Two health informatics programs in Nevada are available at the associate level for any individual seeking to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Despite being the nation’s ninth least densely populated state, Nevada is world famous for its hotspot of gambling and tourism on the Las Vegas Strip. Yet, the “Silver State” also offers jackpot career opportunities in health information management. After all, Nevada has over 60 hospitals, including the regionally renowned Desert Springs Medical Center and Centennial Hills Medical Center. The University Medical Center of Southern Nevada is also among the state’s top 20 largest employers.
Around 1,600 health information technicians currently work in Nevada. The profession’s mean annual salary is $40,860 here. If you’re interested in joining this specialized medical workforce to keep patient data secure, check out the following health informatics programs available for Nevadans.
College of Southern Nevada
Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences
Established in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada is a comprehensive state-supported public junior college in the Nevada System of Higher Education. It enrolls more than 38,100 students each year. Featuring more than 200 accredited degree options, CSN is headquartered in Las Vegas with extension centers in:
- Henderson
- Mesquite
- Logandale
- Nellis AFB
Around 74 percent of students enrolled in CSN’s seven academic schools pursue classes part-time for career advancement. The Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences is dedicated to delivering quality, student-centered education for future healthcare professionals.
Health Information Technology (A.A.S.)
CSN’s Health Information Technology program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. It’s for students seeking to specialize their career in the organization, analysis, and security of electronic health records. The majority of students continue working full-time while taking six to seven credits per semester. Most of the professional coursework is available online, but students must report at least one weekend per month with instructors. The 68-credit curriculum also includes a clinical internship experience at an approved health organization. Finishing the program will make graduates eligible for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. There are also certificates available in Medical Coding, Medical Office Practices, Medical Transcription, and Patient Registration.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
6375 West Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 651-5896
cassie.gentry@csn.edu
Program Website
Kaplan College
Allied Health Department
Kaplan College is a system of nationally accredited private for-profit higher learning institutions specializing in campus-based and distance career training for the healthcare industry. Since its founding in 1937, Kaplan College has grown to operate 79 campuses across the United States. It has over 50,000 students. Recently in September 2015, Kaplan College was acquired by the Education Corporation of America (ECA). The U.S. News recognizes Kaplan for having the 79th best online bachelor’s degrees nationwide. In the Allied Health Department, students can select from programs in:
- massage therapy
- dental hygiene
- diagnostic medical sonography
- health information technology
- medical assisting
- pharmacy
- respiratory care
- radiologic technology
Associate’s in Health Information Technology
The Associate in Health Information Technology is available in:
- Las Vegas
- San Antonio
- San Diego
The program is structured to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of patient care data including:
- processing
- maintaining
- collecting
- reporting
Students gain hands-on experience working with software and hardware used to store critical health information records electronically. Kaplan’s Nevada facility even provides access to QuadraMed MPI Suite and Cerner PowerChart. The CAHIIM-accredited curriculum explores topics, including:
- medical coding
- reimbursement
- quality assessment
- risk management.
Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours. Graduates have the qualifications to successfully become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHITs).
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Contact
3535 West Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 368-2338
Program Website
It’s never been a better time to attend a CAHIIM-accredited program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health information technicians is poised to grow rapidly by 22 percent creating more than 40,000 new jobs nationally. There’s a high demand for technicians to manage quality, accurate, and accessible electronic health record (EHR) systems in today’s digital age. If you’re interested in bringing your IT skills into the medical industry, consider attending one of these health informatics programs in Nevada.
See also: Top 25 Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Degrees Ranked by Affordability