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Health Information Management

If a career working with technology in the fast-growing health care field sounds interesting, health information management could be just the profession for you. In this accredited program, you will prepare to use computer technologies to securely collect, code, maintain and analyze patient health information, understand and apply rules and regulations to keep protected health information safe, and work with clinicians to improve health information practices that will ultimately impact delivery of patient care.

 
In addition to gaining technical skills, you will learn medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and health care policies and regulations. You will also have the opportunity to practice the profession in a hands-on clinical setting.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to take a nationally recognized exam to become a registered health information technician (RHIT). Health Information Management (HIM) is a very diverse field with opportunities in coding, reimbursement, research, management, quality improvement, data statistics, analytics, informatics, privacy, compliance, documentation improvement and much more. Health Information Management professionals enjoy a variety of career opportunities in hospitals, nursing facilities, group practice clinics, mental health facilities, health insurance agencies, prison systems and many other settings. Experienced HIM professionals can have opportunities to work from home as well.

  1. Abstract and process data from patient records using a variety of computer programs.
  2. Collect, tabulate, compute and prepare statistical reports for use by the medical staff, administration, governing board and authorized agencies.
  3. Code clinical data for reimbursement, research and other reporting purposes.
  4. Perform review of health information for patient care evaluation, quality improvement, and utilization management.
  5. Operate and evaluate various electronic health record (EHR) systems.
  6. Apply legal principles, policies, regulations and standards for the control, release and use of health information.
  7. Utilize computers to compile data, process information for prospective payment systems (PPS) and perform information processing.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

This AAS degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (www.cahiim.org) and prepares students for employment in maintaining and processing health information in hospitals, nursing facilities, ambulatory care clinics and health insurance agencies. Training in a realistic work environment include managing computer databases, coding and abstracting clinical data, quality control management of information, health-related legal principles and policies, and knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and HITECH Act regulations. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

A 2.5 grade is required for all HIM prefix courses and a 2.0 grade or better must be maintained in all other courses required for a degree.  All HIM courses must be completed within five years. 

Prerequisite/Admission Requirements:

  • High School diploma or GED certificate
Students desiring a course of study leading to an associate in arts degree should consult the college catalog for the specific degree requirements. The AA degree is recommended for students who may consider continuing their education in health information management or administration.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 90


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIM 103
HIM Theory and Practice  
5
HIM 104
Medical Terminology & Anatomy for Coding Classification & Abstraction I   1
5
HIM 160
Computer Application in HIM  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BT 272
Business Correspondence   5
5
HIM 105
Legal Concepts in Health  
3
HIM 106
Medical Terminology & Anatomy for Coding Classification & Abstraction II   2
5
HIM 162
Electronic Health Records  
3
SURG 105
Blood-borne Pathogens and HIV/AIDS   4
1
Total Credits
 
17

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HED 129
Pathophysiology  
5
HIM 209
Health Data Analysis and Display  
4
HIM 212
Acute Care Coding  
5
Total Credits
 
14

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIM 167
Current Issues in HIM  
4
HIM 203
Clinical Preparation  
1
HIM 214
Ambulatory Care Coding  
5
HIM 217
Introduction to Applied Statistical Analysis for Healthcare   3
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIM 211
Quality Improvement   4
4
HIM 215
ICD-10 Procedural Coding  
4
HIM 222
Data Analytics  
5
PHARM145
Pharmacology  
3
Total Credits
 
16

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIM 213
Clinical Practice  
4
HIM 216
Reimbursement Strategies for HIM Professionals  
5
HIM 240
HIM Clinical Seminar  
4
Total Credits
 
13

1 HIM 104 may be substituted with BIOL& 241. HIM 104 does not count towards the Associate in Arts degree science requirement and does not satisfy requirements of any allied health program.
2 HIM 106 may be substituted with BIOL& 242. HIM 106 does not count towards the Associate in Arts degree science requirement and does not satisfy requirements of any allied health program.
3 HIM 217 may be substituted with MATH& 146 or BUS 217. This course does not count towards the Associate in Arts degree math requirement and may be subject to college policy for accepting credits with transferring to a bachelor's and/or master's level program.
4 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
5 BT 272 may be substituted with ENGL& 235 or BT 274. ENGL& 235 has a prerequisite requirement.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,544
$ 11,488
$ 21,823
Books
$ 1,716
$ 1,716
$ 1,716
Course Fees
$ 170
$ 170
$ 170
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 12,102
$ 14,046
$ 26,903

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

  • Jillian Condon
    Jillian Condon
    Health Informat Management
    B.S., Seattle University; RHIA
    Jillian.Condon@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7497
  • Barbara Flock
    Barbara Flock
    Health Informat Management
    A.A.S., Spokane Community College; B.A.S., Tacoma Community College: R.H.I.A., C.P.H.Q.
    Barbara.Flock@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7413
  • tim trottier
    tim trottier
    Instructor
    tim.trottier@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7430

 

AccreditationCAHIIM Accredited Program stamp

The Health Information Management program accreditor of Spokane Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2025. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 E. Randolph St., Suite 5100, Chicago, Illinois, 60601; by phone at 312-235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org. Upon graduation with a degree, students will be eligible to apply to write the national qualifying examination of the American Health Information Management Association (www.ahima.org) for certification as a registered health information technician (RHIT). Learn more about the health information profession at www.hicareeers.com.
 

Online and Real-World Learning

The program is 100 percent online with flexible classes and full-time and part-time options. There is a requirement for two, three-week clinical rotations at a health care facility during the last quarter of the program. You must pass a federal background check and may be asked to take a drug test at you own expense before going on clinical rotation.

Percentage of Students Working in the Healthcare Field within 1 year of Graduation

Year Earned Percentage
2020-21 81%
2021-22 81%
2022-23 82%
 

Graduation Rate % Completed within 150% Time by Year Awarded

Year Earned Completion
2020-21 86%
2021-22 90%
2022-23 100%
 

RHIT Exam Pass Rate

Year Earned Completion
2020-21 86%
2021-22 91%
2022-23 89%
 

Student Retention Rate

First Year in Program 1st to 2nd Yr. Retention
2020-21 72%
2021-22 75%
2022-23 74%
 

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Anne Mayer

Workforce Transitions Specialist
Anne.Mayer@scc.spokane.edu
509-227-2276

 

John Yoon

Academic Counseling Liaison
John.Yoon@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7356

 

Landon Johnston

Academic Counseling Liaison
Landon.Johnston@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7190

 

Neesa Guel

Pathway Specialist
Neesa.Guel@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7005