Health Information Management Services
Health information technicians are professionals who analyze patient records, report patient data for reimbursement and create disease registries for researchers. You’ll be part of a health care team without having direct patient contact. Associate of applied science degree graduates of our Health Information Management Services program are eligible to take the national qualifying examination required for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Admission to our HIMS program is selective. To apply, you are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent with at least a C average. You must achieve acceptable pre-enrollment assessment scores or complete recommended skill-building/prescriptive work with at least a C average, prior to enrolling in HIMS courses. If you are transferring from another program of study, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. |
Program OptionsAssociate of Applied ScienceDiplomaCertificateprogram overviewcourse descriptionscourse sequence Our HIMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). |
Program Mission Statement
The HIMS program prepares health information students with entry-level competencies as defined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which are nationally accepted standards of practitioner roles and functions. In addition the program offers students the opportunity to gain a foundation in medical coding, reimbursement, data management, revenue management, and administrative medical office skills within a medical facility as set forth in their individual programs of study. The program identifies and responds to the needs of area employers.
- What will it cost?
- How long will it take?
Finish in 2 years by completing 14-17 credits a semester for 4 semesters and 1 summer session
The length of time to complete a program is based on a student taking only the courses required for the program as listed in our online catalog. It does not include the cost of foundations courses that may be required based on assessment scores, retaking courses or taking courses that are not required by your program of study.
Your adviser will develop a plan of study to meet your personal needs.
HIMS Advising Contacts
For HIMS Degree:
Shawna Stump, RHIA Program Director
3134 W. Highway 34
P.O. Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903
308-398-7389
[email protected]
Barbara Marsh, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P
3134 W. Highway 34
P.O. Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903
308-398-7805
[email protected]
Joni Schlatz, MS, RHIT
3134 W. Highway 34
P.O. Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903
308-398-7903
[email protected]
- Keep a copy of the HIMS Handbook with detailed information about the HIMS Program area. You will receive the information in the HIMS 1250 Intro to Health Information Management course.
- Additional program costs not covered by financial aid include student in practicum insurance, immunizations, and a background check.
- Minimum Grade Requirement: Students enrolled in HIMS must achieve a minimum "C" grade in all courses to successfully graduate from the program. Students who do not meet the minimum grade will be required to repeat the course. In addition, a higher-level course, which requires the course as a prerequisite, may not be taken until satisfactory completion is achieved.
- CCC schedules courses on a 16 week semester with courses starting in August, January, and a 10 week session starting in May. Refer to the CCC web site for specific dates and course listings.
- ALL HIMS courses are available via Online Learning (web) format. There may be individual course requirements which mandate the student to make arrangements to come to campus or use available Internet audio and video services to communicate. The student will need to make arrangements as required.
- To be eligible to sit for the national RHIT exam, an applicant must be a:
- high school graduate, completed an approved home school program or have passed a standard equivalency test (G.E.D.) And
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree graduate from an accredited Health Information Management Program (HIMS) program.
The Health Information Management Services accreditor of Central Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for an Associate degree in Health Information Management Services has been reaffirmed through 2027-2028. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312-235-3255; or by email at [email protected].
Student Outcomes |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-2023 |
Graduation Rate |
10.4% |
15.7% |
10.1% |
Employment Rate |
100% |
80% |
87.5% |
Retention Rate |
64.6% |
61.86% |
65.7% |
Student Satisfaction Rate |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
50% |
|
100% |
Grant funding supported by the Administration for Children and Families and contents are solely the responsibility of the authors.