcare software companies.
The Health Information Management program accreditor of Central Oregon Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2023. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate leadership skills and the impact of organizational change management in healthcare organizations.
- Classify and apply concepts and principles to the practice of health information management, including analysis of data and health record privacy, confidentiality, and security.
- Apply privacy, security, and legal processes impacting health information.
- Apply the use of coding guidelines to the assignment of diagnostic and procedural coding.
Entrance Requirements
Academic Entrance Requirements
Before enrolling in HIM 103 Introduction to Health Information Management, students must pass CIS 120 Computer Concepts, AH 111 Medical Terminology, WR 121Z Composition I or BA 214 Business Communications.
Other Entrance Requirements
- Students entering the spring term of their final year of the HIM program are required to have a criminal history check before enrolling in HIM 293 Professional Practice Experience. A student may be prevented from completing the program if there is a felony conviction on their record.
- Documentation of immunizations is required for professional practice experience (Tdap, MMR, varicella, TB, hep B, flu, and COVID-19).
- Additional immunizations, background checks, and drug screens may be required by directed practice sites at students' expense.
Additional Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)
Material Costs
Required:
- Total cost depends upon preparatory coursework and extent of completion within the program (certificate/degree). Additional costs, estimated to be approximately $2,500, include textbooks, technology fees, directed practice travel expense, OrHIMA annual conference, criminal history check, etc.
Recommended:
- Students are strongly encouraged to have access to a computer with a web camera and reliable high-speed internet.
Course Requirements
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| AH 111 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BA 214 | Business Communications | 3-4 |
| or WR 121Z | Composition I |
| CIS 120 | Computer Concepts | 4 |
| HIM 103 | Introduction to Health Information Management | 4 |
| HIM 104 | Health Information Standards and Governance | 4 |
| HIM 105 | Health Information Compliance and Analytics | 4 |
| HIM 171 | Project Management | 2 |
| HIM 182 | Introduction to Reimbursement and Classification Systems | 4 |
| HIM 184 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology | 5 |
| HIM 190 | HIPAA for Practical Experience | 2 |
| HIM 201 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care | 4 |
| HIM 203 | Health Information Technologies | 4 |
| HIM 271 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 4 |
| HIM 272 | Management Principles and Leadership in HIM | 4 |
| HIM 281 | Healthcare Statistics | 3-4 |
| or AH 105 | Calculations for Allied Health |
| HIM 282 | Reimbursement Systems | 4 |
| HIM 283 | Coding Classifications I | 4 |
| HIM 284 | Coding Classifications II | 5 |
| HIM 285 | Revenue Cycle Management | 5 |
| HIM 286 | Coding Classifications III | 4 |
| HIM 293 | Professional Practice Experience | 2 |
| 5-12 |
| |
| Essentials of Human Biology | |
| |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology III | |
| CIS 131 | Software Applications | 4 |
| COMM 218Z | Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| Total Credits | 91-100 |
Advising Notes
HIM is a cohort program, which begins each Fall. Students can complete non-HIM courses before entry into the cohort or concurrently. Courses are in sequence for first and second year. Students must complete all first-year courses before enrolling in second-year coursework.
This degree is designed primarily for students planning to enter their chosen career upon graduation. However, credits are transferable to four-year degree programs per articulation agreements with the University of Cincinnati's online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and the Oregon Institute of Technology's Health Informatics Bachelor of Science.
Performance Standards
Academic Requirements:
- Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
- All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
