Individuals who have successfully completed health informatics programs in Tennessee are much more likely to find employment in the industry than those who have not completed degree programs. Health informatics is a growing industry with more healthcare professionals required to document healthcare information electronically. Health informatics is a term used to describe acquiring, storing and retrieving healthcare information. It is designed to foster better communication among a patient’s different healthcare providers and is playing a critical role in healthcare reform.
In 2014, the federal government mandated that medical records be filed electronically. This has led to an increase in positions in the industry. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistic reports that positions in the industry are expected to grow by 15 percent nationwide by 2024, a much higher rate than other types of positions. The median salary for a health informatics professional is $37,110 per year, although those who complete health informatics programs in Tennessee and other states could see higher average salaries.
In Tennessee, there were more than 5,400 employees in the health informatics industry with a median salary of $35,000, about the same as the rest of the United States. As the need for more electronic computer health data grows, the need for people who understand how to manage, store and retrieve the data will become critical.
American National College – Memphis
In 1886, a group of visionaries in business and education saw the need for higher education that focused on career-based training. Together, they founded the American National University in order to provide training for bankers, accountants, administrators and other professions that required specific skills. The college developed a reputation for providing an efficient and effective education. Classes were held in Roanoke, Virginia, for the first 100 years. However, times began to change and American National College knew it had to change to meet the needs of present-day students. Instead of having students come to the university, the university came to them. Community-based campuses were opened throughout Southwest Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Health Information Management
American National College offers an associate’s degree in Health Information Management that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a patient’s medical data while also making it easily available for the medical community. Students develop an understanding of how they affect the quality of patient care through the technical aspect of health information management. The accredited health informatics degree program in Tennessee is offered in a flexible format. Courses include information on:
- Health data structure, content and standards
- Healthcare information requirements
- Clinical classification systems
- Reimbursement methodologies
- Healthcare statistics research
- Quality management
- Performance improvement
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Healthcare privacy, confidentiality, legal and ethical issues
- Information and communication technologies
- Data, information and files structures
- Data storage and retrieval
- Data security
- Human resources
- Financial and resource management
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Contact
American National College
2576 Thousand Oaks Cove
Memphis TN 38118
Telephone: 888-956-2732
Website
Chattanooga State Community College
Nursing and Allied Health
The Nursing and Allied Health department at Chattanooga State Community College is one of the most elite educational programs for healthcare professionals in Tennessee. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic success in pre-requisite and general courses in order to be admitted to programs in the department. Students must complete at least 24 credit hours of general education before applying for programs in Nursing and Allied Health.
Heath Information Technology, A.A.S.
The Nursing and Allied Health Department of the Chattanooga State Community College offers an accredited health informatics degree program in Tennessee that provides all the education necessary for credentialing upon graduation. The program is offered through the college’s eCampus so classes are offered in a convenient online format. The program prepares students to meet the current and emerging needs of the health informatics workplace. Students are prepared for entry-level positions in healthcare facilities and related organizations. Students are qualified to take the American Health Information Management Association certification examination. Students are provided the knowledge and skills necessary to protect, store and retrieve confidential patient health information. Students develop an understanding of managing and coding medical information and records as well as how to code information from medical records for reimbursement purposes. Students are able to abstract data to meet requirements set forth by the government and administration as well as to manage medical and legal inquiries for medical record information.
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga TN 37406
Telephone: 423-697-4450
Email: joann.miller@chattanoogastate.edu
Website
Dyersberg State Community College
Division of Business, Technology and Allied Health
The Division of Business, Technology and Allied Health of Dyersberg State Community College offers healthcare-related programs that include:
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
- Health Information Technology
- Imaging Sciences
- LPN to RN Fast Track
- Nutrition and Food Science
- Nursing
- Paramedic
- Paramedic to RN
- Pre-Clinical Lab Sciences
- Pre-Dental Hygiene
- Pre-Health Professions
- Pre-Nursing
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
Health Information Technology
The Health Information Technology program at Dyersberg Community College is an associate’s degree program that is offered entirely online. The accredited healthcare informatics program in Tennessee provides students with a wide range of skills that allow them to be successful in the health information field. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the national examination for Registered Health Information Technician. The program is a 69-credit hour course of study that requires 17 credit hours of general education as well as the following courses:
- Advanced Coding & Classification Systems
- Computer Applications
- Computer Applications in Health Information
- CPT Coding System
- Fundamentals of Disease Processes
- Healthcare Quality Management
- Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies
- Healthcare Statistics & Reporting
- ICD-10-CM Coding System
- ICD-10-PS Coding System
- Introduction to Health Information Technology
- Legal Aspects of Health Information
- Management and Supervision in Health Information
- Medical Technology
- Orientation: Learning to Succeed
- Professional Practice Experience I and II
- Seminar in Health Information Technology
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Dyersburg State Community College
1510 Lake Road
Dyersburg TN 38024
Telephone: 731-286-3205
Email: btah@dscc.edu
Website
National College – Madison
National College is conveniently located in Madison Square and serves the communities of:
- Madison
- Rivergate
- Goodlettsville
- Hendersonville
National College has been providing working adults with the ability to achieve their higher education goals for over 10 years. The Madison campus is situated in an area that is seeing strong economic growth allowing graduates to seek a wider variety of career opportunities.
