- Home
- Degrees Offered
- Post-BS Certificates in Health Informatics
- About Us
- News
- Contact Us
- Faculty
- HIMSA
- Job Opportunities for HIM and HI practitioners
- Advisory Board Members
- Alumni
- Code of Ethics
- Helpful Links
- Learn More
- Computer Competency Exam - MSHI and BSHIM ONLY
- Health Information Professions (HIP) Grant Opportunity
- HIM Events and Courses
- HIM lab (SFU 322) schedule Fall 2012
- Temple's HIM Programs listed on US News and World Report
- HIM Department Merit Scholarship
B.S. in Health Information Management
Temple University offers an accredited program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BSHIM). Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and administration of systems for the storage, retrieval, access, and release of health information. HIM professionals have expertise in health informatics which requires knowledge of clinical medicine, the computer-based patient record, healthcare database administration, computerized clinical information systems, coding and classification systems, quality and human resource management, the ethical and legal aspects of health information systems and legal, regulatory, and accrediting agency requirements which affect the health information system.
Temple's BSHIM has been accredited by CAHIIM (the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management) since 1969.
Graduates are eligible to take a national certification examination, offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Successful completion of this examination will allow the graduate to use the credentials Registered Health Information Management Administrator (RHIA). The combination of the degree and the credential opens many doors to an exciting and financially rewarding career with potential for personal growth and professional advancement.
*AHIMA 2008 Salary Survey
Education and certification are important factors that drive salary levels. The above graphic shows that the overall average salary for directors varies by the highest level of education attained. While the average salary of directors in the sample with an associate degree is $59K, that figure grows to $68K for the baccalaureate degree group and to nearly $82K for those who earn a master’s degree.
Temple University BSHIM 2011 Alumni Survey
Average Salary for BSHIM 2011 graduates:
Requirements
HIM Undergraduate Bulletin 2010-2011
The faculty is committed to educating students who will manage the health information requirements for the multifaceted health care system. The graduate must be able to accept roles as a member of the health care team in a variety of setting: as administrator, planner, consultant, educator, researcher and practitioner and the educational program is designed to develop the expertise and professional qualities needed to fulfill these roles.
The courses taken for the degree include core requirements and prerequisites as well as professional courses. Successful completion of the professional learning objectives help the students develop expertise and professional behaviors.
The baccalaureate program in Health Information Management at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Additional information may be obtained from:
American Health Information Management Association
Education and Accreditation Division
919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611-1683
Phone: 312-233-1100
Fax: 12-233-1090
Internet: http://www.cahiim.org/
The accreditation standards for the curriculum require inclusion of the following content:
- Anatomy and physiology, language of medicine, pharmacology and clinical medicine
- Information technology
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Organization and management
- Quantitative methods and research
- Healthcare information requirement and standards
- Health information systems, including coding and classification systems
- Health data content and structure
- Clinical quality assessment and performance improvement
- Biomedical research support
- Health information services management
FAQ
What happens if I have not completed my immunizations?
If you have not completed your immunizations with documentation submitted to the University, you will not be permitted to participate in either your Professional Practice Internship or your Management Internship. Some clinical sites may require additional immunizations such as the flu vaccine. You must satisfy the specific requirements of your internship site. Any delay in scheduling and completing your interships will result in a delay in graduation. You must pass both internships to qualify for graduation.
What happens if I do not receive a C or above in one of the required HIM pre-requisite courses?
All HIM students must receive at least a C in QA, QB, Kinesiology 1223 and 1224, and CIS 1055. If you have not received a C or above, you must retake the course. You cannot register for HIM courses which requires these pre-requisites without the necessary grade.
What happens if I receive a C- or below in a HIM professional course?
All HIM students must receive at least a C in each HIM course. If you have not received a C or above, you must retake the course. If you retake a course, this will delay your completion of the coursework and will result in a delay in graduation.
Who is my HIM advisor?
For Academic Year 2010 - 2011
- Juniors - Professor Marselis
- Seniors - Professor Marselis
- Extended Study Students - Professor Marselis
What if I need to replace my ID?
Please see the Student Services Coordinator for the Department of Health Information Management.
