Health Information Management

Program Description

Personal health information about Canadians is being collected, recorded, reviewed, and transmitted every day. Informed decisions affecting health services can only be achieved with the best information available. The role of health information management goes beyond managing health records to managing the information contained in those records. Using computer skills and knowledge of healthcare fundamentals, critical medical information is translated from patient health records into data following national data standards. The health information management professional then interprets the data to provide comprehensive quality information for patient care, resource allocation, statistics, research, planning and education.

The Health Information Management program is two years in length and is divided into three semesters for each year. The fall and winter semesters for year one and two involve classroom instruction, some of which is in a computer lab at SAIT working with industry-specific software. The spring semester for year one involves a six-week unpaid practicum placement at a small to medium sized healthcare facility. During the spring semester of year two, students will complete an eight-week unpaid practicum at a healthcare facility or organization. Note: There is a possibility of out-of-province placements due to a shortage of practicum sites within Alberta. It is also common for placements to be outside the city of Calgary.

Due to the heavy computer component of this program, students are required to have access to a computer with Internet access outside of regular class time.

Certain courses are available by distance education or continuing education - COMP 264, HILA 200, PATH 242, MEDT 250, PATH 252, PROF 240, AND STAT 220. The courses must be completed within the time frame shown in the Program Outline. Please be advised that full-time student status requires the student to take 60 percent of a full course load per semester. Depending on the number of courses completed by distance education or continuing education, students may be considered a part-time student, which may impact their financial loan status.

Program Overview

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Admission Requirements

Completion of the following courses or equivalents:

• At least 60% in Math 30-1, Math 30-2, Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30, AND,
• At least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2, AND,
• At least 60% in Biology 30
• All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
  

Program Outline

Total Credits 61.5