HIT Programs
General Information
Oklahoma has many excellent accredited schools in which you can receive either an associates or bachelor’s degree program in health information management.
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits institutions granting associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees while pre-degree coding programs seek approval from the American Health Information Management Association.
Why is it important to attend an accredited program?
Attending an accredited program ensures that the college is compliant with higher education expectations and that the curriculum is relevant and up-to-date. These accredited programs meet or exceed the minimum standards which make the graduate more marketable in today’s electronic healthcare environment. It also establishes eligibility for the FORE Scholarship and professional credentials. A graduate will not be eligible to sit for the AHIMA credentialing exam unless he/she graduates from a CAHIIM accredited program.
Search http://www.cahiim.org/accredpgms.asp for HIM education programs at the masters, baccalaureate and associates degree levels.
When you have finished your HIM training, the next step is to successfully complete a certification exam. Earning a credential validates your competence as an HIM professional to employers and the public. In addition to the RHIA and RHIT credentials, AHIMA offers numerous certifications:
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
- Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
- Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)
- Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)
Associate’s Degree
The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) requires an associate’s two-year degree and successful performance on the RHIT certification exam.
RHIT are health information technicians who ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They may also use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs. RHITs often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research.
The following are associate degree programs in Oklahoma that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information Management Education (CAHIIM) --- the accrediting organization for degree-granting programs in health informatics and information management: Rose State College
Rose State College
6420 Southeast 15th StreetMidwest City, OK 73110
Degree Awarded: Accredited Associate HIM Program
Contact:
Linda Whaley, M. Ed., RHIA, CCS
Phone: (405) 733-7578
Email: lwhaley@rose.edu
Tulsa Community College
Metro Campus- Allied Health Services Division909 S. Boston Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119-2095
Degree Awarded: Accredited Associate HIM Program
Contact Name:
Sandra Smith, M.Ed., RHIA, CCS
Phone: (918) 595-7201
Email: ssmith@tulsacc.edu
With an Associate’s Degree (RHIT):
- Coder
- HIM Department Manager or Supervisor
- Health Data Analyst
- Insurance Claims Analyst
- Record Technician Specialist
- Consultant
- Cancer or Other Disease Registrar
- Quality Improvement Specialist
- Information Access/Disclosure Specialist
- Charge Master Auditor
- Instructor/Trainer