BS in Health Informatics and Information Management

The Profession

Are you aware that you have health information - commonly known as medical records - at your private physician's office, the hospital where you are admitted or treated on an outpatient basis, or the neighborhood health clinic? Did you know that a trained health professional is needed to maintain this health information and to provide it to other professionals?

A career in health information management combines the exciting, challenging world of medicine with computerization, business, and management into one excellent career choice. While health information management (HIM) professionals possess skills similar to those of other business professionals, they must draw from a broader base of knowledge. Their knowledge of business and science is combined with knowledge of law and medicine. While HIM professionals may not be as visible to the public as the physician, nurse, or other health professional, their presence is vital to keeping the facility functioning smoothly.

Health information management professionals' knowledge of computer systems, health law, medical documentation and organizational management is essential to hospitals, nursing homes, law firms, outpatient clinics, insurance companies, physicians' offices, consulting firms, colleges or universities, or government agencies - any organization that deals with healthcare.

Career Opportunities

This is a great time to enter this field. The education you receive at UTHSC will prepare you to be successful in numerous positions in the health care fields. The variety of jobs is endless. As with any dynamic, rapidly growing profession, advancement depends on a personal commitment to life-long learning to keep up with the changes in the health field and in technology. Health Information Managers are qualified for many different types of positions. Some graduates direct or manage entire Health Information Management Departments or an area of a department in a larger health facility. Quality improvement and research positions are increasing. Many graduates develop an interest in the technical aspects of information management and assume positions in information management. Our graduates report back that they feel competent and confident in their jobs because of the excellent educational foundation received at UTHSC

What are the educational requirements for the BS in Health Information Management?

You must complete 72 (seventy-two) semester hours of pre-professional courses prior to admission to the one calendar year (48) semester hours at UTHSC to receive a B.S. degree in Health Information Management.