Health Informatics Programs in Maine

Searching for accredited health informatics programs in Maine? You will be happy to learn that there are two excellent degrees to choose from that have been given the stamp of approval by the CAHIIM.

“Vacationland” is perhaps best known for its:

  • lobstering
  • blueberry production
  • lumber
  • shipbuilding
  • tourism

Maine is also home to a fast-growing healthcare sector to ensure its over 1.3 million residents and millions of visitors receive high-quality medical services. The state continues to make the switch to electronic health records. So there will be an especially high demand for Maine to add on to the 1,130 health information technicians employed here.

Read on to learn more details about the two degree programs available in Maine for training health informatics professionals.

Beal College

Division of Healthcare Studies

Beal College is situated on a beautiful 20-acre suburban campus in the state’s third most populous city at Bangor in the heart of northeastern Maine. It’s a small comprehensive two-year private proprietary institution with fewer than 1,000 students. It’s well-known for offering a unique eight-week “Mod” system of learning. This  enables working professionals to fit college classes into their busy lives. Beal College offers accredited:

  • one-year certificate
  • two-year associate degree
  • one bachelor’s degree program

In the Division of Healthcare Studies, students can choose from programs in:

  • health information management
  • medical assisting
  • human services assisting
  • substance abuse counseling

Associate Degree in Health Information Management (HIM)

The Associate Degree in Health Information Management (HIM) program is for students pursuing careers as health information technicians. The program builds the essential skills for gathering and organizing electronic health records to ensure healthcare providers have access to accurate up-to-date patient information.

It features small class sizes. The program takes on a strong practical approach to learning by providing students with hands-on experience working with health information systems. It culminates with a 160-hour externship. After completing the CAHIM accredited two-year degree, students are qualified to sit for the RHIT examination. This gives them the professional credentials necessary for finding gainful employment in:

  • hospitals
  • nursing homes
  • mental health centers
  • outpatient care facilities
  • other medical institutions

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
  • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

Contact

99 Farm Road
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 947-4591
admissions@bealcollege.edu
Program Website

Kennebec Valley Community College

Department of Allied Health

Kennebec Valley Community College was established in 1969 as one of the seven comprehensive public two-year institutions in the Maine Community College System. It’s headquartered on a 64-acre suburban campus in Fairfield on the Kennebec River. It has a large extension center in nearby Hinckley. It serves the academic needs of around 2,500 students predominantly from Somerset County. KVCC is home to more than 30 associate’s degree, diploma, and certificate programs accredited by the NEASC. In the Department of Allied Health, KVCC students have access to exciting degree options in:

  • emergency care
  • medical assisting
  • massage therapy
  • health information technology
  • occupational therapy
  • phlebotomy
  • physical therapy
  • radiological technology
  • sonography, and more.

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Technology program is at the crossroads of cutting-edge technology and healthcare services. The program is accredited by the CAHIIM. It prepares students to ensure the storage of quality patient records by verifying their:

  • accuracy
  • completeness
  • proper entry into high-tech computer systems

The program is focused on providing the essential educational experiences needed to qualify students for certification and professional practice as Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT). In attaining the two-year degree with at least 60 semester credits, students will receive valuable hands-on experience in:

  • administering information systems
  • managing medical records
  • coding health information for reimbursement

Students may also wish to consider earning the 34-credit Medical Coding Certificate for strengthening their knowledge of ICD-9-CM and CPT coding concepts.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

92 Western Avenue
Fairfield, ME 04937
(207) 453-5156
pmichaud2@kvcc.me.edu
Program Website

The information age continues to advance. The healthcare field depends more on the skills of health informatics professionals to guarantee doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers have access to paperless patient data accurately. If you are interested in studying within the “Pine Tree State,” be sure you contact these top-notch health informatics programs in Maine. You’ll receive the quality training in high-tech electronic health records. This includes:

  • storage
  • retrieval
  • coding
  • processing patient information.