Revised 08/2025

HIM 251 - Clinical Practice I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Prepares the Health Information Technology Student to perform all functions commonly allocated to health record services. Gives practice in various settings under the supervision of a clinical practice supervisor. Part I of II. Laboratory 6 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to prepare the Health Information Technology student to perform all functions commonly allocated to health record services. Students will practice skills in various settings under the supervision of a clinical practice supervisor. The purposes of the clinical experiences provided in the course are to expose the student to the work place setting and to permit the student to demonstrate entry- level competencies in various health record services settings. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites/corequisites are BIO 142, HIM 110, HIM 130, HIM 141, HIM 142, HIM 220, HIM 226, HIM 250, HIM 260, HIM 229, HIM 230 or permission of instructor. The course will be offered to any student who meets the prerequisites/co-requisites and is program placed in the Health Information Management (HIM) program.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate entry-level competencies in the following areas: 

  • Access patient identifiers and clinical data via Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.
  • Input and update patient data in secure, cloud-based health information systems.
  • Follow standardized procedures for issuing patient identifiers.
  • Respond to internal and external requests for patient information via secure communication channels.
  • File and manage complete and incomplete health records, including scanned and electronic documents.
  • Conduct quality assurance checks on digital records and metadata.
  • Locate and correct misfiled or misclassified records.
  • Retrieve and refile records as requested using digital record management systems.
  • Scan and index documents for long-term digital storage (optical disk and cloud platforms).
  • Eliminate outdated practices such as microfilm reproduction.
  • Perform initial and secondary analysis of incomplete records.
  • Notify providers of delinquent documentation and assist with timely completion.
  • Maintain and audit databases for incomplete/delinquent records.
  • Identify potential risk cases based on documentation trends.
  • Apply suspension policies and procedures in accordance with compliance standards.
  • Ensure confidentiality and security of health information in compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and emerging data privacy laws.
  • Log and validate requests for information; verify authorization authenticity.
  • Accept subpoenas and prepare records for legal proceedings.
  • Transmit records securely using encrypted platforms.
  • Perform pre-admission and admission functions, including room/suite assignments.
  • Prepare and submit patient bills to insurance or managed care organizations.
  • Track outstanding claims and payments received using revenue cycle management tools.
  • Enter and manage data in registries and databases (e.g., cancer registries).
  • Compute statistics and generate reports for internal use and regulatory compliance.
  • Identify practice variations and support clinical pathway monitoring.
  • Assist in preparing reports for performance improvement and accreditation.
  • Accession and code oncology cases using ICD-O.
  • Conduct follow-up activities and attend Tumor Board or Cancer Committee meetings.
  • Prepare agendas, notices, and minutes for medical staff and HIM-related committees.
  • Review and apply policies and procedures related to information governance.
  • Assist in preparing for external audits and accreditation surveys (e.g., The Joint Commission).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using EHR systems, applying privacy practices, and adhering to documentation standards.
  • Collaborate with IT, clinical, and administrative teams to optimize data workflows and ensure interoperability.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Health information governance & lifecycle management
  • Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI)
  • Release of Information (ROI) & Health Information Exchange (HIE)
  • Patient access & registration services
  • Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
  • Governance support & compliance reporting
  • Health data analytics & quality improvement
  • Utilization review & clinical decision support