BS in Health Informatics and Information Management

A career in health information management combines the exciting, challenging world of medicine with computerization, business, and management into one excellent career choice. While health information management (HIM) professionals possess skills similar to those of other business professionals, they must draw from a broader base of knowledge. Their knowledge of business and science is combined with knowledge of law and medicine. While HIM professionals may not be as visible to the public as the physician, nurse, or other health professional, their presence is vital to keeping the facility functioning smoothly.

Health information management professionals' knowledge of computer systems, health law, medical documentation and organizational management is essential to hospitals, nursing homes, law firms, outpatient clinics, insurance companies, physicians' offices, consulting firms, colleges or universities, or government agencies - any organization that deals with healthcare.

This is a great time to enter this field. The education you receive at UTHSC will prepare you to be successful in numerous positions in the health care fields. The variety of jobs is endless. As with any dynamic, rapidly growing profession, advancement depends on a personal commitment to life-long learning to keep up with the changes in the health field and in technology. Health Information Managers are qualified for many different types of positions. Some graduates direct or manage entire Health Information Management Departments or an area of a department in a larger health facility. Quality improvement and research positions are increasing. Many graduates develop an interest in the technical aspects of information management and assume positions in information management. Our graduates report back that they feel competent and confident in their jobs because of the excellent educational foundation received at UTHSC

You must complete 72 (seventy-two) semester hours of pre-professional courses prior to admission to the one calendar year (48) semester hours at UTHSC to receive a B.S. degree in Health Information Management.

What are the personal qualifications?

Do you like organizing and managing?

About 60% of UT HIM graduates follow a management oriented HIM career to organize, lead, and coordinate staff members to handle patient care information functions in a health care facility. The HIM professional assures that the patient's confidential information is protected and used appropriately for reimbursement, billing, statistics, legal needs, quality improvement, and in other health care operations. Most managers work in hospitals or large clinic settings with an increasing number working at the corporate systems level as corporate directors of health information management.

An increasing number of UT HIM graduates are working in areas directly related to reimbursement and coding and other payment oriented activities. These financial issues are increasing in importance to assure that payment for services is proper and based on accurate documentation and coding of the health record. Health information managers code and classify diagnoses and procedures and provide authorized information to insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care organizations, and other payors

Jobs which involve analyzing health information for clinical research and health care quality are increasing in popularity for UT graduates. There are numerous positions for HIM professionals available at research institutions such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and at organizations which review the quality and safety of patient care. Health care facilities also employ HIM professionals for quality management, risk management, utilization review, and other types of quality improvement positions.

Certification

Upon completion of the year at UTHSC, students apply to write the national certification examination administered by the national association, AHIMA. This is a computerized examination that is individually scheduled by the student and can be completed at any time during the year. Successful completion of the examination allows one to use the designation RHIA or Registered Health Information Administrator and means that these credentials are recognized nationwide. State licensure is not required. These credentials must be maintained by required continuing education activities.

• AHIMA
• AHIMA Certification
  

Link to Bachelor of Science in HIIM