Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Health Information Management (HIM) AAS Degree program is designed to meet increasing health industry demands for trained health information specialists. This program includes a combination of human science, computer technology, and health information courses that prepare the student for employment in health care organizations. The program includes both theoretical instruction and practical laboratory experience on the Klamath Community College campus and through affiliations with other health care providers in the area.
Health Information Management professionals hold diverse and unique skill sets. They are experts in data collection, analysis, monitoring, maintenance, and reporting activities in accordance with established data quality principles, legal and regulatory standards, and professional best-practice guidelines. These functions include processing and using health data for treatment, billing, compliance, and surveillance purposes.
Successful pursuit of this degree requires students to possess collegiate skills in reading, communication, computation, and critical thinking. To acquire that competency, it is highly recommended that students complete pre-collegiate courses to gain these skills before their first term of entry into this program.
Prerequisites
- Successful completion of WRI 095 and/or placement into WRI 121.
- Successful completion of MTH 095 and/or placement into MTH 105.
- Successful completion of BIO 101 and BIO 103.
- CGS 100 College Survival and Success, if necessary (e.g., if a student has been out of school for a number of years or has a GPA lower than a 2.9).
The program begins each fall term with a maximum of 20 students. Students must receive a “C” or better in all program-required courses. The classroom is designed to correlate classroom and lab experience with practical (cooperative work) experience in health care facilities.
Most practical experience sites require a drug screen, TB test, Hep B series, MMR, and a background check prior to starting the experience. These potential additional expenses are the student’s responsibility. Costs are estimated as follows: drug screen $50, TB test $30, Hep B $210, MMR $50, fingerprints $15, and background check $72. The cost is $427.00 due the term before your practical experience. All fees, tests, drug screen and background check must be completed/pass before you can start your practical work experience.
At this time, the program is pending accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). Once accreditation is awarded, all students will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification. Currently there are two National Certification Exams available through National Health Career Association. Students may be eligible for Electronic Health Record Specialist and/or Billing and Coding Specialist. Klamath Community College is an NHA testing center site for both exams.
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