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What is Health Information Management?
The need for accurate and accessible health information is greater now than it has ever been, and the need for technology to collect, store, and disseminate the information is essential. Health Information Management (HIM) is concerned with the development, implementation, management, and maintenance of patient health information systems. This involves the application of sophisticated computer technology and a knowledge of legal, regulatory, and accrediting agency requirements for health care data collection and dissemination. A career in HIM combines interests in health care, computerization, business, and human resource management.
What are the career opportunities in Health Information Management (HIM)?
Health Information Management (HIM) professionals design and manage information systems in health care organizations such as:
- Ambulatory care
- Hospices
- Hospitals
- Managed care
- Nursing homes
Additional career opportunities include information management in the research and pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Health information professionals are members of management teams who ensure the quality and privacy of patient information.
What programs of study does Temple offer in HIM?
Temple offers a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination and earn the credentials Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
How long does it take to complete the HIM degree?
The four-year HIM program is divided into two years or pre-professional and two years of professional study.
What is studied in the pre-professional program?
Temple undergraduate students take courses in English Composition, Intellectual Heritage, and core electives in American Culture, Individual & Society, Foreign Language/International Studies, Quantitative Reasoning, Science & Technology, and Studies in Race. Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology are prerequisites. Students who complete their pre-professional courses at other colleges or universities should consult a Temple adviser about their transfer credits.
What is studied in the professional program?
Professional candidates are admitted to the HIM degree program after completing a minimum of 55 semester hours. Some of the courses include:
- Medical terminology and Clinical Medicine
- Documentation, Storage, and Retrieval Systems
- Coding and Classification Systems for Diagnoses and Procedures
- Computerized Information Systems and Database Management
- Legal Aspects of Health Information Systems
- Health Care Organizations
- Financial and Human Resource Management
- Quality and Risk Management
- Multiple clinical affiliations and hospitals and other health care agencies
Which Temple campuses offer HIM?
Students may complete their first two years of pre-professional study at Temple University Main Campus or Temple University Ambler. However, their professional study is completed in the College of Health Professions (CHP) at Temple University’s Health Sciences Center. This exciting center encompasses Temple’s Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Schools as well as the University’s world-renowned Hospital, famous for its work in cardiology, and Temple University Children’s Medical Center. With ready access to the University’s new School of Podiatric Medicine in Center City Philadelphia, CHP offers HIM students an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary learning in a comprehensive health care environment.
What is the application process for HIM?
Candidates first apply to the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Temple University. As soon as students are accepted, they should seek the help of an academic adviser to complete required prerequisites in a timely fashion. Next, during the fall semester of sophomore year, students should apply to the Department of Health Information Management at CHP. Admission is competitive. Selection is based on completion of prerequisites, academic standing, and personal interviews. Pre-professional requirements can be taken at an accredited institution outside of Temple University. Transfer students who have met all prerequisites apply to the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Temple University.
What high school preparation is recommended for a major in HIM?
Students should take college preparatory courses with special emphasis on sciences, math, and written and oral communication skills.
web: www.temple.edu/HIM
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