» School of Allied Health Professions » Health Information Management

According to the AHIMA website, Health Information Management (HIM) is a rapidly growing field within healthcare. This profession has been cited by the Bureau of Labor & Statistics to expereince a 49% growth in the number of HIM workers by 2010. A projected 6,000 HIM professionals will be needed each year; however, currently only 2,000 new graduates enter the field every year.

The HIM specialist has the critical job of linking healthcare professionals via patient information. This involves securing, analyzing, integrating, and managing information in the healthcare industry.

Our curriculum combines didactic courses on the college campus with supervised laboratory experience in selected clinical settings during the course of study. For more information please see the American Health Information Management Association website.

For more information about the Health Information Management Program, please contact Christine Staropoli, Program Director, at (215)-542-4660. You may also contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-DIAL-GMC or e-mail at admissions@gmc.edu.

Click here for information about the history of AHIMA and Health Information Management

For a detailed description on the Health Information Management program, click here

Health Information Technology

The Health Information Technology (HIT) program is a program accredited by the CAHIIM/AMA/COA/AHIMA leading to an associate degree. Currently we offer a full-time day time, and part-time, evening program.

It is designed to prepare the student to function effectively in a technical manner in health information departments in a wide variety of health care settings. These settings include: ambulatory care, rehabilitation centers, drug and alcohol facilities, local health departments, third-party payers, pharmaceutical companies, acute care, as well as other healthcare-related organizations such as insurance companies, consulting firms and technology companies.

Curriculum requirements in the core concentration must be taken at Gwynedd-Mercy College. General education credits will be reviewed and accepted if they meet GMC requirements.

During the course of study, students learn the theory of health information systems and experience clinical affiliations in sites where practical application of theory takes place. After completion of the associate degree, the student is able to write the national accreditation examination.

Prerequisites: high school biology, proficiency in verbal/oral skills, keyboarding, competence, and math ability.

Health Information Administration

Health Information Administration is accredited by CAHIIM/AMA/COA/AHIMA, and has been designed for a person who has an associate degree in HIT or has completed the ISP/AHIMA and holds an RHIT credential.

The core concentration courses must be taken at Gwynedd-Mercy College (a minimum of 45 credits), and the number of credits required for the bachelor’s degree is 125 credits. Transfer credits will be reviewed and accepted if they meet the requirements of Gwynedd-Mercy. The concentration courses in this program are offered in the evenings. Achieving the bachelor’s degree allows the person to write the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Examination.

Coding Certificate Program

The Coding Certificate Program has been implemented to help alleviate the coding personnel shortage in health care. Out of the 41 credits earned in this program, 32 credits can be used toward the associate degree in Health Information Technology. In addition to taking courses on campus, students will complete practicum experience at participating clinical sites. Courses are offered in the day and evening to meet the needs of all students. The Coding Certificate Program curriculum is based on AHIMA approval and accreditation requirements.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate / Second Bachelor's Degree

Those who hold an RHIT credential and have a bachelor’s degree in a related field may receive a post-baccalaureate certificate or second bachelor degree after completion of HIA related courses. A certificate is awarded allowing the graduate to write the national registration examination to obtain a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential.

HIA Program Requirements:

• Applicants must be graduates of a program approved by AHIMA.
• Applicants must possess an associate degree or satisfy conditions under the associate degree to bachelor of health science progression program. (Please refer to college catalog.)
• The applicant must have achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in HIT courses. An official transcript from each college attended must be submitted.
• The applicant must be either actively working or have had working experience in Health Information Management.
• The applicant must possess an RHIT credential.