For students holding a Bachelor of Science degree in another discipline, there is a certificate program in Health Information Management available. Completion of the certificate program will establish eligibility to sit for the national registration examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Students who successfully pass the national examination receive certification and the designation of Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

Built on a solid foundation of liberal arts and sciences, the program is structured to provide a professional education with a comprehensive curriculum. The program is guided by the principle of quality health care through quality information.

Accreditation & Registration

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The Health Information Management program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIM) using standards set by the American Health Information Management Association.

Upon successful completion of the Health Information Management Program, the graduate is eligible to take the national registration examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Students who successfully pass the national examination receive certification and the designation of Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

The passing rate for the national examination is 98% for C.W. Post graduates.

About the Profession

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Health Information Managers are a vital and integral part of the health care team. They play an important role in the transfer of knowledge by providing people with access to the information that they want and need. Health information managers are the specialists who secure, analyze, integrate, and maintain the information systems that steer the health care industry.

Careers offer attractive entry-level salaries with excellent opportunities for professional growth. The role of health information management professionals in the health care industry is becoming more important and much broader. Many new employment opportunities have been generated by the integration of computers in the health care environment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an increase of 18 to 26 percent in the number of health information management professionals will be needed within the next 10 years.

Career opportunities for health information managers may be available in:

• Hospitals and Nursing Homes
• Health Insurance Companies
• Accounting and Consulting Firms
• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
• Peer Review Organizations
• Colleges and Universities

To be granted a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management, the student must complete a total of 128-129 credits.

The curriculum in the Health Information Management program combines formal classroom education with clinical experiences working in a wide variety of health information management departments in various, regional health care facilities. Students are required to complete clinical rotations as part of the program's requirements.

Typical Program in Health Information Management

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Freshman Year Credits
Biology 7, 8	8
English 1, 2	6
Psychology 1, 2	6
Language/Literature	6
Medical Terminology	3
Mathematics 1	3
Total	32 cr.
Sophomore Year Credits
Health Information Management Department	3
Directed Practicum I	2
Fine Arts	6
Introduction to Computing	3
Computer Applications in Health Care	3
History/Philosophy	6
Management 11	3
Political Science/Economics	6
Total	32 cr.
Junior Year Credits
Statistics and Research	3
The Medical Staff and Hospital Organization	3
Elective	3
Classifications, Indexes, and Registers	3
Directed Practicum II	2
Pathophysiology	3
Financial Management in Health Care/Public Administration	3
Critical Issues in Health/Public Administration	3
History/Philosophy	3
Health Information in Non-Hospital Settings	3
Computer-based Health Information Systems	3
Total	32 cr.
Senior Year Credits
Electives	9
Legal Aspects of Health Care	3
Research Methods	3
Advanced Coding	3
Organization and Management of a Health Information Department	3
Directed Practicum III	2
Directed Practicum IV	3
Quality Management and Regulatory Agencies	3
Medical Ethics	3
Total	32 cr.

Health Information Management classes are offered in the evening (with the exception of clinical experience courses) enabling students to work full-time while completing their studies.

C.W. Post offers generous scholarships including a scholarship designed specifically for Health Information Management students. Contact the Office of Financial Assistance for details at (516) 299-2338 or go to Scholarships and Financial Aid

Faculty

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Kerry Kimmins, M.H.A.
Director, Health Information Management Program
Registered Health Information Administrator
healprof@cwpost.liu.edu

Donna Abbondandolo, M.B.A.
Associate Director, Health Information Management Program
Registered Health Information Administrator
Certified Coding Specialist
healprof@cwpost.liu.edu

Janis Marullo, B.S.
Program Assistant, Health Information Management
jmarullo@liu.edu

Program Admission

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All new and transfer students must meet criteria of the Campus Admissions Committee to be accepted into the program. The first step is acceptance to the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. A formal application must be made to the Admissions Committee of the C.W. Post Campus. Information regarding application to the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University may be obtained by contacting the C.W. Post Campus Office of Admissions at (516) 299-2900, or by emailing: enroll@cwpost.liu.edu

Life Experience Credits

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Individuals who are practicing the field of record administration may be granted some life experience credits toward the Bachelor of Science degree.

Life experience credits will be evaluated after a matriculated student completes 6 earned credits at C.W. Post.

Application for Life Experience Credits
The student must formally apply to the Office of Life Experience for evaluation of eligible credits. (Please note: certain restrictions apply). Life Experience applications will not be accepted once the student has begun the senior residency.