Health Information Management Associate’s Degree
The accredited health information degree program in Tennessee offered by National College in Madison is an associate’s degree program. It is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to obtain positions in the medical data field. Students develop an understanding of patient care and how information related to that care is critical. Core courses in the program include:
- A&P Body Control Systems
- A&P Systems of Transport and Support
- Clinical Classification Systems I and II
- Diseases of the Human Body
- Externship – Health Information Technician
- Healthcare Management
- Healthcare Statistics
- Information Systems and Technology
- Introduction and Foundations of Health Information Technology
- Introduction to Procedural Coding
- Medical Law and HIPAA
- Microsoft Office
- Procedural Coding II
- Reimbursement Methodologies
- RHIT Exam Success Class
- Terminology of Body Support
- Terminology of Body Systems
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Contact
National College
900 Madison Square
Madison TN 37115
Telephone: 888-956-2732
Website
Roane State Community College
Allied Health Sciences Nursing and Medicine
The Allied Health Sciences Nursing and Medicine Department offers several degree programs related to healthcare and sciences. The department prepares students for careers in healthcare or to pursue degrees at the bachelor or graduate level. The department also offers certificate programs as well as workforce training to enhance current jobs or for future employment.
Health Information Technology
Accredited health informatics degree programs in Tennessee are increasing in importance as the healthcare field moves toward more electronic record storage. The Health Information Technology program at Roane State provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level positions in the healthcare information industry. Students develop skills in:
- coding
- electronic record keeping
- protection of personal health records
- data analysis
- other aspects of information technology
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply to take the Registered Health Information Technician examination. All first year courses are taught at the Roane County Main Campus during the day as well as the Knox County Center for Health Services in the evening. Second year courses are split between the two campuses. Some classes are only offered during the day and some only in the evening. There are some courses that are taught through distance learning.
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
April M. Insco
Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman TN 37748-5011
Telephone: 865-354-3000 Ext. 4922
Email: inscoam@roanestate.edu
Website
Tennessee State University
College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences at Tennessee State University understands the importance of accredited healthcare informatics degree programs in Tennessee. They also understand the importance of all other accredited healthcare degree programs. With healthcare a growing industry, the College of Health Sciences offers many degrees in the healthcare world. Students may choose from:
- Nursing
- Dental Hygiene
- Physical Therapy and more
The program is known for its outstanding clinical placements and for working in the community to assist with healthcare in the areas surrounding the university. Graduates are prepared to take advantage of Nashville’s growing healthcare environment by obtaining positions in:
- clinical practice
- administration
- public and private hospitals
- clinics
- educational institutions
- business and industry
Health Information Management
The Health Information Management program through the College of Health Sciences at Tennessee State University is a Bachelor of Science degree with a curriculum that combines:
- medicine
- information technology
- management
- finance
- law
The program prepares students to be competent, innovative and confident in the healthcare information management industry. Students are provided the skills necessary to acquire, analyze and protect health information. Students are able to identify and use a variety of resources and technologies related to information management. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification examination. It’s administered by the American Health Information Management Association.
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville TN 37209
Telephone: 615-963-5000
Website
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
College of Health Professions
The College of Health Professions understands that it is an exciting time in the medical world. The industry is changing rapidly and the college is committed to providing graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for leadership roles in their chosen medical profession. Whether students are seeking accredited healthcare informatics degree programs in Tennessee or degree programs in another medical field, the College of Health professions will guide and direct them.
