CIP Code:
Program Description:
Health Information Management Technology (HIMT) provides the umbrella framework to describe the comprehensive management of health information across computerized systems and its secure exchange between consumers, providers, government and quality entities, and insurers.
When people think about careers in the field of health care, such jobs as doctors, nurses and even receptionists might be the first ones to come to mind. Beyond the men and women who actually tend to health concerns, there is a wide range of employment possibilities in the field of Health Information Management Technology. As computer technology continues to evolve, positions in this field will continue to flourish.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes that Health Information Management Technology is responsible for “comprehensive management of information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers.” The exchange of patient information among doctors, hospitals and pharmacies must be performed in a secure manner, considering the sensitive nature of this information. Medical coding is another important function for those in the Health Information Management Technology field. Insurance companies and medical providers need to work efficiently to provide the highest quality of patient care.
Program Outcomes:
At the completion of the diploma in the Health Information Management Technology, graduates will be able to successfully complete the competencies to skills in one or all of the following exit points.
The Health Information Management Technology program has three exit titles as follows:
(1) Health Information Support Certificate, 1 trimester (432 hours)
(2) Health Information Coordinator Certificate, 2 trimesters (864 hours)
(3) Health Information Management Technology Specialist Diploma, 3 trimesters (1296 hours)
All competencies must be mastered before progressing to the higher certificate or diploma. Actual student completion time may vary due to the utilization of individualized, competency- based training.
Professional Accrediting Body:
State Agency/Entity Oversight:
Applicable Certifications/License or Industry-recognized Certificates:
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents and all are presently accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and are approved for federal financial aid. They are encouraged to become authorized testing sites for administering the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam, and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, from National Health Career Association (NHA), 11161 Overbrook Road, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
Individual Certification
Students are encouraged to seek individual certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) upon completion of the program, or after working as a medical coder for 1-2 years. Additional HIMT certification is also encouraged for instructors and graduates.
Examples of certification include:
- Certified Professional Coder - The American Academy of Professional Coders is a national non-profit organization. The coding certification enables individuals to prove their professional outpatient coding abilities. Additional information including test sites can be found via the web at www.aapc.com.
- Certified Professional Coder-Hospital - The American Academy of Professional Coders is a national non-profit organization. The coding certification enables individuals to prove their professional inpatient coding abilities. Additional information including test sites can be found via the web at www.aapc.com.
- Certified Coding Associate - The CCA exhibits coding competency in any setting, including both hospitals and physician practices. The American Health Information Management Association is a national non-profit organization. The coding certification enables individuals to prove their professional outpatient coding abilities. Additional information including test sites can be found via the web at www.ahima.org.
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