Health Information Management

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are experts in the field of managing and protecting patient health information, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for health care services provided to patients in accordance with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.

Why major in Health Information Management?

The programs offered in health information management are excellent choices for immediate post-high school education, re-entry into the workforce or even a mid-life career change alternative. Graduates of our programs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, home health agencies, insurance companies, and even government agencies.

Our degree program is also now offered as a completely online program, in addition to the traditional in-class offering. You now have the ability to select the format (in-class or online) for each individual course you take on a term-by-term basis. With even more control and flexibility, you can choose how you earn your degree!

CONTACT INFO:

Building 14, Room 001
P: 937-512-2973
F: 937-512-2239
E: christine.steineman@sinclair.edu

This area of study might be for you if:

You would like to work in a medical office or at home performing a variety of tasks.
You are a person who enjoys organization and multi-tasking.
You have an interest in working in the medical field.
You want to gain new skills that are in demand across the country.

Are you Interested in Online Classes?

The HIM program is available completely online with one exception, the Professional Practice Experience (PPE) course which is completed at a healthcare facility.

Do you live outside of Ohio?

Although all HIM courses are available online, by law, Sinclair is authorized to provide educational services to students in most states. Please refer to our out-of-state student information webpage.

How to Get Started:

Please refer to the HIM Program Specific Information Packet which includes detailed information specifically for the HIM program, including the Professional Practice Experience, an estimated cost of the program, the curriculum, and more. In addition, refer to the Health Sciences (HS) Applicant Information Packet for a step-by-step guide to getting started in any Health Sciences associate degree program at Sinclair Community College including the HIM program. (Please note, the accelerated admission information and TEAS requirement noted in the HS packet do not apply to HIM students.)

Information:

How to Enroll

Academic Advising

Paying for College

Available Programs

For program specific information click on the program below:

Associate of Applied Science

Health Information Management

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are experts in the field of managing and protecting patient health information, administering computer information systems and coding the diagnoses and procedures for health care services provided to patients in accordance with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. The Health Information Management program is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters on a full-time basis when the student begins the technical portion of the program. Students preferring to complete on a part-time basis may take longer than five sequential semesters. The degree program consists of open-enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program-specific courses with limited enrollment. The open-enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited-enrollment courses. To qualify for entry to limited-enrollment courses, please see the Applicant Information packet located on the webpage. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of prerequisite courses are required. A grade of C or higher is required in all program courses. The curriculum includes a professional practice experience (PPE). Each fall term, two cohorts of students begin the technical courses that have limited enrollment. Local cohort students (students who live generally in the 14-county area surrounding Sinclair) are assigned to local PPE sites. The remote cohort students (students living generally outside of the 14-county area surrounding Sinclair) are responsible for securing an appropriate medical facility for their PPE. Most second-year HIM courses are limited-enrollment courses. All courses in the program are available online. Students may enroll in courses face-to-face on campus, online, or a combination. Face-to-face courses on campus are only available during the day. Students are generally required to complete their PPE during daytime business hours. Note: For students under age 18 there may be restrictions on participating in certain Health Sciences programs. Any student under age 18 must contact the program director/department chair to discuss whether he or she may enroll. This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify Registration and Student Records at studentrecords@sinclair.edu. View Full Program Details

One-year Technical Certificate

Health Information Management Technician

The Health Information Management Technician certificate prepares students to work in a medical office setting. This certificate will focus on preparing students for an entry-level office position in a medical facility where basic electronic health record technology, medical terminology, medicolegal principles and revenue-cycle principles are utilized. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses to receive the certificate.

View Full Program Details

Short-term Technical Certificate

Medical Coding & Billing Specialist

The Medical Coding and Billing Specialist certificate prepares students for entry-level coding and billing positions in physician medical offices, medical insurance companies and outpatient billing services. Students will develop skills to accurately determine diagnostic and procedural code number assignments that impact medical reimbursement. Skill sets include application of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding systems; medical terminology; anatomy and physiology and disease processes; processing insurance claims and reimbursement practices. The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certificate can be completed in the traditional classroom setting or completely online or a combination of both delivery systems. Students must receive a grade of C or higher in all courses in the MCBS.STC and have a GPA of 2.0 to receive the certificate. View Full Program Details

Important Information about Health Sciences Programs: The Health Sciences (HS) Programs consist of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses. To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the program specific information packet located on each HS program's webpage.

It is very important that you meet with an Academic Advisor by calling 937-512-3700, or visiting Building 10, Room 301, to make sure you are scheduling the correct classes for your program choices. They can also direct you to financial services for any information you require about finances.

Program Outcomes

Graduate Satisfaction

(Survey Results for 2022 Graduates)

Each year the graduating Health Information Management students are requested to complete a survey after graduation. This survey asks for their opinion of the learning experience they received in our program. Of the respondents, the results indicated 100% agreement that the program has:

Prepared the student with the knowledge to perform as a health information management professional.
Prepared the student to communicate effectively and demonstrate critical thinking while functioning within his/her work environment.
Prepared the student to conduct himself/herself in an ethical and professional manner.

Employer Satisfaction

(2023 Survey Results)

Each year employers of our HIM graduates are requested to complete a survey regarding our graduates that they have hired. This survey asks for their opinion of the graduates’ level of readiness in various areas. Of the respondents, the results indicated 100% agreement that our students:

Possess the technical skills and have the knowledge needed to perform in the health information management work environment.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, use sound judgment, solve problems, and develop appropriate action steps.
Communicate effectively.
Function effectively as a member of the work team.
Conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner.

National Exam Passage Rate

The passage rate of HIM graduates who took the RHIT exam for the first time during the 8/1/2021-7/31/2022 reporting period was 79.2%.

Employment and/or Pursuance of Continued Education

Over 87% of the 2022 graduates of the Health Information Management program gained employment in the healthcare field or pursued higher educational opportunities in healthcare.

Completion/Graduation Rates

For the period of 2021-2022 academic year, student completion of the Health Information Management program was 87.34%.

Links of Interest

Accreditation

The HIM associate degree program is accredited by the Commission on CAHIIM Logo Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates of the Sinclair program qualify for accreditation in the health information management field by passing the national certification examination requirements of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon successful completion of the examination, the graduate is awarded the credential of a registered health information technician (RHIT).

Accreditation Statement: The Health Information Management accreditor of Sinclair 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 2027-2028. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Health Information Management Mission and Vision

MISSION STATEMENT
In partnership with the community and industry, provide our students a quality health information technology program which facilitates student learning through academic preparation and clinical experience producing graduates capable of functioning professionally in health information positions to meet the demand in the health care field.

VISION STATEMENT
To develop and provide a technically-prepared workforce in the area of Health Information Technology.