The Health Information Management (HIM) program integrates the discipline of medicine, computer technology, and business management. This program prepares students for local or national employment opportunities in information management and computer technology.

HIM professional responsibilities include collecting, storing, processing, retrieving, analyzing, and disseminating information related to quality improvement, reimbursement, research, and the legal aspects surrounding the release of health information. Professionals in the HIM field play a major role in the healthcare industry as connectors between doctors, insurance providers, other healthcare professionals, and patients. Graduates of the program can work in various settings throughout the industry, including hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, insurance companies, long-term care facilities, computer software companies, and government agencies.

Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the American Health Information Management Association’s national certifying examination for Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT). Passing this examination entitles the graduate to use the RHIT credential.

Mission and Vision

Mission

The Health Information Management (HIM) curriculum will provide instruction (didactic and lab) and professional practice experiences to assist students in developing the theoretical, technical and practical skills necessary to maintain and apply the components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of health care delivery systems and health care industries. 

 

The program's primary purpose is to provide students with the academic foundation necessary to prepare them to meet the entry-level CAHIIM competencies, enabling them to pass the RHIT examination, obtain employment, and apply the technical, management, and problem-solving skills to every aspect of health information management.   

 

Vision 

The vision of the Health Information Management program at Prince George's Community College (PGCC) is that students will be leaders in educating, developing, and promoting the professional practice of Health Information Management at the regional, state and national levels.

Program Goals

Graduates of the Health Information Management A.A.S. will be able to:

  • Apply laws, regulations, and policies to healthcare delivery organizations.
  • Apply accurate diagnostic and procedural codes for reimbursement processes.
  • Evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements and reimbursement methodologies in hospitals, physicians' offices, and alternative health care settings.
  • Use technology for data management of health information.
  • Demonstrate fundamental leadership skills, such as communication and teamwork, as a health information management professional.
  • Use medical terminology as related to body systems.
  • Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the professional Code of Ethics of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for registered health information professionals.
Program Outcomes

2022-2023

  • Program Completion Rate: 100%.
  • Employment Rate (Students responding to survey employed within 6 months of graduation): 66.7%.
  • Attending College towards another degree: 33.3%
  • Student Satisfaction Rate: 100%.

 

Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of Prince George’s Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2031.

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.

Students successfully completing PGCC's Health Information Management Program are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Health Information Management Program students are also eligible to take the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).