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University of Pittsburgh    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Dec 04, 2024
 
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Health Information Management, BS


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Accurate, reliable patient data is critical to health professionals, and the health information management department is the key health center for medical staff, administrators, other health professionals, and the community. Due to the increased presence of technology as a key component of health care delivery and the need for quality health care data, more HIM professionals are finding career opportunities in data analytics, business intelligence and in the information systems environment, where they analyze and use health care data, develop, market, and implement software; ensure that systems comply with standards and regulations, and work in support of quality, privacy, and security.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information professionals as one of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the US.  On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await HIM graduates.  More than half of new HIM graduates with a bachelor’s degree start with salaries in the $40-50,000 range.  Please visit www.AHIMA.org for more information on career paths. In addition to course work, the HIM program includes 4 different clinical education experiences, which provide valuable hand-on learning to the HIM student.   
 
The health information management program is accredited by the Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Following satisfactory completion of all course requirements, the graduate will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science and students are eligible to sit for the RHIA (http://www.ahima.org/certification/RHIA) credentialing examination administered by the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) an affiliate of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) during their last semester of study. For more information, see http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/him/. Results from the 2016 outcomes assessment reported to CAHIIM in the 2017 Annual Program Report (APAR) indicate a 100% employer satisfaction rate, a 100% graduate satisfaction rate and a 100% pass rate National Certification Exam. 

Contact Information:

Mervat Abdelhak, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA, Chair

Department of Health Information Management

6051 Forbes Tower

412-383-6650

Fax:  412-383-6655

E-mail:  him@pitt.edu

http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/HIM/

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted into the health information management program after successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits, including the following prerequisite courses:

  • General Biology - 3 Credits
  • Communication/Public Speaking - 3 Credits
  • Information Science/Computer Science (must include a programming course) - 9 Credits
  • General Writing - 6 Credits
  • Mathematics* - 2-3 Credits
  • General Psychology - 3 Credits
  • Statistics* - 3-4 Credits
  • Humanities/Social Sciences - 6 Credits

*A combination of 6 credits of math and statistics is required.

Other admission criteria include minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 (based on 4.00), and minimum of a C- grade in all courses designated as prerequisite (C required for credit transfer from other institutions); volunteer or paid work experience in the field of health information management is recommended.

Pitt Students (including regional campuses)

Complete the SHRS ApplyYourself online application. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students must apply to the University of Pittsburgh by completing the Office of Admission and Financial Aid’s Transfer Application and selecting Health Information Management as their intended field of study. International transfer students click here.

All applicants must:

  • Submit a personal essay-a brief statement discussing why you are interested in the Undergraduate Program in Health Information Management, your professional goals including how and when you became interested in this field of study. You may also include other areas of interest, extra-curricular activities and leadership experiences;
  • Submit one letter of recommendation. Recommendation from a college instructor/professor, recent supervisor, or academic advisor preferred;
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended;
  • Applications can be submitted when course requirements are in progress.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Part-Time Study

Students may pursue this program on a part-time basis. A meeting with the appropriate advisor is recommended.

Progression for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Provision for transfer of credits may be made for those students who have satisfactorily completed a junior college health information technology program accredited by the Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). In addition, the HIM department has an articulation agreement with the Health Information Technology Program at the Community College of Allegheny County, enabling qualified graduates of the HIT program to matriculate into the HIM program at the University of Pittsburgh as juniors.

Clinical Education


Health Information Management undergraduate students participate in four different clinical education (CE) internships that facilitate a deeper understanding of the professional practice aspects of health information and related health-care areas. The overall goal of the clinical education is to provide students with practical experiences to apply their knowledge and skills that they develop as they progress through the HIM curriculum. Each internship experience provides the HIM student with a different focus, and the opportunity for the student to interact with HIM professionals as well as other professionals in the health care field.

The HIM department has affiliation agreements with approximately 200+ clinical sites for student internships. The following list provides a sample of these sites: 

  • Adelphoi Village (behavioral health)
  • Allegheny Valley Hospital
  • Center for Connected Medicine
  • Country Meadows Nursing Home
  • creehan & company
  • Diskriter, Inc.
  • Geisinger Health System
  • Heritage Valley Health Center
  • Intermountain Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Jameson Health System
  • M*Modal
  • MedAllies
  • PA Department of Corrections
  • The Innovation Center of UPMC
  • Trinity Health System
  • UCLA Medical Center
  • University of Pittsburgh Dental Informatics
  • University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (Hillman Cancer Center)
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC Health System
  • UPMC Physician Services Division 
  • Wheeling Hospital
  • WVU Healthcare

 

Prerequisites for Clinical Education:

Students must complete certain requirements to be eligible to participate in clinical education. The HIM Clinical Education Coordinator will provide detailed information and time guidelines for completion of these requirements once the student matriculates into the HIM program.

  • Physical examination including proof or completion of specific immunizations
  • TB test, 2-step
  • Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance
  • FBI Background Check (includes fingerprinting)
  • HIPAA Training and Certification
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Training and Certification
  • Students must carry personal health insurance while participating in clinical education
  • Students must carry professional student liability insurance coverage while participating in clinical education. This coverage is provided by the SHRS group insurance plan and will appear as a charge on the students’ tuition bill.
  • Some sites may have additional requirements (i.e. drug screen, influenza vaccine, or orientation programs specific to their organization).
  • Clinical Education sites may not allow a student to participate in an internship at their site if the background check reports that they have been convicted of a misdemeanor; a felony; or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.
  • Current year Flu Shot

Additional Information:

  • Travel to clinical education sites is the responsibility of the student. Students are expected to have a car or to provide their own transportation to all remote sites; no exceptions will be made. Not all sites are accessible by public transportation.
  • All expenses for transportation, parking, meals, and costs of prerequisites associated with clinical education are the responsibility of the student.
  • Approximate cost for clearances is $100 annually, and costs for physical exam and immunization status are dependent on health insurance coverage and provider costs.
  • Approximate cost for drug screen is $40.

For more information on Clinical Education, email Patti Anania Firouzan, HIM Clinical Education Coordinator: patti@pitt.edu.

The Pitt Freshman Guarantee

All incoming Pitt freshmen choosing the Pre-Health Information Management major will be granted guaranteed admission for the Master of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Health Information Management (at regional Pitt campuses, choose corresponding codes).

Program Curriculum


Total Prerequisite Credits: 60


Total SHRS Credits: 63


Total Credits: 123


*Students take the RHIA Registration Exam

Note: For part-time and registered health information technician students, HIM Clinical Education HIM 1440 , HIM 1460 , HIM 1480 , and HIM 1495  and HIM 1496  (Capstone Course in HIM) may be taken in any term with permission of advisor and the instructor after the appropriate prerequisite courses have been completed.

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