Health Information Administration The Profession The Health Information Management profession is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare through quality information. HIM professionals work across all types of care settings including hospitals and integrated delivery systems, medical groups and other ambulatory care, long term care and specialty care settings. Additionally, HIM professionals work for IT vendors, consulting groups, pharmaceutical organizations, insurers, colleges and universities, public health and other governmental agencies. Health information professionals are currently involved with the nation s goal of creating an electronic health record for all Americans by 2014. The registered health information administrator (RHIA) manages health information services, designs patient information systems, helps determine the flow of the medical information, what equipment will be purchased, and the staffing level necessary to provide the services required. The RHIA also plays an important role in quality improvement activities and contributes to the financial viability of an organization. Job Outlook The overall employment outlook for registered health information administrators (RHIA) is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for health information professionals are expected to grow much faster than average for the next several years. More information about the field of health information management can be obtained from the website of the American Health Information Management Association at www.ahima.org. Salaries and Work Settings The average starting salary for a health information administrator will vary depending on the size and geographical location of the hospital or healthcare facility and on the position. The most recent biennial Salary Survey conducted by the American Health Information Management Association reveals entry level salaries from $40,000 to $50,000. In 2008, the average salary for RHIAs was $68,213. It is possible to earn $50,000 to $75,000 within five years of graduation. (http://www.hicareers.com/pathways/baccalaureate_degree.aspx) Health information administrators are employed in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, consulting and law firms etc. Based on skills, education and interests, some of the current and evolving positions available include: HIM Department Manager Decision support analyst Compliance Officer Privacy / Security Officer Clinical data specialist Data Quality Manager Patient Information Coordinator HIM Home Health Coordinator HIM Educator Director Consultant 1
Accreditation / Professional Certification The health information administration program at Chicago State University is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) located at 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2150; Chicago, IL 60601-5800. The AHIMA telephone number is (312) 233-1100. Graduates of the HIA baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate certificate program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the Commission on Certification of AHIMA. After successful completion of this exam, an individual becomes a registered health information administrator (RHIA). Chicago State University and the College of Health Sciences Chicago State University (CSU) was founded in 1867 as a teacher training school and is the oldest public university in the Chicago metropolitan area. The University is located in a residential community on the south side of Chicago and reports to a local board of trustees. The 161-acre campus can be reached by public transportation and parking is available for student vehicles. The student body of the University is multiracial and includes part time and full time students, many of whom are older than the traditional college age. There is one student dormitory on campus. Most students commute to campus. Chicago State University welcomes applications from prospective freshmen, transfer, international, non-traditional and professional students. The Department of Health Information Administration is a part of the College of Health Sciences and is located in the Business and Health Sciences Building. The Department offers a baccalaureate degree and post baccalaureate certificate. The College has three other academic departments Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Health Studies. The college also houses the HIV/AIDS Research and Policy Institute and the Campus Wellness Center. Programs in health sciences are committed to the preparation of competent health professionals who possess a sense of personal, social and professional responsibility. The Health Information Administration Department The Department of Health Information Administration personnel include full time and part time instructors who have expertise in their area of teaching. Most faculty members also have extensive leadership experience within the profession. Students are assigned to an advisor who will help to ensure that they are making progress towards program completion. The small class size provides opportunities to interact with faculty and fellow students. Students enjoy dedicated classroom and computer lab space. The HIA Club exists to connect pre-professional students with professional students and faculty. Applying for Admission to the Professional Program Entering freshmen and transfer students must meet the general admission requirements of the university and successfully complete the required university examinations and courses in English and reading. The mathematics examination is required for statistics but might be waived for students who have previously completed college algebra and a basic course in statistics at an accredited institution. The department will accept only prerequisite courses and courses in the major in which students have earned a grade of C or higher. In addition, a grade point average of 2.50 or higher is required for preprofessional courses. 2
