Students seeking health informatics programs in Florida have a large number of accredited programs to choose from at universities and colleges all over the state. Healthcare is one of the most in-demand industries for new workers. Graduates of a health informatics program will have no trouble finding employment in a variety of industries. The aging population of Florida means that an extraordinary number of workers in the healthcare industry will be required over the next several years. The transference of most healthcare records to an electronic format means that the technical skills of a health informatics expert will be in more demand than ever.
Below you will find the second half or list of health informatics programs in Florida. Click here for the first half of the list.
Keiser University
Health Care Programs
Keiser University was once a for-profit institution that focused upon career programs. It transitioned into a private, non-profit school in 2011. Established in 1977, the school was founded by Arthur Keiser and his mother. The school’s programs were designed to prepare students for jobs in healthcare and business. Today, the university’s programs feature several interesting courses of study like:
- Fire Science
- Golf Management
- Sport Management
In addition, the school offers programs in traditional areas like:
- the culinary arts
- business
- education
- healthcare
The school also offers scholarships to:
- members of the military
- individuals retired from active service
- dependents of members of the military
Associate of Science in Health Information Management
Students who enter Keiser’s program in Health Information Management will have access to many different careers in technology and healthcare. Jobs usually entail work with essential health care data that requires adherence to strict security protocol. Employees also work with different technologies and programs used in the digital world and healthcare today. Students may expect to study for 21 months to complete the program.
Program objectives include knowledge of how to maintain the quality of health records by verifying their completeness and accuracy. In addition, students will gain expertise in utilizing computer programs routinely used in healthcare. Students will know how to interpret data in healthcare records to help maintain a high standard of care for patients, as well as keep costs down. Beyond the technical knowledge, students also learn valuable:
- critical-thinking skills
- problem-solving techniques
- how to become effective communicators in the healthcare sector
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
The bachelor’s degree in HIM at Keiser Universitytrains students to become experts at handling healthcare records in many areas such as:
- the financial department
- administrative areas
- clinical settings
The program may be completed in as few as three and a half years. It also places students on a track toward earning enough credits to become a Registered Health Information Technician. This designation requires sitting for the Registered Health Information Administrator Certification Exam. Some of the jobs that students may seek after graduation from the program include working in:
- doctors’ offices
- consulting firms
- information technology companies
- insurance companies
Some of the responsibilities in the workforce include acting as a link between healthcare providers and patients, as well as payers. Students will know:
- how to manage the enormous amount of information present in a patient’s file and medical records
- how to use the information to streamline the healthcare process
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale
1500 Northwest 49th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954.776.4456
admissions@keiseruniversity.edu
Program Website
Lake-Sumter State College
Health Information Management & Technology
Established in 1962, Lake-Sumter State College was created through the efforts of citizens in Lake County and Sumter County. The school first operated as a local community college under the state system. It eventually grew to include three campuses in:
- Clermont
- Leesburg
- Sumterville
The school has around 8,000 students attending classes at its three campuses. Its motto of “Where Futures Soar,” is appropriate since the nickname for the school’s sports team is the Lake Hawks. The college offers a variety of associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as several certificates in vocational and technology fields. Students may choose to continue their studies at local universities like the University of Central Florida and St. Leo University. They have special partnerships with Lake-Sumter State College.
Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
The curriculum at Lake-Sumter State College has been designed with essential knowledge and classes for health informatics programs in Florida. Graduates are able to ensure that the information used in healthcare today is wielded responsibly and accurately during care. Students may expect to find employment in a variety of settings after graduation. In addition, students may seek further training or certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator. This requires a bachelor’s degree. A Registered Health Information Technician requires an associate degree.
