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2015-2016 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Health Information Management, B.S.

Health Information Management Major with a Minor in CIS Health Care Information Systems

Health information management (HIM) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. HIM organizes and manages health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. Health information managers regularly communicate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information.

The increasing use of electronic health records (EHR) will continue to broaden and alter the job responsibilities of HIM. HIM administrators must be familiar with EHR computer software, maintaining EHR security, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information. HIM uses EHR software to maintain data on patient safety and disease treatment and outcome. Administrators also may assist with improving EHR software usability and contribute to the development and maintenance of health information networks.

Students pursuing the health information management program will also be required to complete the minor in health care information systems, through the computer information systems (CIS) department (www.cis.gvsu.edu).

Certification: Most employers prefer to hire credentialed registered health information administrators (RHIA). To obtain the RHIA credential, an individual must graduate from a program accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM 233 N. Michigan Ave 21 Floor Chicago, IL 60601-5800) and pass the RHIA national exam.

Secondary Admissions Criteria for the Health Information Management (HIM) Program

The HIM program is a secondary admission program. The admissions process will take place winter semester and will require an HIM application by March 1, prior to the intended fall entry. The minimum criteria for application will be:

  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.5
  • Completion of the HIM application form
  • Completion of 45 semester hours, which includes current enrollment, verified by transcript(s)
  • No grade less than a "C" in BMS 250, BMS 251 and AHS 100

Required Courses

Total HIM Major credits 61 cr.
Total CIS Minor credits 28 cr.
Total General Education Unduplicated credits 38 cr.
Total 127 cr.

* The minor in CIS health information systems is required in this program. Students must take two courses with the supplemental writing skills (SWS) designation. Math 110 is a prerequisite to courses in the mathematical foundations. The health information and reimbursement emphasis under the allied health sciences major, will be replaced by the health information management program.

Suggested Course Sequence of Study

Fall Year 1 (14 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. Arts Credits: 3
  • Gen. Ed. Philosophy/Literature Credits: 3

Winter Year 1 (15 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. U.S. Diversity Credits: 3
  • Gen. Ed. Social/Behavior Sciences Credits: 3
  • Gen. Ed. Physical Sciences Credits: 3

Fall Year 2 (16 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. History (advised HST 203 SWS) Credits: 3

Winter Year 2 (16 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. Social/Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3

Fall Year 3 (16 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. World Perspectives (Issues) Credits: 3

Winter Year 3 (15 credits)

  • Gen. Ed. Issues Credits: 3

Spring/Summer Year 3 (9 credits)

Fall Year 4 (13 credits)

Winter Year 4 (13 credits)


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