Graduates earning an associate degree in health informatics and information management (HIIM), being offered this fall at WVU Potomac State College in Keyser, have many career opportunities available to them, including health data analyst, clinical coding specialist, insurance claims analyst, patient information coordinator, and physician practice manager, among others.
If you’re searching for a unique career that blends three areas of interest – healthcare, technology and business management – then earning a degree in health informatics and information management may be for you. HIIM is for those individuals who want to work in the ever-growing and exciting healthcare field, but prefer not to work on the clinical side of the industry.
The West Virginia University School of Medicine developed the first and only Bachelor of Science degree in HIIM in the state. WVU Potomac State College is pleased to announce that as of fall 2018, students may earn an Associate Degree in HIIM on the Keyser campus. This degree fulfills the requirements for the first two years of the WVU bachelor’s degree in HIIM.
After earning the associate degree, students can elect to take the coding certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Graduates will have gained the skills and knowledge employers need for an entry-level position, or they may choose to transition into the WVU School of Medicine’s four-year degreeprogram on the Morgantown campus.
Professionals in the HIIM field are responsible for designing, developing and managing the infrastructure necessary for the storage, distribution and retrieval of health-related data. They may also perform functions like medical coding, organizing and evaluating data, and observing government compliance while ensuring that patients’ health records are accurate, complete and protected.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, as the population ages, employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.
For more information about the HIIM major, contact Enrollment Services at 304-788-6820 or 800-262-7332, or visit the HIIM landing page at potomacstatecollege.edu. Potomac State College is part of the WVU System and is located on the Keyser campus.