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» School of Allied Health Professions » Health Information Management

                                                                        

Health Information professionals are needed for President Obama’s plan to manage digital health records nationwide.

Could this be your role in President Obama’s plan for change?

The health information field is suitable for those interested in health care and information technology (IT). It is projected that 6,000 HIM professionals will be needed to manage the transition to an electronic health record over the next five years.

The economy is scary. Everyone wants job security. Health Information professionals are in high demand.

Gwynedd-Mercy College is the only college on the east coast to offer an associate’s and bachelor’s degree, as well as a Coding Certificate. Students in the program at GMC have the advantage of a Virtual Lab, which allows students to use the same software they will encounter in the workplace. One of the featured technologies in the Virtual Lab that will simulate the real world application is the electronic health record.

According to the AHIMA web site, Health Information Management (HIM) is a rapidly growing field within health care. This profession has been cited by the Bureau of Labor & Statistics to experience a 49 percent 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 health care professionals via patient information. This involves securing, analyzing, integrating, and managing information in the health care industry. Learn more about HIM careers.

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 or e-mail at staropoli.c@gmc.edu

or for Admissions information contact Jakita Price, Senior Admissions Officer at 1-800-DIAL-GMC (x511) or e-mail at price.j@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 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 health care 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.

Curriculum information

Associate Degree

MAJOR– 42 credits

Health Information Administration – 30 credits

HIT 100

Introduction to Allied Health & Acute Care Rec

3 credits

HIT 103

Licensing Agencies/Legal Aspects

3 credits

HIT 105

HIM Systems/Non-Acute Record

3 credits

HIT 109

Medical Terminology

3 credits

HIT 201

Coding I

3 credits

HIT 203

Coding II

3 credits

HIT 205

Advanced CPT

3 credits

HIT 207

Reimbursement Methods

3 credits

HIT 208 Basic Pathophysiology 3 credits
HIT 210 Supervisory Principles 3 credits
HIT 212 Quality Improvement in Healthcare 3 credits
HIT 214 Professional Practice Experience II 3 credits
HIT 216 Introduction to Business I 3 credits

General Education and Core Curriculum

Natural Science and Mathematics - 8 credits

 BIO 107

Anatomy & Physiology I

3 credits

 BIO 107L

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1 credit

 BIO 108

Anatomy & Physiology II

3 credits

 BIO 108L

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1 credit

Computer Information Sciences – 3 credits

CIT 101 Intro to Desktop Computing      3 credits

GENERAL EDUCATION AND CORE CURRICULUM *

  1. Skills for Exploring – 6 credits                 
  2. Exploring Society and Global Diversity – 3 credits
  3. Exploring the Natural World, Mathematics and Technology – 11 credits
  4. Exploring the Spiritual World – 6 credits
  5. Exploring the Arts and Imagination – 3 credits

* Please contact Jakita Price, 1-800-Dial- GMC, X 511, or price.j@gmc.edu in the Office of Admissions for specific general education course requirements.

Credit Requirement
A minimum of 71 credits is required for the AS degree.

Grade Requirement
The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable)

Prerequisites:  Mathematics proficiency and high school biology.

Health Information Administration

Health Information Administration is accredited by CAHIIM 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 College. 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.

Curriculum Information

Bachelor Degree

 

MAJOR 

Health Information Administration – 21 credits

HIA 301

Adv. Performance Improvement in HIM

3 credits

HIA 303

Advanced Computer Applications in HIM

3 credits

HIA 306

Health Information Management Science

3 credits

HIA 401

Advanced Pathophysiology

3 credits

HIA 403

Current Topics in Health Care

3 credits

HIA 405

Management Project  - Capstone

3 credits

HIA 407

Management Practicum  - Capstone

3 credits

 Accounting - 9 credits

ACC 105

Principles of  Accounting I

3 credits

ACC 106

Principles of Accounting II

3 credits

ACC 301

Managerial Accounting 

3 credits

 Business – 3 credits

BUS 371

Intro to Human Resource Management

3 credits

 

Computer Information Technology - 6 credits

CIT 213

Intro to Systems Analysis

3 credits

CIT 215

Intro to Relational Databases

3 credits

 

Credit Requirements

A minimum of 41 credits is required for this certificate. A minimum of 21 Gwynedd-Mercy College credits are required. 

Grade Requirement      

The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable).

 

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.)
  1. Skills for Exploring – 6 credits
  2. Exploring Society and Global Diversity – 18 credits
  3. Exploring the Natural World, Mathematics and Technology – 8 credits
  4. Exploring the Spiritual World – 9 credits
  5. Exploring the Arts and Imagination – 9 credits for BS

Open Electives - 36 credits

* Please contact Jakita Price, 1-800- Dial-GMC, X 511, or price.j@gmc.edu

in the Office of Admissions for specific general education course requirements.

Credit Requirement
A minimum of 125 credits is required for the BS degree.


Grade Requirement
The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable)

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.

Gainful Employment Program Disclosure

The Department of Education requires schools with Gainful Employment programs to disclose certain information about these programs. This link provides information related to cost, program completion rate, and student debt related to our specific programs.

 

Curriculum Information

Coding Certificate

MAJOR

Health Information Administration – 30 credits

HIT 100

Introduction to Allied Health & Acute Care Rec

3 credits

HIT 103

Licensing Agencies/Legal Aspects

3 credits

HIT 105

HIM Systems/Non-Acute Record

3 credits

HIT 109

Medical Terminology

3 credits

HIT 201

Coding I

3 credits

HIT 203

Coding II

3 credits

HIT 204

Advanced CPT

3 credits

HIT 207

Reimbursement Methods

3 credits

HIT 208

Basic Pathophysiology

3 credits

HIT 209

Coding Directed Practicum

3 credits

 

General Education and Core Curriculum

Natural Science and Mathematics - 8 credits

 BIO 107

Anatomy & Physiology I

3 credits

 BIO 107L      

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1 credit

 BIO 108

Anatomy & Physiology II

3 credits

 BIO 108L

Anatomy & Physiology Lab

1 credit

Computer Information Sciences – 3 credits

CIT 101

Intro to Desktop Computing                                                  3 credits   

 

Credit Requirements                                     

A minimum of 41 credits is required for this certificate. A minimum of 21 Gwynedd-Mercy College credits are required. 

               

Grade Requirement                                       

The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable).

 

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.

Curriculum Information

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate / Second Bachelor's Degree

MAJOR

Health Information Administration - 21 credits

HIA 301

Adv. Performance Improvements in HIM

3

HIA 303

Advanced Computer Applications in HIM

3

HIA 306

Health Info Management  Science

3

HIA 401

Advanced Pathophysiology

3

HIA 403

Current Topics in Health Care

3

HIA 405

Management Project

3

HIA 407

Management Practicum

3

 

Accounting – 9 credits

ACC 105

Principles of  Accounting I

3

ACC 106

Principles of Accounting II

3

ACC 301

Managerial Accounting 

3

 

Business – 3 credits

BUS 371

Introduction to Human Resource Management

3

 

Computer Information Sciences - 6 credits

CIT 213

Intro to Systems Analysis

3

CIT 315

Intro to Relational Databases

3

               

Credit Requirement

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate requires an earned bachelor degree in a related field (business, management, health science) and a RHIT credential from the American Health Information Management Association.  The minimum total credits required is 30.  These 30 credits must be earned at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

 

Grade Requirement


The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable).