Health Informatics and Management

Health information management plays a key role in the medical field.

To provide quality health care, it's essential to know a patient's medical history. Health information professionals are the gatekeepers of critical medical data. From symptoms to treatment to billing, professionals collect, analyze, and protect patients' medical information. This helps physicians make important decisions when it comes to our well being.

Professionals also analyze trends in healthcare. They observe how patients use healthcare, what diseases are on the rise, and which illnesses are decreasing. This information helps them make decisions and predictions about health needs in the human population.

The health information field is engaging. Daily work offers plenty of variety in business, technology, and science. From large hospitals to small offices, you'll have your pick of where you want to spend your career.

You also get to work with a variety of people in the medical field. Clinical, administrative, and financial professionals all rely on quality health information management to get their job done.

Already have your RHIT certification? Learn more about our RHIT to HIM program.

Why Study Health Informatics and Management?

Health Information Management at Illinois State has a strong focus on information technology. You'll get hands-on experience with real, digital health records. You'll also spend time designing electronic health record systems.

Our dedicated lab space has 30 dual-screen computers with up-to-date technology that matches what you'll use in your career. 

Our internship experience will take you out of the classroom and into a professional setting. Your work as an intern will mirror the work you'll do after graduation. It's a great way to put what you've learned into practice.

Related Skills

These skills will help you have a successful career in the health information management (HIM) field.

Our program at Illinois State will give you the education and experience to develop these skills.

Organization

Since HIM professionals deal with confidential and important data, you must be accurate and pay close attention to details. The information you provide is critical to a patient's health and well-being. It's also important to the operation of the organization.

Communication

Solid communication skills will help you be successful in the HIM profession. Since you'll work with people at all levels in the organization, you'll need to be able to work well with others.

Critical Thinking

HIM professionals not only collect patient data, they also use it for clinical and business decision making. Data is analyzed to study trends in how people use health care. This information helps organizations predict and respond to a community's health needs.

Adaptability

The medical field is fast-paced and changes frequently. Being able to work well under pressure and in an environment of constant change will be beneficial.

The HIM profession also uses a good amount of technology. A strong computer background and the flexibility to learn new technology will help you succeed.

Being Successful in the Field

Related Fields

General job titles people with a Health Information Management degree might have include:

• Chief information officer
• Coding and revenue cycle management
• Department director or assistant director
• Data quality manager
• Information access and disclosure specialist
• Medical record consultant
• Organizational privacy/security officer

Health Information Management majors at Illinois State have found success in the field.

Stanley Eneogwe, 2014, is a Private DRG (diagnostic review grouping) Auditor.  His role includes performing DRG validation reviews for inpatient coding facilities. The purpose of this is to find possible variances of diagnostic related groups to identify opportunities for improved reimbursement. Auditors work closely with HIM Directors and Revenue Cycle Managers to develop quality metrics, production standards and improve geometric mean length of stay (GLOS).

Kelley McHugh, 2015, is the Manager of Health Information Management at Loyola Medicine.  She is responsible for the department operations at Loyola University Medical Center, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, and MacNeal Hospital. She oversees 30 employees in various roles such as release of information, deficiency analysis, chart audit, identity, and document imaging.

Nina Naples, 2015, is a senior consultant for commercial markets program delivery at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. She primarily works on the delivery of national program initiatives and addresses issue resolution through design, development and implementation.

Career Industry Liaison

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Illinois State's preferred filing period for freshman students for the fall semester is September 1-November 15. Applying early is encouraged, as the University must limit enrollment due to space at the University and in specific majors/programs. Visit the Office of Admissions to apply today!

Plan of Study

This information is based on requirements for the academic year(s) indicated. Students should consult the catalog year they were admitted under for their academic requirements.

• 4-Year Plan of Study

Applying to Illinois State

Illinois State's preferred filing period for fall transfer students is September 1-January 15. For the spring semester, the preferred filing period is from April 1-August 1. You are encouraged to apply early in the preferred filing period for best consideration for admission into competitive majors. Visit the Office of Admissions to apply today!

Minimum GPA

2.25

Middle 50% GPA

2.75 - 3.44

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Medical Terminology (HSC 105)
• Anatomy & Physiology I (BSC/KNR 181)
• Anatomy & Physiology II (BSC/KNR 182)
• Structured Problem Solving Using the Computer (IT 168)
• Computer Application Programming (IT 178)

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.25

Middle 50% GPA

2.75 - 3.44

Plan of Study

This information is based on requirements for the academic year(s) indicated. Students should consult the catalog year they were admitted under for their academic requirements.

• 4-Year Plan of Study

Application Period

Applications are always accepted.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Preference will be given to applicants who have completed, with grades of C or higher, the following courses, or their equivalents:

• HSC 105 (Medical Terminology)
• KNR or BSC 181 (Anatomy & Physiology I)
• KNR or BSC 182 (Anatomy & Physiology II)

Both Anatomy & Physiology courses should be completed in the same department. Applicants with preferred courses in progress at the time of application will be held in review until grades are posted for those courses.

Academic Advising