Health information technology experts are essential in the healthcare delivery cycle and the quality. The efficiency of patient care often depends upon the talents of these trained healthcare professionals. Since the program at Lake-Sumter State College is accredited through CAHIIM, graduates will be prepared to take the national exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician. In the past few years, graduates of this program have scored very well on the licensing exam.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Lake-Sumter State College
1405 County Road 526A
Sumterville, FL33585
Phone: 352.568.0001
admissionsoffice@lssc.edu
Program Website
Miami Dade College
School of Health Sciences Medical Campus
Established in 1959, Miami Dade College is part of the state college system and has eight campuses around the Miami-Dade area. With over 161,000 students, the system is the largest in Florida and is also the second largest school in the United States. The main campus is in downtown Miami. The original campus was a junior college, but expansion soon hit, and additional facilities were built over the next several decades. The school bears the distinction as the first integrated junior college in Florida when it started accepting applications from African American students and recent Cuban exiles.
Associate in Science Health Information Program
The college suggests that professionals in the area of health information are in high demand in many different healthcare settings. With the expertise that graduates bring in data collection and analysis, students may find their talents useful in areas like:
- acute care facilities
- nursing homes
- doctor’s offices
- extended care facilities
The program in Health Information Management at Miami Dade requires two years of study. Students must complete 67 credits to graduate with their Associate degree. The college recommends that students complete the general education requirements for the degree program. They should then apply to the official program after which students will take healthcare-centric classes. The college suggests that the program requires dedication from students. Attending full time without concentrating on a job at the same time is the best way to excel in the program. Upon graduation, students may need to take certain additional classes to comply with state licensing requirements.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Miami Dade College
950 NW 20 Street
Miami, FL 33127
Phone: 305.237.4156
admissions@mdc.edu
Program Website
Palm Beach State College
Health Science
Palm Beach State College was established in 1933 and was once known as Palm Beach Junior College. Today, the college has almost 50,000 students enrolled and is located in Lake Worth, Florida. The school started offering bachelor’s degrees in 2009. The first bachelor’s degree offered was a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision & Management. Interestingly, the school occupied a deactivated Army Air Force Base for a time in the 1940s before it was relocated in Lake Worth in the 1950s and started growing into its modern version. Other major sites served by the college include:
- Belle Glade
- Boca Raton
- Palm Beach Gardens
Associate in Science Health Information Technology
Palm Beach College has the only associate degree program in Palm Beach County that’s accredited by CAHIIM. Upon graduation from the school’s program, students are eligible to sit for the official exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician. The school suggests that its program is designed to ensure students are experts in several vital areas like:
- health data collection
- monitoring
- analysis
- maintenance
- reporting activities
Health data is utilized for a variety of things in healthcare including billing for services and compliance with healthcare standards. With the changeover of today’s medical records to electronic filings, the role of a health information technology expert is more vital than ever. Students take half of their classes at the campus in Lake Worth. The other half of their classes are through the school’s online option. The program features valuable interaction with technology. It allows students to exit the program with significant knowledge of today’s computer systems used in electronic health records.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33461
Phone: 561.967.7222
enrollmt@palmbeachstate.edu
Program Website
Pensacola State College
Allied Health Department
Once known as Pensacola Junior College, today’s Pensacola State College is part of the state system of colleges around the state of Florida. The campus first opened in 1948 when buildings were constructed in Pensacola. The college was the first of its kind in Pensacola. Administrators spent the next few years expanding upon the college’s offerings and space. Around 36,000 students attend school at Pensacola State College which more than 120 different areas of concentration. Many of the school’s resources are updated and provide students with a technologically advanced curriculum. The school offers associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as vocational certificates and high school classes for adults.
Health Information Technology (HIT-AS) Program
The Health information technology program takes students two years to complete. It ensures that graduates have the analytical and problem-solving skills to navigate the world of electronic health information and records. As a CAHIIM accredited program, students may sit for the national qualifying exam and become a Registered Health Information Technician.
