Health Information Systems Degree to be Offered at UC Clermont College

UC Clermont College will soon be offering a new associate degree in Health Information Systems. The Ohio Board of Regents just announced the approval of this new degree. 
 
Health Information Systems is designed for students who desire an associate degree focusing on organizing and managing health information by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility and security.
 
“The Health Information Systems Degree is an exciting pathway to a career in health care that is challenging and in demand. Health Information Technicians serve a vital role in the management of health care.” said Karen Lankisch, RHIA, and Program Director.

Graduates of the program will be experts in applying data management process in support of health care information operations in a variety of organizations. Graduates of the Health Information Systems program may work in a number of settings including: acute care hospitals, physicians’ offices and clinics, long term care facilities, home health agencies, and insurance companies. Jobs include clinical coder, coding manager, clinical data collections, and reporting specialist or reimbursement specialists.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment for medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than average and job prospects should be very good with employment projected to increase 20 percent or more (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm). In addition, the regional outlook for Southwest Ohio Economic Development specifically states a 26.4 percent increase in job openings.
 
“We are responding to a growing need in our region for trained health care professionals in this discipline. We are so pleased the Ohio Board of Regents has given us the go-ahead to begin this program at the college,” said Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Mary Stearns.

This program will give students a career ladder with multiple exit points. They may choose to enter the workforce with a certificate, choose to complete an associate degree and become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or opt to continue their education and become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

The one-year Medical Biller Coder certificate offered online will integrate with the new Health Information Systems program. In addition, UC’s College of Allied Health Sciences, has a baccalaureate and a new masters degree in Health information Management. Students that graduate from the Health Information Systems program at UC Clermont and successfully pass the RHIT exam may seamlessly transition to the College of Allied Health Sciences.
 
For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Karen Lankisch, RHIA, at karen.lankisch@uc.edu