Computer Comp Exam
For Fall 2010 admissions, all students must have successfully completed CIS 1055 (CIS55) with a C or better to be accepted into the HIM program.Â
For Fall 2011 admission, all students must have successfully completed CIS 1055 (CIS55) with a C or better as well as successfully passed the Computer Literacy Test to be accepted into the program.
How will I arrange to take the computer competency exam?
Prior to the test you will need to purchase a myitlab COMPUTER LITERACY TEST ACCESS CODE which can be obtained from the Temple University Bookstore (13th & Montgomery) or Zavelle’s Bookstore (1520 N Broad Street). It can also be purchased from the Health Science Center Bookstore. If you purchase the access codes from the Temple bookstore, the access codes are located behind the main front registers. If you purchase the access code from Zavelle’s Bookstore, the access codes are located behind Register 5.
The myitlab COMPUTER LITERACY TEST ACCESS CODE costs approximately $20.00. You MUST bring the myitlab Access Code with you on the day of the test as well as your Temple University ID. Your results will be displayed after completion of the FCLT and you can also log back into the registration system to view your results. Please allow 24 hours for you results to be uploaded.
For information related to the test contents, please refer to http://www.sbm.temple.edu/foxclt/. The competency exam takes 60 minutes to complete. However, the entire process of the examination will take approximately 1.5 hours for logging in, creating an account, and taking a practice test.
What is the passing score and what happens if I don't pass?
The passing score for the computer competency exam is 74%. If you do not achieve a 74%, purchase the @ MYITLAB COMPUTER LITERACY TRAINING AND RE-TEST ACCESS CODE. Once you purchase this access code you will need to review the concepts and work through each module. When you feel that you have mastered each skill you will be eligible to resit for the on-site exam.
NOTE: You must retake the exam on site at Temple. Successful completion of the FOX Computer Literacy Test which is built into the application will NOT BE ACCEPTED. You have three chances to pass the examination.
Internship
One of the key components of the HIM degree is the opportunity to intern at a health care organization. During your professional practice internship, you will be on site 1 full day per week for 8 weeks at a healthcare facility within the Delaware Valley. During your management internship, you will be placed full-time for 4 weeks at a facility outside of the area where you will be participating in solving a management project at that organization.Â
Our students have interned at such sites as:
- University of Pennsylvania Health System
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
- NYU Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
- Magee Rehabilitation
Examples of previous projects include:
- Develop an ICD-10 plan
- Develop the Policies and Procedures for an Electronic Health Record System
- Create an HIM Employee Orientation Manual
- Develop Productivity Standards for an Optical Imaging Project
- Assess the Management of a Hybrid Deficiency System
- Compile the Cancer Registry Annual Report (RAC)
- Develop a Training Plan for a Chart Locator System
Please be sure to have the following up to date in order to be considered for Internship placement:
- Immunizations
- Physical Exam
- Health Insurance Accident Insurance Â
- Criminal Background Check
- Child Abuse Clearance
Additional criteria requested for some internship placements:
- Drug Screen
- Orientation at the internship site
- Flu Vaccines
Immunizations are tracked for the following standardized criteria:
- DT Booster (within the past 10 years)
- PPD with a normal result or cleared by SHS MD
- Hepatitis B Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Measles Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Mumps Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Rubella Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Varicella Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Completed Pre-Matriculation Physical
Where possible, the HIM Department tries to place students at a site selected by the students for the Management Internship. The student is responsible for procuring housing and for making and paying for travel arrangements to and from the internship site.
Careers
Check out available positions within the Tri-State area & beyond
A career in Health Information Management (HIM) will allow students to combine their interests in health care, business, and information technology. HIM professionals have expertise in health informatics, which requires knowledge of clinical medicine and the electronic health record (EHR). This individual also has expertise in coding and classification systems, quality and human resource management, the legal aspects of health information systems, and the regulatory, and accrediting agency requirements that affect the health information system.
Clinical internships are scheduled at several health care institutions. The HIM professional works closely with all other health professionals to collect and disseminate the information needed to provide high-quality patient care. The health information system supports the needs of patients, health care professionals, administrators, the community, and those involved in research and education.