Students must take three classes as prerequisites. Each must be passed with a grade of “C” or above before the student may formerly enter the program. A few of the classes students take during the program include:
- Health Information Technology Professional Practice I
- Introduction to Coding and Classification Systems
- Medical Statistics and Financial Applications
Some of the classes students need to take are only offered once a year. It’s important that students map out a schedule that will allow them to complete all of the program’s requirements in a timely manner. Students may work with an advisor to make sure they’re getting all the classes they need.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Pensacola State College
1000 College Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32504
Phone: 850.484.1000
askus@pensacolastate.edu
Program Website
Polk State College
Health Sciences
With around 20,000 students, Polk State College offers classes in the Winter Haven area of Florida, as well as at the campus in Lakeland. One of the interesting features of the PSC program is that students can earn an Associate degree while completing education requirements for high school. There are also programs that combine different specialties and focuses, so students may enjoy a very well-rounded education. To be eligible for the high school program, students must maintain a certain GPA and also pass a standardized entry test. Students at the college also have access to several great athletic teams in sports like:
- soccer
- volleyball
- soccer
Health Information Management, AAS
Students who want to work in the health information sector will find the program at Polk State College a valuable investment of time. According to the school, the increased demand for workers in this area has created terrific job opportunities. As one of the accredited health informatics programs in Florida, students are required to take a variety of courses that may be accomplished in a variety of formats:
- online
- hybrid
- Fastrack schedules
In addition, students may take a very traditional approach by attending classes during the day or during the night at the campus. Some of the environments in which students take classes include:
- laboratories
- lectures
- a clinical practicum
Depending on the interests of the student, program completion will result in an Associate in Science or an Associate in Applied Science degree. To gain entry into the program, students must have a 2.00 GPA or higher and have a grade of “C” or better in all classes required for prerequisites.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Polk State College
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863.297.1000
admissions@polk.edu
Program Website
Santa Fe Community College
Business Programs
Around 6,400 students attend SFCC, which is not to be confused with the college of a similar name in New Mexico. Santa Fe College is a state college located in Gainesville and is a member of the state college system in Florida. Established in 1966, the school was built in Gainesville, but expanded over the years to include several learning centers in the area. The college was originally established when voters and the Florida legislature decided that local students would benefit if they had access to higher education in the Gainesville area. The college began offering bachelor’s degrees in addition to its associate’s degrees in 2008.
Health Information Technology – AS Degree
To receive an Associate of Science degree in Health Information Technology, students must complete 70 credits. The school suggests that graduates play an important role in maintaining and collecting the data used in healthcare and by doctors today. Graduates may work in a variety of settings like:
- hospitals
- clinics
- doctors’ offices
- long-term care facilities
The program is completed online and has a high passing rate for students who decide to take the national certification exam after graduation. The school says that 98% of its graduates pass the test on the first try and that 100% of students pass it on their second try. Since the program is accredited, students are eligible to take the exam to become an RHIT. Students may choose to enter the program as a full-time student or part-time student. The full-time schedule takes 2 years to complete, and the part-time schedule requires 3 years for completion.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Santa Fe Community College
3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
Phone: 352.395.5000
julie.shay@sfcollege.edu
Program Website
Seminole State College
Health Information Management
With over 32,000 students, Seminole State College is the eight-largest college in Florida’s state system. The college was founded in 1965 when the state legislature chartered what would then be known as Seminole Junior College. The college grew swiftly and had thousands of students by the 1970s. Like other community colleges in Florida, the school’s trustees recently enhanced the school’s offerings by starting to offer bachelor’s degrees in 2009. The school is one of the largest employers for residents of Seminole County.
