2018-2019 Catalog

Health Information Management Option (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Program Advisor: Charles Kaminski

413-236-2105 • ckaminski@berkshirecc.edu

This flexible program is designed for students seeking a higher credential toward a first-level management position in a professional field requiring a knowledge of Health Information Management systems. In addition to the knowledge and technical skills required for a successful career in Health Information Management, students also study accounting, computer literacy, economics and oral and written communications to pro- vide them with the broad-base skills needed for a successful career in the growing field of health records management and informatics.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Have a basic understanding of the workplace;
  • Recognize, analyze and calculate financial data to make informed decisions;
  • Possess excellent communication skills in the workplace;
  • Demonstrate ethical and social responsibility as they go to work in the real world;
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human body;
  • Demonstrate proficiency in use of ICD and CPT coding systems;
  • Demonstrate computer skills;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system, health care reimbursement and health occupations;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of disease process in relationship to the human body, including pharmacology;
  • Describe the functions of health information services; and
  • Be eligible to take the CCA and CCS credentialing examinations.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

AHS-115Fundamentals of Human Disease

3

AHS-121Essentials of Pharmacology

3

BUS-107Fundamentals of Business

3

BUS-111Principles of Accounting I

3

BUS-112Principles of Accounting II

3

BUS-247Business Communications

3

CIS-102Fundamental Computer Literacy

4

HIM-102Basic Procedure Coding

3

HIM-105Medical Coding I

3

HIM-106Medical Coding II

3

HIM-132Reimbursement Methodologies

3

HIM-144Introduction to Health Information Management

3

Total Credit Hours:37

General Education Courses

BUS-105Business Mathematics

3

-
Or

MAT-
Mathematics

3

-
 

COM-
Communication

3

ECO-211Principles of Microeconomics

3

ECO-212Principles of Macroeconomics

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

6

-
General Education Elective

3

-
Humanities & Fine Arts

3

Total Credit Hours:24

MAT Mathematics : See footnote 1
General Education Elective : See footnote 2

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio 4 items
FORUM 4 units
Health/Fitness 30 hours

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
All Required HIM Courses 2.000

Footnotes

  1. Mathematics to be chosen from any MAT course with the “MA” General Education code.
  2. General Education elective chosen from History (HI), Natural or Physical Science (SC), or Environmental Studies (ES)