Job opportunities include positions with hospitals and other health care institutions, research and pharmaceutical firms, and governmental agencies. Career opportunities for the HIM professional include: Information Security Officer, Director of Integrated Health Information Systems, Research and Decision-Support Analyst, Clinical Data Specialist, Data Resource Administrator, Patient Information Coordinator, Director of Medical Records, and Clinical Coding Specialist.
HIM is a viable undergraduate major for individuals looking to apply to medical/clinical fields, such as, Medicine, Podiatry, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or other health-related professions.
Please visit AHIMA for additional career opportunities available with a degree in HIM as well as the most up to date Salary Survey for HIM Professionals.
Additional information can be found at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's website (ONC).
HIM Bulletin
Information regarding the Health Information Management Program may be found at HIM Program.
The undergraduate course descriptions including the pre and co-requisites for each class in the Health Information Management program may be found at HIM Undergraduate Course Descriptions
News & Events
124th Commencement Exercises - Thursday May 12, 2011 Commencement Exercises. Check out the Checklist!
An abstract called: "Creating a Health Information Career Pathway", submitted by Cindy Joy Marselis, Shirley Moy, and Cheryl Feldman, Executive Director of District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, was selected by ETA/ASTD Regional Technical Assistance Forum Mid Atlantic Workforce Conference 2011, entitled "Recalibrating the Workforce System†and taking place April 11 – 15, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia.
Cerner Training Provided by Best Practices Partners: The Health Information Management Department sponsored a training symposium on Cerner's PowerChart Electronic Health Record (EHR) System on Saturday 4/9/11 at Temple University Center City campus. Cerner is one of the top EHR providers in the Philadelphia area with such clients as Albert Einstein Health Network. The event was offered in collaboration with the BioInformatics Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Best Practices Partners, an IT Training Provider specializing in EHR systems. Forty-eight participants representing HIM and Nursing faculty members, Health Informatics and Communications Disorders graduate and undergraduate students, and a physician in the community attended the event. Participants received hands-on EHR training related to patient registration and navigation through the EHR. Participants and were offered the opportunity to take a proficiency examination leading to advanced training.Â
On March 26, Cindy Joy Marselis, MBA, MS, RHIA, Interim Chair of the Department of Health Information Management, took part on a panel of medical and wellness profession-als for a Special Topics forum at the Philadelphia Theatre Company entitled, “The Body Politic: Health in Philadelphia.†The event followed a matinee performance of Anna Deavere Smith’s Let Me Down Easy – a play conceived, written, and performed by the actress and playwright that documents a series of varied interviews with athletes, medical professionals, celebrities, and ordinary people sharing ideas about the human body, illness, and health management in today’s society.
The forum engaged representatives from the fields of medicine, philosophy, education, and politics with a modera-tor in a discussion focused on the play’s themes of mortality, human competition, and the treatment of community and public health.
Professor Cathy Flite, MeD, RHIA presented at the 2010 Assembly on Education (AOE) Conference in New Orleans, LA. Her discussion topic was Understanding the Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design through Vlab Applications.
Cindy Marselis named the Interim Chair of the Department of Health Information Management. Cindy also serves as the Director of the Masters in Health Informatics which is a dual partnership between the College of Allied Professions and Social Work and the Fox School of Business.
Dr. Laurinda Harman is on sabbatical for Fall 2010 and is creating an applied ethics certificate program for Temple undergraduate students. The original impetus for this program was launched by President Ann Weaver Hart’s inauguration address in 2007, at which time she spoke of the importance of values within the context of student access to intellectual and creative opportunities. The purpose is to develop a moral literacy program for Temple baccalaureate students which will result in the issuance of an applied ethics certificate at graduation, regardless of the academic program (education, business, health professions, liberal arts et al).  Graduates, employers and graduate schools will know that the Temple student has learned about values and ethical decision-making throughout the academic years.Â
HIM Senior Lauren Gess is the Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association's 2010 Student Scholarship Recipient. Learn more by visiting PHIMA's website.
The Development and Alumni Relations office within CHPSW is pleased to announce that HIM alumnus Austin Frazier and his wife Sonia have pledged $25,000 over the next five years to help students in the HIM department. The Frazier Family Endowed Scholarship is the first in the history of the HIM Department.
part 
Requirements
HIM Undergraduate Bulletin 2010-2011
The faculty is committed to educating students who will manage the health information requirements for the multifaceted health care system. The graduate must be able to accept roles as a member of the health care team in a variety of setting: as administrator, planner, consultant, educator, researcher and practitioner and the educational program is designed to develop the expertise and professional qualities needed to fulfill these roles.
