About The Program

The curriculum is designed to provide training in the management of systems to collect, store, process, retrieve, analyze, disseminate, and communicate information related to the research, planning, provision, and evaluation of healthcare services.

Program Degrees and Certificates

Program Details

The HIM program will continue to accept applications through June 1st for the Fall 2023 cohort.

Coming Fall 2023 Semester!

  • NOVA’s Health Information Management (HIM) program and the Clinical Data Coding (CDC) Career Studies Certificate program will be delivered 100% online, starting in Fall 2023.
  • For questions, please contact Professor Dana Pratt, HIM Program Director, at dpratt@nvcc.edu.

Note: All HIM NOVA Online courses will continue to be delivered through the NOVA Online format, whereas previously on-campus courses will now be delivered virtually via a synchronous Zoom format.

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating the data that healthcare providers rely on to deliver high-quality health care. They are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for health care services provided to patients. HIM professional duties can include operating computer information systems, coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement, maintaining quality control of health records, and more. These professionals are also the caretakers and guardians of personal health information — ensuring that confidential patient information is secure and released only according to strict state and federal laws. HIM professionals work in all types of healthcare delivery organizations (hospitals, ambulatory care centers, home health services, and long-term care facilities), plus managed care, consulting firms, insurance companies, and research firms. Students who possess an interest in studying diseases and therapies but who prefer not to work in a direct patient care setting find this career very rewarding.

The Associate of Applied Science in HIM prepares entry-level health information professionals for the HIM workforce. It provides students with a unique blend of courses in information technology, business management, and clinical knowledge. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates are eligible to take a national examination; successful completion of the examination leads to the professional credential of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). HIM courses are offered both on-campus and online. Our CAHIM-accredited program features the latest EHR and Data Analytics Computer Software -- i.e., AHIMA VLAB.

  • Transfer Opportunities

    Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their academic advisor early in their program.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit. Broadly, licenses, credentials and/or certifications must be current and valid for consideration. For more information regarding the status of the certification and its eligibility for credit, please see an advisor or faculty members in the discipline area that awards CPL credit.

  • Career Prospects

    HIM professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry, including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, medical societies, non-profit healthcare organizations, and government agencies.

Information Session

The first step to beginning health career training at NOVA/MEC is to attend a mandatory Information Session.

Please note that the online information sessions contain program information for the current academic year only.

Start the Information Session Online

There is no in-person Information Session for this program. You are required to include the code provided during the online session on your application as proof of completion.

Pre-Health students who have questions regarding program requirements or students who need academic advising are encouraged to visit Advising & Counseling.

Phone: 703.822.6570, Medical Education Campus, Room 302.

Documents

Useful Resources

Continue your HIM education with a four-year degree that leads to certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). NOVA's HIM Program has articulation agreements with several baccalaureate-level HIM programs nationwide, like DeVry University.

Accreditation

CAHIIM logoThe Health Information Management accreditor of Northern Virginia Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for an Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235 ext 3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Health Information Management Program Outcomes

School Year 2021–2022
Graduation Rate 40%
Employment Rate 50%
Retention Rate 77%

Data provided by the Office of Strategic Insights

Students wishing to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs have successfully transferred program credits.

Career Coach

Contact

Medical Education Campus
Dana Pratt