Pueblo Community College this fall will become the only college in Colorado to offer a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in health information management.
The program was approved in July by the Higher Learning Commission, PCC’s accrediting body. All courses will be offered online to provide more flexibility for students.
“The administration, faculty and staff at PCC are committed to providing relevant degrees and certificates to individuals wishing to make positive contributions in the workforce,” said PCC President Patty Erjavec. “The addition of our seventh bachelor-degree program is a shining example of that commitment. We heard from employers and our students of the need for a Bachelor of Applied Science in health information management. Marianne Horvath and her team made it happen.”
Horvath is the coordinator of PCC’s health information technology program. She said graduates of PCC’s medical coding and HIT programs can apply those credits toward the HIM bachelor’s degree. In addition, students from other schools may be able to transfer some or all of their credits toward the program.
PCC is seeking additional industry-specific accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education so the first graduates will be eligible to take the Registered Health Information Administrator credential exam when they complete the program in two years.
“It opens even more doors for career opportunities,” said Horvath. “When you can say you have an RHIA credential, you can work locally or anywhere in the world.”
Examples of health information management jobs include clinical director, medical records analyst and information systems coordinator.
Prospective students can contact Horvath at 719-549-3197 or Marianne.Horvath@pueblocc.edu or Ronda Gasperetti at 719-549-3434 or Ronda.Gasperetti@pueblocc.edu for information.