Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to main content
Home

Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2021-2022 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Information Management, A.A.S.


Purpose: The Health Information Management Program is designed to provide instruction and professional practice experiences to assist in successful entry into the practice of health information management. Graduates from the program may be employed throughout the health care industry. 

View the Health Information Management, A.A.S. Fee Sheet. 

Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into areas of study consisting of lecture, computer laboratory, practical and simulated experiences to provide the academic foundation necessary to prepare students to be competent health information management professionals and meet the entry-level competencies that will enable them to apply data management processes in support of health care information operations regardless of the setting or environment.  The degree is aligned with the entry-level competencies defined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and provides students with a unique blend of courses in data and information management, information technology, revenue cycle management, organizational management and leadership, and health care law and compliance.  

Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management will be able to:

  1. Apply principles of data and information governance throughout the data lifecycle.
  2. Apply American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) data quality management model components and characteristics to data collection.
  3. Apply and understand basic principles of databases and data analytics.
  4. Utilize and apply healthcare informatics to meet healthcare organizational needs.
  5. Use the common features and functions of certified electronic health record applications and other source systems.
  6. Analyze healthcare documentation for compliance with federal, state, institutional, and accrediting agency standards.
  7. Apply knowledge of clinical classification systems (ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS), nomenclatures, and reimbursement methodologies.
  8. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, accrediting agencies’ standards and healthcare organizations’ policies and procedures related to protected health information (PHI) access, use, disclosure, privacy, security,
    confidentiality, and legal and ethical issues.
  9. Apply health statistics, risk management, quality and performance improvement management strategies used in healthcare.
  10. Abide by and apply American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics to ethical scenarios in the healthcare setting.
  11. Utilize critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills to perform the entry-level competencies of the health information management profession to effectively lead in the organization.
  12. Apply diversity management principles throughout the healthcare workplace.

Program Requirements: All Health Information Management students must:

  1. Maintain a grade of “C” or better in all program courses.
  2. Meet program competency requirements and technical standards.
     

Program Pathway

First Year Fall

 

First Year Spring

Course Number

Course Name

Credits

 

Course Number

Course Name

Credits

BIO 116

Human Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health 

4

 

HIM 110

Pharmacology & Pathophysiology 

3

CSC 102

Introduction to Information Technology

3

 

HIM 111

Healthcare Delivery Systems

3

ENG 101

English Composition I
*(ENG 101E  is an approved substitution for ENG 101)

3

 

HIM 112

Electronic Health Records Software Application

4

HIM 101

Fundamentals of Electronic Health Records

3

 

HIM 201

Fundamentals of health Information Management

3

MAP 102

Medical Terminology

3

 

MAP 108

Medical Records Analysis and Coding

3

TOTAL

 

16

 

TOTAL

 

16

Second Year Fall

 

Second Year Spring

Course Number

Course Name

Credits

 

Course Number

Course Name

Credits

Gen Ed

Arts/Humanities

3

 

Gen Ed 

Behavioral/Social Sciences

3

MAT 109

Statistics

3

 

Gen Ed 

Diversity

3

HIM 202

Medical Reimbursement and Insurance Practices and Procedures 

3

 

HIM 204

Clinical Decision Support and Quality Management

3

HIM 203

Health Laws and Bioethics

3

 

HIM 240

Health Information Management Capstone 

3

HIM 220

HIM Leadership and professional Practices

3

 

HIM 222 

Health Information Management Externship

3

MAP 206

Advanced Coding

3

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

18

 

TOTAL

 

15

General Education Requirements (19 Credits)


Arts/Humanities


Behavioral/Social Sciences


Diversity


English


*A minimum grade of “C” or better is required for ENG-101 and ENG-101E

Degree Requirement (65 Credits)


Additional Program Requirements


Criminal Background Checks


Students must pass a criminal background check in order to proceed through the program and prior to beginning the externship experience. Criminal background check results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. If a student is denied access to a clinical site because of the background check, and as a result, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be recommended for dismissal from the program.

Drug Screen


Students may be required by an externship site to submit to a drug screen. Drug screen results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required.

Vaccine Requirements


Several immunizations are required as part of your health documentation, including:  HEP B 3 vaccine series AND Positive immunity titer, Tetanus (Tdap) within last 10 years, Varicella 2 vaccine series AND positive immunity titer, MMR 2 vaccine series AND positive immunity titer,  the Flu vaccine (fall and spring), and the COVID-19 vaccine. Since many individuals fail to maintain immunity over time, you may be required to repeat vaccination series/ receive a booster in order to demonstrate positive immunity. Positive immunity titers are required to proceed with Clinical or Externship rotations in all Health Sciences Programs. It is the student’s responsibility to verify immunity prior to the start of the program and take the necessary steps to ensure positive immunity by the health documentation deadline provided to each cohort.

Other Requirements


An American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support is required for healthcare providers (the AHA version is required for your licensure exams).

Externship Site Placement


Student placement in externship sites is determined at a designed semester. Misconduct in the assigned externship site may result in loss of externship placement and/or recommendation for program dismissal. 

Technical Standards


There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program. More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program.