Health Information Management

 

Health service careers are among the fastest growing occupations in the economy. In the healthcare field, this really is the information age. There's a whole new growth market for the skills and training of health information management and health records professionals. An aging population and increasing healthcare needs, combined with the focus on accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of health care services delivery, has led to a skills shortage. People with information management, data collection and analysis, and data security skills are in demand.

 

Program Highlights

The Fleming College Health Information Management program is one of only three Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) recognized college programs available in Ontario. In this challenging two-year program, students will learn to use computer technologies to capture and analyze data, and to create health information for healthcare delivery use, financial and management planning. This information is also needed by public health officials to indicate disease patterns and trends, and by medical researchers for analysis and comparison. Health records are the primary source of information used by hospitals and health care facilities to code services for reimbursement purposes.

The program of study includes courses in biomedical science, health information science, research and epidemiology, healthcare law, computer applications, coding and classification systems and utilization and reporting. You will graduate equipped with very marketable skills in the health information management sector.

This program has been granted formal recognition by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Graduates will be eligible to write the Canadian College of Health Information Management Administrator examination and upon successful completion, use the professional designation CHIM.

 

Word from the Workplace

"Now more than ever, a Health Information Management (HIM) career offers exciting and dynamic opportunities. Data Quality, Privacy and Electronic-Health Information Management (e-HIM) are our domains of practice. This diverse field offers positions to support the collection, analysis and management of health information; positions related to patient privacy and advocacy; and project management opportunities to assist in transitioning from a paper-based to electronic health record across all healthcare sectors."

MARIA MUIA, B.H.A., M.H.Sc., C.C.H.R.A(A.), C.H.E.
Director, Health Information Management, North York General Hospital

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Fleming College has a reputation as a leader in technology-based learning. The Health Information Management program has a brand-new, fully-computerized lab with over 500 anonymized patient records and scanning equipment, to provide students with practical application knowledge that supports the move in healthcare to electronic health records (EHRs).

In the healthcare field, the college and its faculty are renowned for a variety of initiatives and programs, such as the Institute for Healthy Aging and Nursing, Massage Therapy, Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist and Paramedic. Through these programs, the college has developed excellent relationships with numerous healthcare facilities throughout the region, resulting in high employment opportunities for graduates.

St. Joseph's at Fleming
St. Joseph's at Fleming is the first long-term care facility built on a college or university campus. This new, 200-bed home on our Peterborough campus sets the standard for compassionate care and innovation. Students from more than 20 programs participate in clinical field practice, applied research, and volunteer initiatives within or associated with the facility. St. Joseph's at Fleming also houses the college's Institute for Healthy Aging, which promotes learning and research about best practices in healthy aging, geriatric and long-term care, and creates opportunities for intergenerational programming.

 

Work Experience

The program includes a strong practical component. Students will participate in two work placement experiences, a total of eight weeks in all. Students spend two weeks in a workplace setting in semester two, and four weeks in a workplace setting in semester four, with an additional two weeks planned in the on-site virtual HIM department. Practicum components will not necessarily be in the immediate Peterborough area. Practicum agencies may require proof of immunization.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

This challenging and rigorous program is for those who are interested in a career where healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology. The following attributes and skills are assets for this career path:

• ability/willingness to work as part of a team and independently
• self-motivated
• dedicated to lifelong learning
• organized, with excellent judgment
• analytical, detail-oriented
• customer support oriented

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be qualified for employment in a variety of health service settings and can choose the area that most interests them, including hospitals, chronic and long-term care facilities, community healthcare, mental health agencies, rehabilitation services, private clinics, health information networks, insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and government agencies and services. Your job titles could include Health Record/Information Technician, Coding Specialist, Health Record/Information Administrator, Data Analyst, Data Quality Specialist. Starting salaries per year are in the $40,000 to $45,000 range.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
• 2 Grade 11 or Grade 12 College (C) Science courses
• 1 Grade 11 College (C) Math course

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

All applicants will be required to achieve course credit in the mandatory sciences, through Secondary School or through Academic Upgrading programs.

 

Selection Process

 

Health Requirements

Immunization Requirements

This program has immunization requirements. For more information, and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

 

Additional Costs

You should plan to spend approximately $1200.00 for books and software in your first year ($750.00 of this in first semester) and $650.00 for your second year. As well, in your role as a future HIM professional, you will be expected to join the national and provincial HIM organizations as a student member.

