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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is HIMS? Health Information Management Systems professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality healthcare. They are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems and coding the diagnosis and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients. HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies and home care providers.
SUNO grants a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management Systems. Students begin the HIMS Program Spring Semester of their freshman year. Upon accreditation of the HIMS program through CAHIIM, graduates are prepared to take the AHIMA national registration examination to become certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator.
What are the internship opportunities?
Why should I attend SUNO? Benefits of attending SUNO include:
What are the career opportunities in HIMS? HIMS professionals enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth. Based on your skills, education, and interests, here are some positions available to you with a Bachelor's Degree: Health Information Management (HIM) Department Director, HIM Systems Manager, Data Quality Manager, Compliance Director, Chief Privacy and/or Security Officer, HIM College Professor, or a Consultant.
Examples of typical employers include: Hospitals, Information systems venders, Health clinics and group practices, Federal government, Insurance companies, State governments, Accounting firms, Colleges and universities (as faculty), Legal firms, Managed Care Organizations and Consulting firms. Please visit the following website for more information on career opportunities. http://www.hicareers.com/.
What credentials are available for HIMS? Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) The CCA distinguishes coders by exhibiting commitment and demonstrating coding competencies across all settings, including both hospitals and physician practices. Based upon job analysis standards and state-of-the-art test construction, the CCA is creating a larger pool of qualified coders ready to meet potential employers' needs. The CCA designation has been a nationally accepted standard of achievement in the health information management field since 2002. The CCA is the only HIM credential worldwide currently.
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Certified Coding Specialists are mastery-level professionals skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in the hospital setting. These coding practitioners review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. To perform this task, they must possess expertise in the ICD-9-CM and CPT coding systems. In addition, the CCS is knowledgeable in medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this credential.
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-Based (CCS-P) The CCS-P is a mastery-level coding practitioner with expertise in physician-based settings such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers. This coding practitioner reviews patients' records and assigns numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. To perform this task, the individual must possess in-depth knowledge of the CPT coding system and familiarity with the ICD-9-CM and HCPCS Level II coding systems. The CCS-P is also an expert in health information documentation, data integrity, and quality.
Certified Healthcare Data Analysis (CHDA) CHDAs demonstrate expertise in health data analysis and the knowledge to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and timely information, while balancing the "big picture" strategic vision with day-to-day details. CHDA-certified professionals also exhibit broad organizational knowledge and the ability to communicate with individuals and groups at multiple levels, both internal and external.
Certified Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) The CHPS credential is the only combined privacy and security certification available in the healthcare industry. CHPS denotes competence in designing, implementing, and administering comprehensive privacy and security protection programs in all types of healthcare organizations. Becoming certified in healthcare privacy and security demonstrates a choice to focus and advance by specializing in privacy and security dimensions of HIM. Being distinguished with this special expertise signifies a commitment to advancing privacy and security management practices and lifelong learning and professional development.
Do you offer online and night classes? While HIMS is not an online or night program, we do offer some online and night classes each semester.
What GPA do I need in order to be considered for acceptance?
Do you accept transfer credits? Yes, you will need an official copy of your transcript(s). The Admission Department will review and provide the information of transfer credits.
What grade must I maintain in my HIMS courses? Students in the HIMS program must earn a C or better in all HIMS courses. If a student does not earn a C or better, they must repeat the course(s) the following semester. Please refer to the Program Handbook for specific information regarding repeating a course.
I have an Associate's degree in Health Information Technology–can I apply immediately?
Is financial aid available?
What scholarships are available?
What does it mean that my college is in the “candidacy status?” The Health Information Management Systems program is currently in the “Candidacy Status”. The Program Director, Andrea Mignott, received notification on June 24th of the approval by George Payan, Accreditation Operations Manager, from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM recognizes degree-granting programs in Health Information Management that have undergone a rigorous process of voluntary peer review and have met or exceeded the minimum Accreditation Standards. This is the initial process towards full accreditation of the HIMS Program. The next step in the accreditation process is the completion of the Self Assessment document. Programs are awarded accreditation status by the CAHIIM, which provides public recognition of such achievement.
What does that mean for the HIMS Program? This means that the HIMS Program has been assessed and achieved compliance with CAHIIM Criteria for Candidacy. It also means that the HIMS Curriculum has met or exceeded the minimum standards for the accreditation process. The program will move to the next step, which is completing the Self Assessment.
What does this mean for our Students? Students can feel confident that the Program Director, Andrea Mignott is taking the necessary steps to achieve accreditation of the program. This is definitely a positive step for the HIMS Program at SUNO.
Students can apply for student membership with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for $35.00 using the program’s Educational Program Code (EPC), 156.
CAHIIM advances the value of health informatics and information management through quality education by:
Why should the HIMS Program be CAHIIM Accredited?
For SUNO
For Employers
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