January 10, 2019
Mesa College Offers a Unique and Exciting Medical Career Option in Health Information
Management
By Office of Communications
In March 2015, the California Community College Board of Governors voted unanimously
to approve that San Diego Mesa College offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management (HIM). Mesa College is one of only fifteen community colleges in the state to offer a BA
degree, and made history in 2018 with the first graduating class to receive bachelors
from the College.
Interested in a career in Health Information Management?
Health Information Management (HIM) offers an entrance into the healthcare field for
those with a passion for helping people, along with a strong interest in computers
and data. This profession entails gathering, evaluating, and securing the healthcare
information of patients. Health information managers are responsible for confidential
materials including histories and physical exams; lab results—blood tests, urine tests,
etc.; clinical information—nursing notes, physical therapy notes, and progress reports;
x-rays and other radiology procedures, and more. These professionals are the security
guards to confidential medical information.
It is essential that HIM professionals know and follow the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The HIPAA law implements the ability to transfer
and continue health insurance coverage for millions of American workers and their
families when they change or lose their jobs. It prevents health care fraud and abuse,
mandates industry-wide standards for health care information on electronic billing
and other processes, and requires the protection and confidential handling of protected
health information.
Mesa’s Health Information Management (HIM) Department
Mesa’s Health Information Management Bachelor of Science degree provides accessible, high-quality industry-approved instruction designed to prepare
students to work at a management level in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates
will be able to apply the laws of patient record confidentiality, privacy, and compliance;
use and design data, databases, and healthcare systems; demonstrate and apply knowledge
of the principles of personnel management; develop a financial plan for a health information
management department, and analyze healthcare data.
Students interested in earning a BA degree in Health Information Management are required
to first complete required courses for Health Information Technology (HEIT), which is also available at Mesa College.
Mesa College will begin accepting applications this Spring for the Fall 2019 semester.
For more information, please visit the Health Information Management website.
Tags: HIM, Health Information Management