 

University Transfer Agreements

• Ryerson University
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Anatomy and Physiology I	60.00
Business Teams	45.00
Clinical Pathology for HIM I	60.00
Communications for Community Development & Health	45.00
Computer Skills and Applications	45.00
Introduction to Health Information Management	30.00
Medical Terminology I	30.00
Professionalism in Health Care	30.00
Semester 2
Anatomy and Physiology II	60.00
Clinical Pathology for HIM II	60.00
Coding and Classification Systems I	45.00
Health Information Management Applications	30.00
Health Information Management I	45.00
Health Information Management Practicum I	70.00
Medical Terminology II	30.00
General Education Elective
Semester 3
Coding and Classification Systems II	45.00
Communicating at Work	45.00
Database Management	45.00
Health Information Management II	45.00
Health Law	45.00
Health Statistics	45.00
General Education Elective
Semester 4
Applied Research and Epidemiology	45.00
Coding and Classification Systems III	45.00
Comprehensive	15.00
Health Information Management Foundations to Practicum	70.00
Health Information Management Practicum II	140.00
Issues in Diversity	45.00
Utilization Management and Decision Support	60.00

Semester 1

Anatomy and Physiology I

Course Number: SCIE002

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. It will begin with an introduction to the organization and the cellular/tissue basis of the human body. The systems that will be focused on in this course are: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, fundamentals of the nervous system, cardiovascular system (blood, heart, and peripheral vascular), lymphatic, and gastrointestinal.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Business Teams

Course Number: SOCI125

Learn about the movement towards getting work done through teams in organizations, and develop the knowledge and skills to thrive in this area. This course meets the General Education requirements primarily in the areas of Work and the Economy and Social Understanding, as well as touching Civic Life, Personal Development, and Cultural Understanding.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Clinical Pathology for HIM I

Course Number: SCIE105

This course will take a systematic approach to clinical pathology and examine the diseases affecting the various systems of the body. The etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatments, including pharmacological interventions for the various disorders are emphasized.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Communications for Community Development & Health

Course Number: COMM079

Communications for CD&H, a mandatory Communications course, focuses on improving reading and writing skills through a number of assignments related to the helping professions. Students will demonstrate skills in summary and essay writing as well as research techniques, including appropriate documentation of sources. The principles of style, structure, content, and mechanics constitute the overall framework of the course.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Computer Skills and Applications

Course Number: COMP177

This computer course introduces the student to the Fleming College network. It explains the characteristics and use of microcomputer hardware and software in the Fleming College networked environment. The student will learn to use the Windows XP operating system, an e-mail system, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Emphasis will be placed on the application of these systems in the Health Information field.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Health Information Management

Course Number: HLTH155

This highly applied course combines a lecture/lab designed to introduce the student to the patient health record in various health care environments. A brief history of healthcare delivery and record keeping will be followed by an in depth look at health record content, filing systems, access, use, storage, retention and disclosure of health information. In addition students will be introduced to the need for standards in the Health Information Management profession and their responsibilities in respect to privacy.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Medical Terminology I

Course Number: HLTH158

In this course students will learn the components of medical words, how to analyze words by roots, prefixes and suffixes, how to spell, define, pronounce and apply medical words that relate to specific body systems. Common disease terms will be included along with abbreviations, diagnostic tests and clinical procedures.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Professionalism in Health Care

Course Number: HLTH156

This course is to provide a basic understanding of the Canadian healthcare system. The history and current delivery challenges will be explored to set the stage. This course then describes the professional standards that apply to all health care workers-the common ground that everyone shares in providing the highest quality care services for patients. Topics include; the key factors of professionalism, the importance of professionalism, commitment to ones job, who you are as a person and what you contribute to the workplace and practicum, personal skills and how they affect success on the job and professional growth and advancement.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Semester 2

Anatomy and Physiology II

Course Number: SCIE003

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of human anatomy and physiology as they pertain to the following systems: Nervous, Special Senses, Endocrine, Immune, Respiratory, Urinary, Fluids & Electrolytes/Acid-Base, Reproductive including Pregnancy & Birth.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Clinical Pathology for HIM II

Course Number: SCIE106

This course will take a systematic approach to clinical pathology and examine the diseases affecting the various systems of the body. The etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatments, including pharmacological interventions for the various disorders are emphasized.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Coding and Classification Systems I

Course Number: HLTH069

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of ICD-10 and CCI classifications. Coding will relate to the systems of the body previously studied.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Health Information Management Applications

Course Number: HLTH157

HIM Applications is an introductory course to the various software applications specific to HIM that will be used in various other courses. An introduction to Salumatics, Folio and Cactus Abstracting will assist the student in their coding courses and for their Practicum I. Learning the Meditech application will prepare students for their practicum and provide them with an expanded understanding of the value of an integrated health information system and specifically the role admitting plays in data quality.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Health Information Management I

Course Number: HLTH068

This course covers both the uses and sources of healthcare data and the quality and privacy aspects related to both. The history and current practices related to classification systems is introduced in this course. This course will set the stage for the various roles evolving roles and functions involved in health information management with skill development opportunities within these selected roles.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Health Information Management Practicum I

Course Number: FLPL091

This course provides the student with an opportunity to perform selected skills in a Health Information Management related work setting under the supervision of a qualified professional. This two week practicum will provide the student with an opportunity to apply the learned theory and skills taught within the first and second semester. Travel may be required for practicum completion outside of the Peterborough Region.