The courses taken for the degree include core requirements and prerequisites as well as professional courses. Successful completion of the professional learning objectives help the students develop expertise and professional behaviors.
The baccalaureate program in Health Information Management at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Additional information may be obtained from:
American Health Information Management Association
Education and Accreditation Division
919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611-1683
Phone: 312-233-1100
Fax: 12-233-1090
Internet: http://www.cahiim.org/
The accreditation standards for the curriculum require inclusion of the following content:
- Anatomy and physiology, language of medicine, pharmacology and clinical medicine
- Information technology
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Organization and management
- Quantitative methods and research
- Healthcare information requirement and standards
- Health information systems, including coding and classification systems
- Health data content and structure
- Clinical quality assessment and performance improvement
- Biomedical research support
- Health information services management
FAQ
What happens if I have not completed my immunizations?
If you have not completed your immunizations with documentation submitted to the University, you will not be permitted to participate in either your Professional Practice Internship or your Management Internship. Some clinical sites may require additional immunizations such as the flu vaccine. You must satisfy the specific requirements of your internship site. Any delay in scheduling and completing your interships will result in a delay in graduation. You must pass both internships to qualify for graduation.
What happens if I do not receive a C or above in one of the required HIM pre-requisite courses?
All HIM students must receive at least a C in QA, QB, Kinesiology 1223 and 1224, and CIS 1055. If you have not received a C or above, you must retake the course. You cannot register for HIM courses which requires these pre-requisites without the necessary grade.
What happens if I receive a C- or below in a HIM professional course?
All HIM students must receive at least a C in each HIM course. If you have not received a C or above, you must retake the course. If you retake a course, this will delay your completion of the coursework and will result in a delay in graduation.
Who is my HIM advisor?
For Academic Year 2010 - 2011
- Juniors - Professor Marselis
- Seniors - Professor Marselis
- Extended Study Students - Professor Marselis
What if I need to replace my ID?
Please see the Student Services Coordinator for the Department of Health Information Management.
Computer Comp Exam
For Fall 2010 admissions, all students must have successfully completed CIS 1055 (CIS55) with a C or better to be accepted into the HIM program.Â
For Fall 2011 admission, all students must have successfully completed CIS 1055 (CIS55) with a C or better as well as successfully passed the Computer Literacy Test to be accepted into the program.
How will I arrange to take the computer competency exam?
Prior to the test you will need to purchase a myitlab COMPUTER LITERACY TEST ACCESS CODE which can be obtained from the Temple University Bookstore (13th & Montgomery) or Zavelle’s Bookstore (1520 N Broad Street). It can also be purchased from the Health Science Center Bookstore. If you purchase the access codes from the Temple bookstore, the access codes are located behind the main front registers. If you purchase the access code from Zavelle’s Bookstore, the access codes are located behind Register 5.
The myitlab COMPUTER LITERACY TEST ACCESS CODE costs approximately $20.00. You MUST bring the myitlab Access Code with you on the day of the test as well as your Temple University ID. Your results will be displayed after completion of the FCLT and you can also log back into the registration system to view your results. Please allow 24 hours for you results to be uploaded.
For information related to the test contents, please refer to http://www.sbm.temple.edu/foxclt/. The competency exam takes 60 minutes to complete. However, the entire process of the examination will take approximately 1.5 hours for logging in, creating an account, and taking a practice test.
What is the passing score and what happens if I don't pass?
The passing score for the computer competency exam is 74%. If you do not achieve a 74%, purchase the @ MYITLAB COMPUTER LITERACY TRAINING AND RE-TEST ACCESS CODE. Once you purchase this access code you will need to review the concepts and work through each module. When you feel that you have mastered each skill you will be eligible to resit for the on-site exam.
NOTE: You must retake the exam on site at Temple. Successful completion of the FOX Computer Literacy Test which is built into the application will NOT BE ACCEPTED. You have three chances to pass the examination.