Entry-Level Health Informatics & Information Management
The College of Health Professions through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center understands that health information is one of the fastest growing professions in the country. The master’s degree program has been available at the college since 1954 and has consistently provided outstanding outcomes. Students use a course management system online to attend classes, allowing them to continue working full-time. Courses required to complete the program include:
- Clinical Foundations of Health Information Management
- Concepts of Research Methodology
- Directed Experience I & II
- Financial Management for Health Professionals
- Health Information Science and Laboratory II
- Healthcare Information Systems
- Healthcare Vocabularies and Clinical Terminologies
- HIM Health Information Science I
- HIM Health Information Technology and Systems
- Information Technology and Systems
- Issues in Health Information Technology Seminar
- Knowledge Management
- Leadership for Health Information Technology and Systems
- Legal Issues in Health Information Technology
- Management Affiliation
- Organization & Administration I and II
- Quality Management in Health Services
- Reimbursement Methodologies in Healthcare
- Statistics and Decision Making
Students must also complete an applied research project. Students can enter the program without a bachelor’s degree.
Post-Graduate Master of Health Informatics and Information Management
The Health Informatics and Information Management program is a Master’s level program. Students are provided with information on governmental initiatives for electronic health records as well as regional health information exchanges. Students learn about the growth and expansion of:
- information technology
- e-health
- e-prescribing
- telemedicine
- Internet-based information systems
There is instruction on the increased concern regarding bioterrorism as it relates to heath surveillance and biohealth. Students learn about legal and social issues related to security of health records with a focus on HIPAA laws. Students learn to develop and retain electronic health records and about methods for the electronic exchange of information. The program covers:
- costs, safety
- quality of care
- cost reduction
The program covers recent guidelines that emphasize outcomes and evidence-based medicine.
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Contact
Health Informatics and Information Management
920 Madison Avenue
Suite 518
Memphis TN 38163
Telephone: 901-448-6486
Email: him@uthsc.edu
Entry-Level Website
Post-Graduate Website
Volunteer State Community College
John B. Wallace Health Sciences Division
John B. Wallace Health Sciences Division of Volunteer State Community College offers degree and certificate programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare occupations. The programs range from one semester to two-year programs. Students may also get professional training for advancement in their career through degree and certificate programs. All students who enter the division must undergo a criminal background check upon formal acceptance to a program in the division. Students must also undergo a drug screening if they plan to participate in clinical training in area hospitals.
Health Information Technology
An accredited health informatics degree program in Tennessee is offered through the John B. Wallace Health Sciences Division at Volunteer State Community College. The Health Information Technology program is an associate degree. It prepares students for positions where they will analyze and evaluate health information. Graduates may also be responsible for:
- maintaining and using a variety of health information indexes
- inputting and retrieving health data
- controlling the release of information
Students are provided a wide range of clinical and technological skills. Upon completion of the program, students may sit for the Registered Health Information Technician examination in order to be credentialed in Health Information Technology.
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin TN 37066
Telephone: 888-335-8722
Website
Walters State Community College
Division of Health Programs
The Health Programs Division of Walters State Community College provides quality programs that produce job-ready graduates. The focus is on continuous improvement based on:
- evaluations
- innovative teaching skills
- critical thinking skills
All curriculums offer stress quality and self-directed learning. Students are prepared for entry-level and leadership positions upon graduation.
Health Information Technology A.A.S.
The Health Information Technology program is a two-year associate degree that prepares individuals for managing and coding medical information in medical records. The accredited health informatics degree program in Tennessee provides information on new federal regulations regarding electronic retention and dissemination of medical records.
Students develop an understanding of:
- reimbursement
- abstracting data
- legal inquiries
- other factors related to medical records
Graduates have found positions in:
- hospitals
- nursing homes
- hospitals
- clinics
- other healthcare organizations
To provide students with a real-world educational experience, the program uses:
- classroom lectures
- computers
- software
- professional practice experience.
Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact
Gail Winkler
Director and Associate Professor of Health
Information Technology Program
500 South Davy Crockett Parkway
Morristown TN 37813-6899
Telephone: 423-585-6990
Email: gail.winkler@ws.edu
Website
Accredited health informatics degree programs in Tennessee and throughout the country are growing in importance with the changing regulations in the retention and collection of medical records.
See also: 50 Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Informatics 2015