Are you curious about health informatics programs in Colorado? With a reputation for being health conscious, this western state is home to a big chunk of the Rocky Mountains and three of the United States’ fittest metropolitan areas. This is according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.
Despite its citizens’ good health habits, Colorado, like the rest of the country, is seeing a surge in the demand for health care. Federal mandates require the medical establishment to shift to electronic medical records. The need for professionals trained in the secure management of computerized health care information systems is increasing. Many of the state’s colleges and universities now offer quality health informatics degree programs to prepare students to meet this rising need.
Arapahoe Community College
Department of Health Careers
Denver’s first community college, Arapahoe Community College, opened in 1965. It has three campuses. It provides accessible, career-oriented educational programs in traditional, hybrid and online formats. The college offers more than 85 certificates and degrees in:
- accounting
- technology
- health care
- business
- criminal justice and many other areas
Its Department of Health Careers presents programs in topics like:
- health information technology
- medical laboratory technology
- medical office technology
- phlebotomy
- human performance
- nursing
- mortuary science
There are also programs available for individuals interested in careers as:
- physical therapist assistants
- emergency medical technicians
- activities professionals
- eldercare specialists
- nurse’s aides
- pharmacy technicians
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree program at Arapahoe Community College is a two-year program. It helps students become proficient in the technical skills and knowledge required to effectively manage and organize health information. The majority of the coursework for this program is online. The two practicum courses are not.
In order to complete their associates degrees, students must earn a total of 66 credits with a grade of “C” or better in all courses. This is comprised of 51 credits in courses related to the major and 15 credits in general education courses. After graduation, students are eligible to take the national Registered Health Information Administrator certification exam. They will be qualified to pursue entry-level opportunities in the health informatics field in a wide variety of health care settings.
Accreditation
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
5900 South Santa Fe Drive
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303.797.5603
cindy.johnson@arapahoe.edu
Program Website
Front Range Community College
Allied Health
Colorado’s largest community college is Front Range Community College. It has:
- three campuses
- a learning center
- several outreach sites
- a vibrant online learning program
Student success is its guiding priority. The college works to prepare students for careers in the real world with:
- dedicated faculty
- cutting-edge technology
- general education credits that are guaranteed to transfer to any four-year college in Colorado
Its Allied Health Department offers certificates and associates degree programs in:
- health information technology
- physical education
- early childhood education
- health professions
- elementary education
- medical office technology
- emergency medical services
- pharmacy technician
- health and wellness
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
Students in Front Range Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree program learn to obtain, analyze and secure traditional and digital medical information. Students are provided with a foundational knowledge in health informatics areas, including:
- medical
- legal
- financial
- ethical
Students receive a thorough grounding in the technical skills needed to manage health information. To receive their associate degrees, students are required to earn a total of 64 credits. This is comprised of:
- 49 credits in core curriculum coursework
- 15 credits in general education
Program graduates are eligible to take the national Registered Health Information Administrator certification exam. They will also be prepared to join the workforce in professional positions in various health care settings. Jobs could include:
- records technician specialists
- patient information coordinators
- health data analysts
- coders
- insurance claims analysts
- release of information specialists
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
3645 West 112th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80031
Phone: 303-404-5293
Debra.Charles@frontrange.edu
Program Website
Regis University
Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions
Founded in 1877, Regis University is one of just 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. It’s a constant presence on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of best universities in the West. The university is well regarded for its dedication to preparing students to be a positive forces in today’s complicated global society. Its Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions offers innovative degree and certificate programs. They combine rigorous academics with flexible learning options. These give students the knowledge and skills necessary for them to serve their communities in a variety of health professions.
Bachelors of Science in Health Information Management
Regis University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program typically requires 24 to 30 months to complete. The degree program is totally online, making it convenient to earn the degree while still working full-time. Flexible weekly assignments offer virtual experiential learning in both coding and health care information systems. In addition, the management practicum allows students to practice problem solving and decision making while forging important professional connections.
To earn their bachelor’s degrees, students must earn a total of 128 credits in health information management core curriculum coursework and general education coursework. By completing the program, graduates earn their bachelor’s degrees and health care administration minors. They will also be able to take the national Registered Health Information Administrator credential exam. Graduates will be ready to pursue a broad array of professional positions as:
- technicians
- consultants
- managers
These are available in virtually all kinds of health care settings.
Related: How Much Does a Health Information Manager Earn?
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
3333 Regis Boulevard
Denver, CO 80221-1099
Phone: 800-388-2366
healthcare@Regis.edu
Program Website
Colorado is the nation’s ninth healthiest state in America’s Health Rankings, an assessment by:
- the United Health Foundation
- the American Public Health Association
- the Partnership for Prevention
But even this health conscious state is seeing an increasing demand for quality healthcare and the skilled professionals who can securely manage the computerized systems responsible for maintaining the resulting medical records. Prospective college students investigating health informatics programs in Colorado will find several excellent undergraduate degree programs to consider.