Admission to the professional program requires a written application, three letters of reference, an essay, a recent physical examination and a personal interview. Applications and supporting documents should be received in the Department by March 31 to be considered for fall admission. If all openings are not filled, applications will continue to be accepted until July 1. Students are admitted to the HIA Department without regard to race, age, gender, religion, ethnic origin or disability. Applicants who apply early will be advised by mail of their admission status by June 1. Course of Study The baccalaureate degree curriculum is divided into the pre-professional phase (freshman and sophomore years) and the professional phase (junior and senior years). 124 credits are required for the Bachelor of Science Degree with an overall GPA of 2.0. The pre-professional curriculum includes completion of the University s general education requirements as well as the basic science courses and prerequisites for professional course work. This course of study provides students with the broad-based knowledge needed for the two-year professional curriculum. The Department offers the opportunity for students from health information technology programs including registered health information technicians (RHITs) to test out of certain classes. Interested students should contact the department chairperson. The department also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Administration. The program requires completion of 63 hours of professional course work. Applicants must apply to the Graduate School, 773.995.3671. The HIA courses are offered primarily during the day with two courses in the evening. The semesters of the professional years should be taken in sequence beginning in August of each year. The professional curriculum focuses on health information administration theory and its application. Clinical application is simulated on campus and provided in health information centers during a junior year professional practice experience (PPE) and a senior year management PPE. Junior students may complete their PPE as a directed practice one day a week along with course work during spring semester, or in a three-week block during the summer following the junior year. The Junior PPE is scheduled for a total of 120 hours. The Senior Year PPE is scheduled for one month (a total of 120 hours) during the spring semester of the senior year. Seniors must complete all courses in the curriculum except for the RHIA Prep Course in order to register for the Senior Year PPE. Achievement of a grade of C or better is required in all junior and senior level courses and in any health information administration course offered in the pre- professional phase. A grade of C or better is also required in all science courses in the preprofessional phase. Health Information Administration courses may be repeated only once. Students who receive less than a C in three Health Information Courses will be dismissed from the Department. Students who receive less than a C in a repeat Health Information Administration course will be dismissed from the Department. Students must score at least 75% on each of two comprehensive examinations during the professional phase of the program. The first comprehensive examination consists of junior year course material given at the end of the junior year. Students who score less than 75% on the exam will have an opportunity to take a second exam prior to the beginning of senior year study. The exam must be passed prior to beginning the senior year. The second examination is given at the end of the HIA 4700 Exam Prep course. This examination covers all of the professional content and must be passed in order to receive the Bachelor of Science Degree or Certificate in Health Information Administration. Students failing to achieve a score of 75% on this examination will be given one opportunity to repeat the examination. Students who fail the senior comp exam a second time must repeat the course. 3
A listing of required courses is attached. Course descriptions may be found in the current Chicago State University Undergraduate Catalog, or on the CSU Homepage www.csu.edu. Cost to HIA Students Health Information Administration (HIA) students are responsible for the regular tuition and fee costs published in the most current Chicago State University Class Schedule Bulletin (online only). In addition, HIA students pay $15.00 per year for liability insurance for admittance to professional practice experience settings. All students are now required to do a background check, drug screen, and/or other tests (additional fee required by the student). Certified Background is the company used for screenings. The costs for transportation, food and any other additional costs incurred for the PPEs are the responsibility of the student. HIA students must also purchase a white lab coat ($20.00) for PPEs and professional activities. Refer to the Department Secretary for specific information for an order form. Student Employment During the time that a student is serving in a PPE assignment, he/she shall not be substituted as a regular staff employee, nor take the responsibility or the place of qualified staff. