Health Information Management

Laurinda B. Harman, Ph.D., RHIA, Chair
3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
215-707-4811

hlthinfo@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/HIM/

A career as a Health Information Management (HIM) professional allows individuals to combine interests in health care, business, and information technology. HIM professionals have expertise in health informatics, which requires knowledge of clinical medicine and the electronic health record (EHR).  This individual also has expertise in coding and classification systems, quality and human resource management, the legal and ethical aspects of health information systems, the regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, and the public policy issues that affect the health information system. Clinical internships are scheduled at several health care institutions.

The HIM professional works closely with all other health professionals to collect and disseminate the information needed to provide high-quality patient care. The health information system supports the needs of patients, health care professionals, administrators, the community, and those involved in research and education. Job opportunities include positions with hospitals and other health care institutions, research and pharmaceutical firms, and governmental agencies. Career opportunities for the HIM professional include: Information Security Officer, Director of Integrated Health Information Systems, Director of Medical Records, Research and Decision-Support Analyst, Clinical Data Specialist, Data Resource Administrator, Patient Information Manager and Clinical Coding Specialist.

Certification

Following satisfactory completion of all course requirements, the graduate is awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and is eligible to write the examination of the American Health Information Management Association for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), which is nationally and internationally recognized.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate program in Health Information Management at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Requirements

This is an upper-level program, and students are admitted in the fall of the junior year and must have 55 credits completed by the fall semester of admission to the program. Transfer students must have their transfer credits evaluated by the admissions office and must meet core and prerequisite requirements of the program.

1. University requirements – All students are required to complete a set of university requirements:  General Education (GenEd) or Core.

New freshman students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the GenEd curriculum (Analytical Reading & Writing, Mosaic I and II, Arts, Human Behavior, World Society, U.S. Society, Race & Diversity, Science & Technology, Quantitative Literacy).

New transfer students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the Core curriculum (American Culture, The Arts, English Composition, Intellectual Heritage, Individual & Society, International Studies or Language, Studies in Race, and Writing-Intensive courses).

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and are identified by "WI" in the RCI column.

2. Program requirements - Health Information Management prerequisites. The prerequisites for the Health Information Management curriculum include courses that fulfill the GENERAL EDUCATION requirements.
Quantitative Literacy:  GW - Math 0823 (Math for a Digital World) OR Math 0824 (Mathematical Patterns)

Mathematics 1013 (Elements of Statistics) OR Psychology 1167 (Foundations in Statistical Methods) OR Sociology 1167 (Social Statistics).
Science and Technology: Kinesiology 1223 & 1224 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II) and Computer & Information Sciences 1055 (Computers & Applications).

3. Electives: 7-8 credits. Strongly recommended electives include HIM 1101 (Medical Terminology) and computer science, business, and writing intensive electives.

 Course Requirements for Health Information Management

* Taken in Spring Junior or Fall Senior semester.

^Indicates writing capstone for major.