Health Information Management

  • About Program
  • Career Opportunities & Job Outlook
  • Degrees & Certificates
  • Additional Information
  • Contact
  • Courses
  • Program Outcomes

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide the opportunity for students to develop skills and abilities that will allow them to become competent Health Information Professionals and managers with entry-level skills and the resources needed to acquire, analyze, maintain, and report accurate and complete health information. In addition, the program provides an environment for lifelong learning.

The East Central College Health Information Management (HIM) program trains students to fill a pivotal role within the medical environment – connecting clinical, operational and administrative functions. Skilled HIM professionals ensure an organization has the right information on hand when and where it is needed.

HIM professionals are responsible for the quality, integrity, and protection of patient’s health information.

The online-based degree is available for full-time and part-time students.

What do HIM professionals do?

Professionals in this field work across a vast array of positions from analytical roles to project management roles to healthcare system management including:

  • Ensuring the accuracy, usefulness, integrity and protection of patient health information throughout a healthcare organization
  • Applying leadership skills toward the implementation of electronic health information systems
  • Assessing and strategically planning for healthcare data and information needs to both manage and improve the quality of clinical and business operations
  • Managing many new and exciting operational and technology-related projects related to HIM

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CAHIIM accredited seal

The Health Information Management accreditor of East Central College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for associate of applied science degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through academic year 2024-2025. 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.

Nurse in blue scrubs checking patient data on tablet

A degree in HIM prepares HIM professionals to work in a variety of settings including:

  • Acute and long-term care hospitals
  • Physician offices and clinics
  • Nursing homes
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Community mental health clinics
  • Health plans
  • Insurance companies
  • Government agencies
  • Outpatient diagnostic facilities

US Salary Survey Report: HIM Professionals in 2019

The demand for an HIM degree isn’t going away, since the volume of electronic health information generated by healthcare providers and patients continues to grow. Employment of health information…is projected to grow 16% from 2022-2032,much faster than the average for all occupations.
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Health Information Management Fact Sheet

Degrees & Certificates

Health Information Management, AAS

Program Description

Students enrolled in East Central College’s Health Information Management (HIM) program are trained to fill a pivotal role within the medical environment – connecting clinical, operational, and administrative functions. Skilled HIM professionals ensure an organization has the right information on hand when and where it is needed. HIM professionals are responsible for the quality, integrity, and protection of patients’ health information.

Program Format

The Health Information Management degree is a 65 credit-hour two-year program that prepares the student to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Duties

While most RHITs work in hospitals, they are also found in other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. RHITs may also be employed in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

RHITs:

  • Ensure the quality of medical/health records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
  • Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
  • Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for RHITs is a cancer registrar — compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Credentials/Certifications: The student is prepared to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
  2. Professional/Technical Skills: The student learns advanced skills and will be able to apply entry level HIM competencies achieved at the degree level.
  3. Critical Thinking: The student will be able to utilize different strategies to make decisions and solve complex problems through the application of HIM skills.
  4. Ethical/Legal Concerns: The student will understand the implications of legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks related to health care industry.

Health Information Management, Certificate of Achievement

The HIM Certificate of Achievement is an online 30 credit hour certificate. The certificate track includes instruction in medical records, health information software applications and data entry, legal aspects, and statistics. Coursework also includes the fundamentals of medical science and treatment procedures, medical terminology, and basic anatomy and physiology — lecture and lab.

In addition, students learn about the regulations pertaining to health information documentation, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Program Outcomes

  1. Professional/Technical Skills: The student learns foundation HIM skills and will be able to apply entry level HIM competencies achieved at the certificate level.
  2. Critical Thinking: The student will be able to utilize different strategies to make decisions and solve complex problems through the application of HIM skills.
  3. Ethical/Legal Concerns: The student will understand the implications of legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks related to health care industry.

Health Information Management and course description

Degrees and Certificates: 

Transfer Options:

The East Central College Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management is designed for students seeking employment immediately upon graduation.
However, many of the courses may qualify as transfer credit at four-year schools Students seeking to transfer should contact the institution of their choice for more information.

RHIT Exam Information:

AHIMA has partnered with Pearson VUE to offer an online remote proctored option for the RHIT examination. This allows students to take the RHIT examination from the comfort of one’s home. By taking the RHIT exam with ECC and Pearson VUE this eliminates unknown locations and travel times. Register early as dates and times fill quickly. For more information contact AHIMA proctored exams or the ECC Testing Center.

Helpful Links:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HIM program completely online?

Yes, except for the HIM Professional Practicum Experience (PPE) course. The PPE course allows for actual hands-on experience with face-to-face interaction at various healthcare settings.

Do I need to be a full-time student in the HIM program?

No, you can be a part-time or full-time student.

Does the AAS degree transfer to other Universities or Colleges?

Yes, after you complete your AAS degree this will transfer to a four-year institution. ECC has articulation agreements with St. Louis University. Or you can find other CAHIIM accredited institutions here: CAHIIM Approved Programs

Do I need to apply for admission into the HIM program?

You will need to apply to East Central College to join the program, but HIM has open enrollment status.

What is the expected cost of the two-year program?

You can contact Financial Services at ECC to assist with cost planning.

Program Faculty

Kimberly Daman-Scheel
Program Director, Health Information Management
BSN/RN, RHIA, CDIP, CCS
kim.daman-scheel@eastcentral.edu
 636-584-6662

Dr. Nanette Sayles
Professor, Health Information Management
EdD, RHIA, CCS, CHPS, CHDA, CPHI, CPHIMS, FAHIMA, CDIP
nanette.sayles@eastcentral.edu

Program Outcomes

RHIT Exam Results
PeriodECC Pass RateNumber of First Time Test TakersNational Pass Rate
2023–202475%472%
2022–202383%668%
2021–202240%568%
2020–202191%1178%
HIM Retention
Academic Year to Academic Year
AY 2020 to AY 2021AY 2021 to AY 2022AY 2022 to AY 2023
HIM Majors645530
Number of Graduates14146
Still Enrolled262118
Retention Rate62.5%63.6%60%
Dropped/Switched Majors24206
Attrition Rate37.5%36.4%20%
  1. HIM Majors – This is determined by counting the unduplicated number of students with an HIM major at the end of the summer, fall or spring term within that academic year. For example, if you were looking at AY2018, you would be looking at the 17/SU, 17/FA and 18/SP terms.
  2. Number of Graduates – This is determined by counting the number of students from “HIM Majors” who graduated with an HIM certificate OR degree within the same academic year.
  3. Still Enrolled – This is determined by counting the “HIM Majors” who were still enrolled in an HIM program at the end of the summer, fall or spring term within the next academic year.
  4. This table does not represent the way ECC typically calculates student retention.
HIM Employment Rate
PeriodEmployment Rate
2022–2023100%
2021–202250%