Health Informatics and Management - Registered Health Information Technician-HIM

The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)-Health Informatics Management (HIM) sequence is designed for a special group of students—those who have a current RHIT certification and are graduates of an accredited college program in health information technology.

All Health Informatics Management courses will be delivered online via distance learning.

Why Study Health Informatics and Management - Registered Health Information Technician-HIM?

Health Informatics Management (HIM) professionals play a critical role in managing the collection, maintenance, and analysis of the medical data that healthcare professionals rely on to deliver, manage and finance quality patient care. Health Informatics Management is a profession that combines health data, information technology and management. HIM professionals play a critical role in collecting, maintaining, and analyzing the health data that healthcare professionals rely on to deliver, manage and finance quality healthcare.

In addition, they receive the training necessary to assume managerial positions related to these functions. RHIAs interact with all levels of an organization — clinical, administrative, financial — that employ patient data in decision making and everyday operations. 

Related Skills

These skills will help you have a successful career in the health informatics 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 Informatics 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 Informatics 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 the 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

This program is not available for new freshmen. Learn more about the Health Informatics Management on-campus program that is available for new freshmen.

Applying to Illinois State

To transfer into this program, students must hold an applied associate degree in Health Information Technology (HIT), be a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), and have completed a minimum of the communication, math, and science categories of general education. After completing three courses in the online sequence, students earn 33 hours of proficiency credit from their associate degree program toward the B.S. degree.

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.

Minimum GPA

2.25

Middle 50% GPA

2.81 - 3.54

Required Courses

• While no coursework is required, students must have RHIT certification.
• Completion of IAI general education Communication, Mathematics, and Physical and Life Sciences categories.

Recommended Courses

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

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.25

Middle 50% GPA

2.81 - 3.54

Application Period

This program is not available for current Illinois State students. Learn more about the Health Informatics Management on-campus program that is available to current students.

Academic Advising