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Program Specific Information - Health Information Management (HIM)

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Health Information Management Program Specific Information Packet

The HIM program specific information packet contains detailed information for prospective students including program admission requirements, an estimated cost of the program, the clinical course, and the curriculum. Click here to view the HIM program specific information packet. The Health Sciences (HS) division has an information packet for students interested in any health sciences program. Click here to view the HS division information packet.

Online Classes. The HIM program is available completely online with the exception of the HIM 2252, Professional Practice Experience course which is completed at a healthcare facility.

Prerequisites into limited enrollment courses:

The prerequisites for the HIM limited-enrollment courses are:

  • Completion of developmental courses, if any, resulting from Placement Test Scores: DEV 0035 (reading/writing), DEV 0050 (math), or equivalents
  • Completion of BIO 1121 or equivalent with a “C” or better (5-year rule applies)
  • Completion of HIM 1101 or equivalent with a “C” or better
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better

The HIM program accepts two cohorts each year, a "local cohort" and a "remote cohort". The primary difference between these two cohorts is where the clinical course, HIM 2252, which is completed at an off-site facility, will be completed.

Local Cohort - In the local cohort, HIM faculty assign students to professional practice experience (PPE) sites in cooperation with facility site supervisors. Local Cohort PPE are arranged in facilities found in any of the following Ohio counties: Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Warren, and Wayne (Indiana). Sinclair already has PPE affiliation agreements with most acute care medical facilities in these counties.

Remote Cohort – Students in the Remote Cohort will not be allowed to complete their professional practice experience (PPE) in any of the Ohio and Indiana counties listed above. These students will be responsible for finding their own PPE site according to guidelines provided by the HIM faculty. Once the student finds an acceptable facility willing to accept them as a PPE student, HIM faculty will work with the student to secure the necessary affiliation agreement and facilitate the student’s professional practice experience.

Please refer to the HIM program specific information packet above for more detailed information.

Waiting Lists

The local cohort as well as the remote cohort does not currently have a waiting list.

Background Checks

Background checks are required for HIM students prior to beginning the professional practice experience (clinical) course. Click here for the college-wide student background check policy and procedure.

Immunization and Vaccination Requirements

A minimum of the following tests/immunizations are required for the HIM program prior to beginning the professional practice experience (clinical) for those students electing to participate in on-site clinicals.  (Note:  these are currently not required for online clinicals.)

  1. Mantoux 2-step test or Quantiferon Gold test for tuberculosis. Tests must be within the past 12 months immediately preceding the Professional Practice Experience (PPE) course.
  2. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  3. Tetanus and Diphtheria Adult Vaccine (Td) (within past 10 years)
  4. Influenza Vaccine (annual, seasonal immunization is required)
  5. Varicella Titer (Chicken Pox)
  6. Hepatitis B - optional, may be waived if not required by clinical site
  7. COVID vaccination
Mental and/or Physical Requirements

Students in the Health Information Management Program must demonstrate the following minimum abilities:

  • Ability to acquire and apply information from classroom and online instruction, laboratory and practicum experience, independent learning, and team projects
  • Ability to communicate in English in oral and written form with colleagues, patients, third-party payers, health care professionals, and others who demonstrate a need for information from patient records or databases maintained in Health Information Management departments
  • Ability to read multi-media materials
  • Ability to use computers and complete computer-based assignments according to established deadlines
  • Ability to function as part of a team
  • Ability to calculate mathematical data such as hospital statistics, budgets, and productivity data
  • Manual dexterity that allows substantial and repetitive movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
  • Ability to operate electronic office equipment
  • Ability to synthesize information regarding health care outcomes for formal, verbal and/or written presentation to health care professionals
  • Frequently work in a seated position
  • Experience extensive interaction with computers
  • Manage time effectively; prioritize multiple tasks; maintain composure in situations that require multitasking.
  • Maintain concentration and focus to attend to demanding and continuous tasks throughout the entire class/lab and/or clinical hours
  • Demonstrate attitudes/actions consistent with the core values and ethical standards of the health information management profession
  • Abide by established policies and procedures of educational and clinical environments

To receive accommodations under ADA and section 504 of the rehabilitation act you must be a “qualified individual with a disability”. A qualified individual with a disability is someone with a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more life activities, who, with or without accommodations can meet the essential requirements for participation in the program. Qualified individuals must produce documentation of their disability and self-identify their need for accommodations to Accessibility Services.

Transfer Opportunities

Make the most of your education by starting at Sinclair Community College. Our quality programs and low tuition make it a great place to start even if you intend to further your education beyond an associate degree or certificate. You would be surprised at the money you could save by completing your first two years of study at Sinclair—just take a look at our low tuition and see the savings for yourself. You can also learn more by visiting Sinclair’s Transfer Website.

After you complete your associate of applied science degree in health information management, you may want to further your education and pursue a bachelor degree in health information management. Bachelor opportunities with CAHIIM accredited programs can be found on the CAHIIM website.

Articulation & Transfer Agreements

Sinclair works directly with many four-year schools in Ohio and beyond to ensure the college credit you earn will transfer easily to those schools. By developing articulation agreements, formal agreements between colleges detailing the recognition of college credit between the schools, you will know you are meeting the requirements needed at the four-year school of your choice. Learn more about articulation and transfer.