Associate in Science Degree, Health Information Technology
Students in the Seminole State College program in Health Information Technology will learn how to interpret medical documents and the official processes required to keep those documents secure. The medical industry is moving toward a wholly electronic storage of medical records and requires experts in technology who know how to deal with these documents. Some of the topics covered in the curriculum include:
- database management
- health law
- health information technology
The program features guidance on skills like:
- effective communication skills
- improvement of healthcare
- financial issues common in the industry
Students may seek work in a variety of venues after graduation including work as:
- a medical coder
- consultant for private practice
- information security
The school encourages students to meet with an advisor prior to course selection so the student chooses the right courses to ensure a timely graduation. The school also offers a variety of scholarships and financial assistance.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Seminole State College
100 Weldon Boulevard
Sanford, FL 32773
Phone: 407.708.4722
admissions@seminolestate.edu
Program Website
St. Johns River State College
Allied Health
A state college situated in northeast Florida, St. Johns River State College has offered classes to students since 1958. Over the years, the school has expanded to include additional campuses in:
- St. Augustine
- Orange Park
- Palatka
There are somewhere between 7,500 and 8,000 students enrolled at St. Johns River who may choose from a variety of associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. In its history, the school has produced several talented baseball players, including:
- Howie Kendrick
- Bill Swaggerty
- Rick Surhoff
Associate in Science Degree Health Information Technology
Students who enroll in this program study a variety of skills necessary for work in the industry of healthcare including:
- health data collection
- regulatory standards
- legal concerns
- quality control of record keeping
After graduation, students in health informatics programs in Florida may work as:
- data quality managers
- medical coders
- clinical data specialists
Students must take a variety of classes like:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Microcomputer Applications
- Introduction to Healthcare Delivery System
To enroll in the fall, students should apply between April 1 and May 15. The school suggests that students who graduate will become innovators in their profession and will contribute to the industry with confidence and strong problem-solving skills. After earning an associate degree in HIT students will be able to sit for the official national credentialing exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
St. Johns River State College
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: 904.808.7465
alliedhealthprograms@sjrstate.edu
Program Website
St. Petersburg College
As a state college located in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg College is part of the state college system in Florida. There are a number ofbachelor’s degrees offered at the college, as well as associate degrees. The school has over 65,000 students enrolled, as well as 11 different campuses and learning centers.f Locations include four in St. Petersburg and several more in cities like:
- Seminole
- Clearwater
- Largo
The college was founded in 1927 by the superintendent of schools in Pinellas County, Captain George M. Lynch. It was initially a private, non-profit institution before it became part of the state school system.
Health Information Technology A.S. Degree
St. Petersburg College says that students with health information technology training play an important role in today’s healthcare environment where accuracy and security of patient records is essential. The program is designed to allow students to enter the workforce swiftly. They are also able to find advancement in the industry if they are already involved in healthcare.
The school also describes its program as affordable. It features hands-on experience through practical courses held at working healthcare sites like:
- nursing homes
- rehabilitation facilities
- acute care hospitals
Students are eligible to sit for the national licensing exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician through the American Health Information Management Association. Graduates may expect to be a competitive applicant for jobs in management. Students are expected to demonstrate a variety of characteristics and skills when they earn their degree including:
- visual acuity
- motor skills
- critical thinking skills
- effective written and verbal communication skills.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
St. Petersburg College
P.O. Box 13489
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Phone: 727.341.4772
information@spcollege.edu
Program Website
University of Central Florida
College of Health and Public Affairs
The University of Central Florida is a public research university in Orlando. It’s a member of the state university system and is also the second largest university in the country with almost 60,000 students enrolled. Established in 1963, the university was part of the large creation of state schools in Florida in the early 1960s. The school’s original purpose was to offer students a direct route from study at the college to work at the nearby Kennedy Space Center. The college was once known as “Florida Tech,” but was renamed in the late 1970s.
B.S. in Health Information and Information Management
Students learn about a variety of topics in this upper-division, limited-access program including:
- systems analysis
- pharmacology
- medical coding
The curriculum is designed to offer a balance of practical experience and theoretical study. Students take part in a supervised healthcare setting during study. They’re also eligible to take the National Registration Exam for the American Health Information Management Association. The school suggests that demand is high for the program, so enrollment is limited.
Acceptance to the university doesn’t necessarily mean that a student will be able to enroll in the program. A separate application is required of students. Upon graduation, the school suggests that students will find their skills and degree in high demand with local healthcare facilities. Students must undergo a criminal background check to ensure they may be legally employed to work with healthcare records. Students also have access to a variety of scholarship opportunities in the program, as well as the ability to obtain financial aid.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Health Management and Informatics
College of Health and Public Affairs
University of Central Florida
HPA II – Suite 210
4364 Scorpius Drive
Orlando, FL 32816
Phone: 407.823.2359
Program Website
Students who are technologically inclined and would like to work within the healthcare industry would do well to consider a program in health informatics. As one of the strongest areas of the economy, healthcare training represents a solid investment of tuition and time for anyone looking to advance their career. The great number of health informatics programs in Florida ensures that students may attend classes anywhere they choose in a variety of learning formats.