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to undertake certain defined activities with appropriate supervision and direction. A student may be employed in a clinical facility outside of regular education hours provided the work is limited and that it does not interfere with academic responsibilities. The work must be non-compulsory, paid and subject to standard employee policies. Professional and Student Organizations Students are highly encouraged to join the American Health Information Management Association, ($35 per year) and the Chicago Area Health Information Management Association ($10 per year). Additionally, pre-professional students are encouraged to join the HIA pre-professional Club. For application materials, contact the Health Information Administration Department Office. Further Information To receive an application form, for more information, or to make an appointment for advising, contact: Department of Health Information Administration College of Health Sciences Chicago State University, BHS 610 9501 South King Drive Chicago, IL 60628 (773) 995.2552 Website: http://www.csu.edu/collegeofhealthsciences/healthinformationadministration/index.htm To request a Class Schedule Bulletin, University Catalog or an application for admission to the University, contact: Rev. June 2012 Admissions Chicago State University Cook Administration Building, Room 200 9501 South King Drive Chicago, IL 60628 Phone: (773) 995-2513 CSU website: www.csu.edu 4
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION BACHELOR DEGREE CANDIDATES Freshman Year (Pre-professional phase) ENG 1270 Composition I 3.0 ENG 1280 Composition II 3.0 BIOL 1080 Biological Science Survey II 3.0 PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology 3.0 MATH 1200 College Algebra 3.0 Math 1600 or Basic Probability and Statistics 3.0 PSYC 2080 or 4190 (Select 1) Intro to Statistical Methods Fndmtls of Statistical Methods Elective Foreign Language 1 3.0 Elective Foreign Language 2 (same) 3.0 CMAT 2030 Basic Speech Communication 3.0 Elective Physical Science 3.0 15.0 15.0 Sophomore Year ZOOL 2050 Human Functional Anatomy 4.0 PSLY 2040 Human Physiology 4.0 HSC 1104 Medical Terminology 3.0 ENG 2790 Business Writing 3.0 HSC 2150* Intro Health Professions 3.0 HIA 1000 or Intro to Computing for HIA 3.0 CPTR 1060 Intro to Personal Computers I Elective Humanities (fine arts) 3.0 SOC 1250 Diversity in US Society 3.0 PHIL 1020 or Intro to Logic 3.0 HSC 3321* Service Learning in Health 3.0 PHIL 1030 Critical Thinking 16.0 Apply to Professional Program 16.0 Junior Year (Professional phase) HIA 3011 Acute Care Health Info Systems 4.0 HIA 3100 Alt. Health Care Del. Systems 3.0 HIA 3300 Clinical Medicine I 4.0 HIA 3200 Coding & Classification Sys. 3.0 HIA 3400 Computers in Health Care 3.0 HIA 3600** Legal Aspects & Ethics in HIA 3.0 HIA 3500 Health Care Statistics 3.0 HIA 3700 Clinical Medicine II 4.0 HIA 3810** Health Info Mgmt I 3.0 HIA 3910 Technical PPE (optional) 3.0 17.0 13 or 16 Summer Course Title Hrs HIA 3910 Technical PPE 3.0 Senior Year HIA 3900 Coding and Reimbursement 4.0 HIA 4200** Research in Health Care & HIM 3.0 HIA 4010** Health Info Mgmt II 4.0 HIA 4300 Hlth Info Stds, Reg Req & Reimb. 3.0 HIA 4020 Health Care Finance 2.0 HIA 4400 Hlth Care Org Info. Systems 3.0 HIA 4100 Education and Training 2.0 HIA 4600 Management PPE 3.0 HIA 4500 Health Care Quality Mgmt 3.0 HIA 4700 RHIA Exam Preparation 2.0 15.0 14.0 Total Degree Hours: 124 For additional information, please contact the HIA Department at 773.995.2593 or visit our website at: http://www.csu.edu/collegeofhealthsciences/healthinformationadministration/index.htm For more information about the health information profession, please visit the AHIMA website, www.ahima.org Rev. June 2012 Subject to change * College required courses, **Writing intensive courses 5
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE CANDIDATES Required Prerequisite Courses Course Title Hrs. BIOL 1080 Biological Science Survey II 3.0 ZOOL 2050 Human Functional Anatomy 4.0 PSLY 2040 Human Physiology 4.0 ENG 2790 Business Writing 3.0 MATH 1600 or PSYC 2080 or PSYC 4190 (Select 1) Basic Probability and Statistics Introduction to Statistical Methods Fundamentals of Statistical Methods HIA 1000 or Intro To Computing for HIA 3.0 CPTR 1060 Intro to Personal Computers I HSC 1104 Medical Terminology 3.0 HSC 2150* Intro Health Professions 3.0 Total 26.0 3.0 Junior Year HIA 3011 Acute Care Health Info Systems 4.0 HIA 3100 Alt. Health Care Del. Systems 3.0 HIA 3300 Clinical Medicine I 4.0 HIA 3200 Coding & Classification Sys. 3.0 HIA 3400 Computers in Health Care 3.0 HIA 3600** Legal Aspects & Ethics in HIA 3.0 HIA 3500 Health Care Statistics 3.0 HIA 3700 Clinical Medicine II 4.0 HIA 3810** Health Info Mgmt I 3.0 HIA 3910 Technical PPE (optional) 3.0 17.0 13 or 16 Summer Course Title Hrs HIA 3910 Technical PPE 3.0 Senior Year HIA 3900 Coding and Reimbursement 4.0 HIA 4200** Research in Health Care & HIM 3.0 HIA 4010** Health Info Mgmt II 4.0 HIA 4300 Hlth Info Stds, Reg Req & Reimb. 3.0 HIA 4020 Health Care Finance 2.0 HIA 4400 Hlth Care Org Info. Systems 3.0 HIA 4100 Education and Training 2.0 HIA 4600 Management PPE 3.0 HIA 4500 Health Care Quality Mgmt 3.0 HIA 4700 RHIA Exam Preparation 2.0 15.0 14.0 Total Certificate Hours: 62 For additional information, please contact the HIA Department at 773.995.2593 or visit our website at: http://www.csu.edu/collegeofhealthsciences/healthinformationadministration/index.htm For more information about the health information profession, please visit the AHIMA website: www.ahima.org Subject to change Rev. June 2012 * College required courses, **Writing intensive courses 6