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"Advanced Education and Training, Skilled Healthcare Professionals, A Better Healthcare System!"

HIMS

Classes Start June 4, 2012!

Tougaloo College is offering a Post Baccalaureate Certification Program in Health Informatics Management and Systems (HIMS). The Health Informatics Management and Systems (HIMS) Certification Program will give students the education and practical experience they need to work at the forefront of the health care industry; the largest and one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. The HIMS program is offered primarily through on-line education within a six-month interval. The certification program targets professionals who already have a baccalaureate degree and need a certification in HIMS for either advancement or a new employment opportunity. The HIMS certification program will produce professionals who will provide leadership in the implementation, transition and continued use of Electronic Health Records (EHR).

		Upcoming Program Start Dates

		April 2, 2012

		June 4, 2012

		September 4, 2012

Through offering this specialized knowledge area, Tougaloo College intends to increase the minority participation in the Health Informatics Management (HIM) workforce to meet demands created by the 2014 mandate that all Americans will have an EHR. With the rapid growth in the healthcare industry, there is a tremendous need for more educated and skilled workers to fill the demands of this industry in the areas of health information technology and health information management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2018, there will be a twenty percent growth in this field.

The HIMS certification program is open to all professionals who wish to pursue a career in health information management. Graduates will leave with the skills necessary to work in the management sector of the health care industry and will be equipped with the knowledge to manage a health care organization successfully.

Tougaloo College Post Baccalaureate Certification Program in Health Informatics Management and Systems (HIMS) is comprised of six (6) modules. A brief description of each module is below.

Module 1: Medical Terminology

Module 1 This course will provide an overview of the language of medicine. It is intended to introduce the students to basic body systems and location of body parts; symptoms and diseases; abbreviations associated with medical care and documentation; and basic word roots, prefixes, and suffixes of medical terms. This class will provide a detailed review of body systems through the use of case studies and vignettes to demonstrate how they are used in practice.

Module 2: Terminology for Health IT

Module 2 This course will provide students with a thorough understanding of terminology of health information technology and the practical use of information within the health care system. Topics covered in this course will be based on core competencies as defined by AHIMA, HIPAA regulations, and JCAHO. The purpose will be to prepare students for 21st century occupations dealing with the implementation and utilization of health information systems.

Module 3: Legal Aspect of Privacy and Security

Module 3 This course provides an overview of the legal and ethical aspects of health information management in the 21st century. Students will be introduced to current HIPAA rules and regulations, privacy and security issues related to the exchange of health record data, the U.S. legal system content and maintenance of health information defining patient’s rights and access to information, and issues related to data security, system security and disaster planning. In addition, students will be introduced to new legislation such as the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Module 4: Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement

Module 4 This course is intended to provide students with appropriate skills to analyze and report data within the health care environment. Students will learn how to read and report data from data tables and charts, develop appropriate data tables and charts, and understand the basics of health care quality improvement. Students will be introduced to quality improvement theory and how to create and develop quality improvement templates within the health care setting.

Module 5: EHR Practicum 1 and 2 / Module 6: AHIMA Virtual Lab

Module 5-6 The AHIMA Virtual Learning laboratory will provide students with a single site sign-on with virtual access to an array of core electronic health record technologies, supporting tools, and resources. This class will provide students with hands-on practical experience with electronic health records and integrated health information technology. Students will be introduced to technology related to health data structure, content and standards, clinical classification systems, biomedical sciences, reimbursement and billing, health care delivery systems, information and communication technologies, and data storing and retrieval.