Health Information Management at Collin
A career in Health Information Management (HIM) will put you at the center of a rapidly growing field that thrives on data. As an HIM professional, you will collect and protect medical information, including patient records and health data. You can help researchers track disease outbreaks, monitor potential health trends and provide up-to-the-minute health information to doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and patients.
All HIM classes are conducted online. A clinical component must also be completed in a Texas health care facility.
Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Management (HIM) at Collin College is a 60-credit hour degree program preparing students for a career in health information management, as a health information professional. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) education. Curriculum is based on the AHIMA Foundation's curricular competencies for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential and is approved by the Texas Higher Education. Upon successful completion of the coursework and the credential exam, facilitated by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the graduate may use the designation RHIT behind their professional signature.
The Collin College Health Information Management program has a partnership with several university partners providing students with 3+1 and 2+2 pathways to baccalaureate degrees. Collin College HIM graduates have the opportunities to continue their studies online and sit for the RHIA certification. These academic agreements maximize the transfer of Collin College credit and allows Collin College students to complete some baccalaureate level courses at Collin College with Collin College's lower tuition costs. For more information, see your Collin College Advisor.
ACCREDITATION
The AAS in Health Information Management is accredited through the CAHIIM. They may be contacted at:
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
312.233.1100
www.cahiim.org
SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the AAS - HIM program is selective and based on a point system. Admission is limited to 25 students per semester. Application deadlines are the 2nd Friday in November and 2nd Friday in May. The application is found on the HIM program website: www.collin.edu/him and should be submitted to the department office via email, fax, or mail by the appropriate deadline.
Eligibility requirements for application to AAS-HIM program:
- Complete Collin College Admission requirements
- Complete Collin College reading, writing and mathematics assessments, placing at the College Level (TSI Testing).
- Overall GPA of 2.5. Please note that a grade of "C" or better must be earned in all HIM specific courses including HITT 1305, and BIOL 2404.
- Successful completion of all prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better. Registration details on the department webpage www.collin.edu/him
- Complete HIM packet. A complete HIM packet includes:
- Completed HIM Application:
- Consent for background check
- Consent for drug screening
- Immunization documentation - List of required immunizations are on the HIM webpage Note: Hepatitis B is typically a 7-month process. The TB screen and flu vaccine have a 12-month expiration
- Signed Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards for Health Information Management Program - Clinical Expectations. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.
- A 500-word essay explaining why you have chosen to become a Health Information professional.
- Two letters of reference from employers or teachers (not family or friends) that can attest to your professionalism. Letters should be emailed to the Program Director.
After Admission
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in all major course work and maintain a 2.5 GPA to continue in the HIM program.
- All Clinical requirements may be found on the webpage at www.collin.edu/him.