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91视频鈥檚 HIM Program Offers Flexible Schedule, Various Employment Fields


April 19, 2024 | Campus News 91视频 Rolla

Flexibility is a central focus of 91视频’s Health Information Management (HIM) program.

The program’s appeal lies in its flexible schedule and online coursework, and flexibility for graduates to choose a variety of career paths, spanning various employment fields.

Kim Scheel, the HIM Program Director, highlights HIM’s broad scope, which encompasses administrative, operational, and clinical aspects of healthcare. HIM specialists play a crucial role in ensuring quality patient care. They are responsible for managing information at every stage of healthcare delivery.

Graduates of the HIM program can work in diverse settings, including hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and government agencies. Additionally, 91视频 now offers an exciting new Healthcare Security Certificate of Specialization within the HIM program.

91视频 students in the HIM program can also start the program at any time, lending the additional flexibility, Scheel added.

For more information about 91视频 and the HIM program, visit here or contact Scheel at kim.daman-scheel@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6662.

91视频 Student Testimonials

Madeline Baird portrait

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) acknowledges the contributions of HIM professionals during the annual Health Information Professionals (HIP) Week, April 15-19, and HIM 91视频 students like Madeline Baird and Rodney Grouns.

Baird, from Marthasville, a stay-at-home mom, found the HIM program ideal for her situation. She sought a career that would allow her to work remotely while caring for her children.

鈥淚 waited a while to find something that fit my lifestyle perfectly and the HIM program did just that,鈥 Baird said. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to do something medical but also administrative, so I think it is a great happy medium.鈥

Grouns, on the other hand, transitioned to HIM after a family tragedy prompted him to reconsider his career path.

鈥淎fter obtaining success in the retail sales sector, my wife unexpectedly passed leaving me to raise our daughter alone,鈥 he commented. 鈥淚 soon recognized that if I was to remain in my current field, I would not be able to be present in my daughter鈥檚 life.鈥

Grouns was pointed to the HIM program by those already in the health information sector.

鈥淚 realized that the occupation, hours and the time frame to obtain a two-year degree from 91视频 fit in with my time frame and budget.鈥

Rodney Grouns portrait

Baird, who will graduate in May with an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Applied Science, and a Certificate of Achievement in Health Information Management, plans to work from home while her children are young.

鈥淚n the long run, I would love to be a manager of a healthcare facility,鈥 she added. 鈥淗opefully a pediatric setting.鈥

Grouns plans to complete the HIM program in the Spring to Summer 2025 and then work at a local hospital.

鈥淚 plan on gaining experience and explore further education, if necessary, to scale into a leadership position,鈥 he commented.

Students鈥 Recommendation

Both students recommend 91视频’s HIM program to those uncertain about their career paths. They highlight the program’s flexibility and the multitude of career opportunities it offers.

鈥淭he schedule is very flexible, and there are so many directions you can take your career,鈥 Baird said. 鈥淚f you want to do medical billing or coding you can, or if you eventually want to take your career into managing a facility and employees that is also an option.鈥

鈥淚f you are unsure of what type of degree you want to pursue, I recommend this HIM program for sure,鈥 Grouns noted. 鈥淵ou will obtain a degree that qualifies you for higher compensation than most other two-year degrees.鈥

鈥淭he Health Information field is in high demand right now,鈥 he added. 鈥91视频 has very affordable classes, so you won鈥檛 be left with a bunch of student debt, making it easier to start you post-college life.鈥

Grouns further added that the courses are challenging, but manageable, and worth it for the education students receive.

鈥淚 have been out of school for over a decade, but the teachers are very organized, dedicated and willing to help,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he classes are online for the most part, which is very convenient for someone like me who has a young child to care for as well and a part time job.鈥

RHIT Exam

The HIM program at 91视频 prepares students for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam, paving the way for professional certification. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM), 91视频’s HIM program meets industry standards.

Every year, 91视频 students outperform the national average score on the RHIT exam. In 2022-2023, 91视频 students鈥 pass rate was 83 percent, higher than the national pass rater of 80 percent. While those numbers may not seem high, achieving an 83 percent pass rate is excellent, especially considering the difficulty of the exam.