Units: 70.00
Hours: 70.00

Medical Terminology II

Course Number: HLTH159

This course builds on the knowledge gained in semester one and students will learn to analyse, spell, define, pronounce and apply medical words that relate to specific body systems. Common disease terms will be included along with abbreviations, diagnostic tests and clinical procedures and various therapies.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Semester 3

Coding and Classification Systems II

Course Number: HLTH070

Students will build on the coding knowledge and skills learned in semester II. Coding will relate to the systems of the body currently being studied as well as to the body systems studied in Coding and Classification Systems 1 (HLTH 69). Electronic abstracting will continue to be practiced which was introduced in the HIM applications course in second semester.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Communicating at Work

Course Number: COMM002

This course will enable you to continue to improve your general communication skills to meet the learning outcomes demanded by the assignments in this course, as well as the expectations of other subjects and eventual career employment. This course emphasizes concepts of critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they apply to processes fundamental to effective communication. You will continue to reinforce speaking, writing, reading, and listening techniques common to the expectations demanded by the work place of your career choice by applying, at a more sophisticated level, principles of style, structure, mechanics and techniques (for orals).

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Database Management

Course Number: COMP178

This course will enable learners to determine basic concepts and principles of data base design and management. The focus of the course will be on analysis and interpretation of data base table layout and skill acquisition in modifying, sorting and filtering of existing data base structures and records, using Microsoft Access. The learner will be able to compose selected queries and generate forms and reports of data applicable to the health information workplace environment.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Health Information Management II

Course Number: HLTH074

This third semester HIM course presents the changing role of the HIM professional with an emphasis on the management role. In addition students will be introduced to various principles, tools and concepts involved within the healthcare environment in the planning, evaluation, assessment and accountability of quality service provision.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Health Law

Course Number: LAWS120

Students will learn about health law, especially as it applies to health information managers, and legislation that governs health care practitioners and health facilities and agencies. There will be special emphasis on confidentiality, privacy and security, privacy impact analyses, risk management activities and threat and risk analyses.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Health Statistics

Course Number: MATH059

Learners will explore basic statistical analysis procedures relevant to the health record and health information field and will develop skills required to utilize statistics as an effective decision making tool. Calculation and interpretation of statistical measures will be thoroughly covered. Once the basic measures are mastered, probability and probability distributions will be discussed. Statistical measures, data collection and probability distributions will be brought together to perform statistical inference. The calculation and interpretation of statistical measures will be learned within a format of class time practice, specific course assignments and use of the Excel computer spreadsheet.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 4

Applied Research and Epidemiology

Course Number: HLTH073

This course provides an introduction to research concepts and the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. Students will learn how to apply these concepts and principles to health care data. Calculating epidemiological methods will also be taught.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Coding and Classification Systems III

Course Number: HLTH071

Students will build on the coding knowledge and skills learned in semester I & II. Coding will relate to the systems of the body currently being studied as well as to the body systems studied in Coding and Classification Systems I & II. Students will also continue to improve their skills in coding and abstracting.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Comprehensive

Course Number: HLTH072

In this course students will prepare for the CCHIM Certification Examination by learning about the objectives, format and delivery of the exam and by integrating the knowledge gained during the course. Emphasis will be placed on the assessment of current knowledge and the development of a study plan.

Units: 15.00
Hours: 15.00

Health Information Management Foundations to Practicum

Course Number: FLPL098

Within this Foundations to Practicum course, students will have an opportunity to gain more knowledge to support their individual external practicum project requirements. A combination of applied lab practice activities, HIM related article reviews, student research and other experience that may support the project is planned.

Units: 70.00
Hours: 70.00

Health Information Management Practicum II

Course Number: FLPL092

This four-week external practicum is the final component of the HIM program which represents a capstone learning experience and will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize, integrate and apply learning in a professional environment. Students will pursue the practicum experience in information services in hospitals and other community healthcare facilities, and will be expected to perform tasks expected of the entry level health information practitioner under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Units: 140.00
Hours: 140.00

Issues in Diversity

Course Number: SOCI038

In this course students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity. Specifically, students will focus on topics pertaining to inequality in various social settings, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Incorporating social/legal explanations of diversity, students will develop a clear understanding of the impacted groups and possible strategies of community empowerment.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Utilization Management and Decision Support

Course Number: HLTH075

HIM III integrates theory and knowledge from previous courses within the 2 year program. The focus of the course will be on the organization of utilization management and decision support programs, National and Provincial data sources and MIS Standards. The student will learn to identify areas to monitor for Utilization Management. The development of reporting frameworks, benchmarking and indicators will also be covered within the course.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00