Health Information Management Certificate

A certificate in health information management prepares you to analyze and protect medical data vital to patient care.

Health care organizations rely on medical data to develop treatment plans for patients, but they are inundated with more information every day. Identifying meaningful information is crucial. A health care information management certificate teaches you how to distinguish valuable data from extraneous information.

East Carolina University’s Health Information Management graduate certificate connects health care and technology. Our certificate in health information management prepares you to analyze large amounts of raw data to determine what is useful—and beneficial.

At ECU, we prepare you to apply to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Passing the exam and earning your RHIA credential opens up more professional opportunities.

One-of-a-kind health care information management certificate

ECU’s health information management certificate provides the knowledge and skills you’ll need to serve as the critical link between health care providers, patients, and payers. You can earn your health care information management certificate online, in person or in a hybrid format, full- or part-time, in just one year.

ECU’s certificate in health information management is the only one in North Carolina that qualifies you to apply to the AHIMA to take the RHIA exam.

Why pursue your information management certification at ECU?

Whether you are a health care worker with a knack for technology or an information technology professional exploring health information management, ECU’s health care management information certificate will show you how to gather and evaluate data, and clearly communicate your findings.

Real-world skills

In your health care information management certificate program, you’ll develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of ethical and privacy issues related to health information management.

Health care information management internship

East Carolina University’s health care information management certificate includes an internship where you’ll apply what you are learning. The internship experience not only helps you solidify your skills, it is also a powerful networking opportunity. Moreover, the health information management internship experience can help students compete successfully for entry level supervisory health information management positions in health care settings.

Teaching excellence

The faculty of the HSIM department is constantly engaged in industry-advancing research, including consumer health information management, health care economics and health care leadership.

Several members have received the College of Allied Health Science Dean’s Teaching Award. Others have been recognized as Distinguished Professors for Teaching by the North Carolina Board of Governors.

Courses you will take in the health information management certificate program

If you have a computer or information technology degree, ECU’s certificate in health information management courses will expose you to complexities of the health care industry. If you hold a health-related degree, ECU’s health care information management certificate will help you develop the necessary analytic skills.

Specifically, our health care information management certificate provides an understanding of how:

• The U.S. health care system is organized
• Health information management improves health care effectiveness and efficiency
• Electronic health records and database systems impact health care delivery

Health care information management certificate courses include:

• Health Informatics (HIMA 6060)
• Healthcare Accounting and Financial Administration (COHE 6310)
• Classification Systems (COHE 6460)
• Health Data Structures (COHE 6480)
• Quality Management in Health Care (COHE 6630)
• Management of Health Information Services (COHE 6640)
• Internship in Health Informatics and Information Management (COHE 6803)

Admission pre-requisite courses

Applicants for the HIM Certificate program must demonstrate that they have completed the following prerequisite courses, listed below, prior to an offer of acceptance into the HIM certificate as they cannot be taken concurrently with HIM Certificate courses. The prerequisite courses may be taken at a 2-yr or 4-yr institution.

• Health Care Delivery Systems (HIMA 3120)
• Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (HIMA 3000)
• Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy (BIOL 2130/2131)
• Introduction to Biostatistics (BIOS 1500)
• Introduction to Computers (MIS 2223)
• Human Diseases (HSMA 3115)

*Required*
Applicants must submit the completed prerequisite course Excel worksheet with the application.

What can you do with your health care information management certificate?

Health information management is the key to a strong health care infrastructure. It not only provides the actionable data that leads to positive health outcomes, it helps stakeholders make economic decisions that ensure organizational stability.

Health care information management certificate jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth for health information management at 9% through 2030 which is equal to growth for all occupations. According to salary.com, the average salary of a health information management manager in North Carolina is $91,250.

What roles can you get with your health information management certificate?

Upon graduating with your health information management certificate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the national information management certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator.

After passing this exam, you can secure roles such as:

• Health information management director
• Coding supervisor
• Health information privacy or security officer
• Compliance analyst
• Data integrity analyst
• Electronic Health Record (HER) implementation specialist

Accreditation for health information management certificate at ECU

East Carolina University’s certificate in health care information management is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information management and Information Management Education (CAHIM).