Associate in Applied Science
CIP Code: 51.0707
Mission
The mission of the Health Information Management/Medical Records Program is to prepare confident, innovative, contributing professionals who can identify and use a variety of information resources and technologies to accomplish the objectives of diverse practice environments. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become self-directed learners who possess critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as communication and interpersonal skills. It instills a commitment to life-long learning and important ethical values. As practitioners, graduates of this program will serve society and the profession through collaborative practice, innovative teaching, and the generation and application of new knowledge about health information management.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Maintain health record systems consistent with medical, legal, ethical, and administrative requirements;
- Interpret and implement various regulations of the modern health care delivery systems;
- Apply scientific standards in analyzing and evaluating health records;
- Compile various statistical reports and analyze and validate data;
- Code diseases, operations, and procedures;
- Design, select, implement, and evaluate departmental operations and information systems;
- Monitor healthcare reimbursement systems by analyzing case-mix payment rates to determine reimbursement optimization;
- Maintain and utilize a variety of health record indexes, storage, and retrieval systems;
- Understand the importance of confidential communications and apply the principles of release of information;
- Develop and maintain the electronic health record;
- Show proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
- Score at or above the national average on all RHIT examination competencies.
- Establish and maintain continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
Accreditation
The Health Information Management accreditor of SUNY Broome Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for its associate of applied science degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2020.
All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at +1 (312) 233-1134; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Program Supervisor
Holly Jones, Chairperson
Office: Decker Health Science Center, Room 217
Telephone: +1 (607) 778-5063
E-mail: joneshr@sunybroome.edu
Health Information 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 and for reimbursement and research. 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.
Practice in the college health information laboratory as well as in health information departments of various healthcare facilities, provides opportunities of additional educational experience.
Students who graduate from the program are eligible to take the National Certification Examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Graduates may continue health information management education toward a baccalaureate degree at four-year colleges.
Sequence of Courses
The following coursework must be successfully completed to earn the A.A.S. degree in Health Information Technology/Medical Records. Courses are sequential and have prerequisites.