Currently accepting applications For Fall 2013
Deadline July 1, 2013
See below for additional information.
What is 'Healthcare Information and Administration? (HCIA)'
The Healthcare Information and Administration Program prepares the graduates for a career in health information management (HIM). A career in HIM offers you the potential to make a difference not only in the health of the community but also in your future. HIM professionals are the wizards who work behind the scenes to make health information available for real-time patient care and health-planning decisions. Getting to the facts quickly is imperative when you're in the business of saving lives. In today's fast paced health care system, the healthcare team's success depends on accurate, organized health information.
Medicine is exploding with data. Data drives the quality and safety of health care. HIM professionals have an essential role in transforming that data into information to make wide ranging changes in the provision of health care. Skilled HIM professionals accomplish this by facilitating the implementation of systems to ensure that the right information is available to patients, doctors, pharmacists, and insurance companies at the right time and at the right cost. All this is done while maintaining privacy and security of personal health information as the healthcare industry moves toward an increasingly electronic and global environment.
Duties vary with the size of the facility. In large facilities, HIM professionals may specialize in one area of health information or supervise health information employees. In small facilities, the HIM professionals may perform a wide variety of tasks.
Is it for you?
The field of health information management is for you if you:
- Want to work in health care but not provide direct patient care.
- Would like to work in a professional environment with doctors, nurses, managers, and attorneys.
- Are interested in a career that combines the fields of biology, management, information technology, law, and health care.
- Would like a job where you can work in a variety of settings with diverse opportunities.
- Would like a career with positions where one can work with others or independently.
- Want a career that will grow and evolve into the future.
Jobs and Salary Expectations
Job prospects for HCIA graduates are very good with employment expected to grow much faster than average – more than 21 percent through 2020 – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The September 2011 U.S. News & World Report, showed that health information is one of the nine “hot” undergraduate majors.
In addition to strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await graduates. Starting salaries for associate degree graduates range from $25,000 to $32,000.
To learn about potential career paths with an HCIA visit www.HIcareers.com and select career map. The map shows a matrix of positions in health information management. Click on one and the interactive capabilities demonstrate potential options with added experience.
Program Faculty
Program Description
The Healthcare Information and Administration Program leads to completion of the associate of applied science degree. The program combines online instruction, online application activities and an in-person practicum experience to prepare students for entry-level employment in the health information management field. The instruction and application activities will be in an online delivery system only. The practicum experience will take place at a healthcare organization.
The first HCIA course will be offered in Spring Quarter 2013. Revisions have been made since the 2012-13 MCC College Catalog was published. Please click on the following links for the current curriculum and course descriptions . Frequently Asked Questions provides additional information.
Additional information is available on the PowerPoint presentation.
Program Accreditation
The HCIA program is designed to meet the accreditation requirements for associate degree programs in HIM of the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management (CHIIM) education. As of December 2012, the HCIA program is in Candidacy Status, pending accreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Program accreditation by CAHIIM is necessary for graduates to be eligible for the AHIMA professional HIM Certification Exams. A graduate is required to have completed an accredited CAHIIM program to take the exam and become certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). CAHIIM accredited programs are quality programs that provide professionally required knowledge and skills, and employment marketability. Graduating from a CAHIIM accredited program offers employers assurance that you have the expected professional knowledge and skills, and have experienced a curriculum that is relevant to today's electronic health record (EHR) environment.
Students who are enrolled in the HCIA Program during the application and accreditation process will be eligible to take the RHIT exam when notification of accreditation is received even if that occurs after the student has graduated.
Application for HCIA Program
Admission to the HCIA program is selective. Applications for the HCIA program consist of the Application , two letters of reference, an essay and unofficial transcripts. Application packets will be accepted until July 1, 2013.
REQUIREMENTS FOR HCIA PROGRAM
- Applicants must present evidence of ability to do college level work by completion of the following courses with a C or better in each course.
° English level I and English level II
° Humanities or social sciences (one course)
° HMRL 1010 Human Relations Skills
- Students must complete INFO 1001: Information Systems and Literacy and MATH 1310: Intermediate Algebra prior to enrolling in HCIA 2010: Healthcare Statistics which is scheduled for Spring Quarter 2013-14.
- Students must have information technology skills and use of a computer with Internet access to take courses online.
- Current MCC students must be in good academic standing with no business office holds.
Credit Classes and Registration
Students must be accepted into the HCIA program to register for HCIA courses. Course registration is completed by the HCIA program director. Students cannot self-register for HCIA courses.
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