A career in health information management combines the disciplines of medicine, information management, computer technology, finance, and law within the health care industry.

HIM professionals bring unique skills to the healthcare industry. These skills include the ability to:

• Manage medical records and health information systems
• Enhance the quality and uses of data within the healthcare industry
• Summarize data into useful information
• Comply with standards and regulations regarding health information
• Protect the privacy and security of patient health information
• Ensure health information is complete and available to legitimate users
• Code health information for reimbursement and research.

Within the Department of Health Information Management, interested students can obtain an Associate of Science Degree in Health Information Technology or a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Administration. Upon completion of the AS or BS degree, the student is able to apply to write the RHIT or RHIA credentialing exam respectively. The registered health information technician (RHIT) performs a variety of technical health information functions, including the following: analyzing and technically evaluating health information for accuracy; compiling administrative and health statistics; coding diagnoses as well as procedures for reimbursement and databases; and creating disease registries for researchers. The registered health information administrator (RHIA) manages a variety of health information management functions, including the following: managing electronic health records, managing clinical workflow, improving the quality and uses of data, protecting the privacy and security of patient health information, and analyzing information for reimbursement and research.

Programs’ Mission, Philosophy and Goals of the Health Information Management Programs.

Health Information Management Programs Mission

The mission of the Indiana University Northwest Health Information Management programs is to fully prepare students to fulfill the roles of competent and ethical health information practitioners in the twenty-first century. Students will be prepared to manage health information and informatics in order to advance professional practice and standards.

HIM Programs Philosophy

The belief in the need for better educational opportunities in the changing health care profession of Health Information Management is realized through our commitment to the higher education of health information professionals in the community.

With this rapidly changing profession, there comes a need for a constant review and revision of the Programs to meet these changes.  We believe this need can be met through the utilization of a dedicated Program and clinical faculty and an advisory board to the programs. With strong faith in these professionals, we set forth the following goals for the Programs in Health Information Management.

1.  To prepare competent entry-level health information technicians and administrators in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

2.  To provide educational experiences designed to prepare students to achieve the student learning outcomes for Registered Health Information Technicians and Registered Health Information Administrators as described by the Commmission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) and for entering a career as a health information professional.

3.  To provide concentrated professional practice experiences through a combination of virtual lab learning opportunities, and on-site experiences, as available, in healthcare-related institutions. 

4.  To provide the healthcare community with individuals qualified to effectively carry out the functions of the health information management discipline.

5.  To contribute to the liberal education of the students by providing a core of general education courses.

6.  To qualify students for progression to a higher degree in health information management or a related field, for the AS graduate or to graduate education for the BS graduate.

7.  To assist students in reaching their goals by providing academic, occupational, and personal guidance.

8.  To prepare the student to successfully write the national certification examination of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

9.  To prepare the students for effective citizenship, students are provided opportunities to become active citizens, promoting the exercise of human and civil rights, and an appreciation for diversity.

10.  To be prepared to use ethical practices, students are provided opportunities to gain knowledge and engage in activities that enable them to develop awareness and concern for how their actions affect other people.