Internship
One of the key components of the HIM degree is the opportunity to intern at a health care organization. During your professional practice internship, you will be on site 1 full day per week for 8 weeks at a healthcare facility within the Delaware Valley. During your management internship, you will be placed full-time for 4 weeks at a facility outside of the area where you will be participating in solving a management project at that organization.Â
Our students have interned at such sites as:
- University of Pennsylvania Health System
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
- NYU Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
- Magee Rehabilitation
Examples of previous projects include:
- Develop an ICD-10 plan
- Develop the Policies and Procedures for an Electronic Health Record System
- Create an HIM Employee Orientation Manual
- Develop Productivity Standards for an Optical Imaging Project
- Assess the Management of a Hybrid Deficiency System
- Compile the Cancer Registry Annual Report (RAC)
- Develop a Training Plan for a Chart Locator System
Please be sure to have the following up to date in order to be considered for Internship placement:
- Immunizations
- Physical Exam
- Health Insurance Accident Insurance Â
- Criminal Background Check
- Child Abuse Clearance
Additional criteria requested for some internship placements:
- Drug Screen
- Orientation at the internship site
- Flu Vaccines
Immunizations are tracked for the following standardized criteria:
- DT Booster (within the past 10 years)
- PPD with a normal result or cleared by SHS MD
- Hepatitis B Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Measles Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Mumps Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Rubella Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Varicella Antibody Titer – positive or cleared by SHS MD
- Completed Pre-Matriculation Physical
Where possible, the HIM Department tries to place students at a site selected by the students for the Management Internship. The student is responsible for procuring housing and for making and paying for travel arrangements to and from the internship site.
Careers
Check out available positions within the Tri-State area & beyond
A career in Health Information Management (HIM) will allow students to combine their interests in health care, business, and information technology. HIM professionals have expertise in health informatics, which requires knowledge of clinical medicine and the electronic health record (EHR). This individual also has expertise in coding and classification systems, quality and human resource management, the legal aspects of health information systems, and the regulatory, and accrediting agency requirements that affect the health information system.
Clinical internships are scheduled at several health care institutions. The HIM professional works closely with all other health professionals to collect and disseminate the information needed to provide high-quality patient care. The health information system supports the needs of patients, health care professionals, administrators, the community, and those involved in research and education.
Job opportunities include positions with hospitals and other health care institutions, research and pharmaceutical firms, and governmental agencies. Career opportunities for the HIM professional include: Information Security Officer, Director of Integrated Health Information Systems, Research and Decision-Support Analyst, Clinical Data Specialist, Data Resource Administrator, Patient Information Coordinator, Director of Medical Records, and Clinical Coding Specialist.
HIM is a viable undergraduate major for individuals looking to apply to medical/clinical fields, such as, Medicine, Podiatry, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or other health-related professions.
Please visit AHIMA for additional career opportunities available with a degree in HIM as well as the most up to date Salary Survey for HIM Professionals.
Additional information can be found at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's website (ONC).
HIM Bulletin
Information regarding the Health Information Management Program may be found at HIM Program.
The undergraduate course descriptions including the pre and co-requisites for each class in the Health Information Management program may be found at HIM Undergraduate Course Descriptions
News & Events
124th Commencement Exercises - Thursday May 12, 2011 Commencement Exercises. Check out the Checklist!
An abstract called: "Creating a Health Information Career Pathway", submitted by Cindy Joy Marselis, Shirley Moy, and Cheryl Feldman, Executive Director of District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, was selected by ETA/ASTD Regional Technical Assistance Forum Mid Atlantic Workforce Conference 2011, entitled "Recalibrating the Workforce System†and taking place April 11 – 15, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia.
Cerner Training Provided by Best Practices Partners: The Health Information Management Department sponsored a training symposium on Cerner's PowerChart Electronic Health Record (EHR) System on Saturday 4/9/11 at Temple University Center City campus. Cerner is one of the top EHR providers in the Philadelphia area with such clients as Albert Einstein Health Network. The event was offered in collaboration with the BioInformatics Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Best Practices Partners, an IT Training Provider specializing in EHR systems. Forty-eight participants representing HIM and Nursing faculty members, Health Informatics and Communications Disorders graduate and undergraduate students, and a physician in the community attended the event. Participants received hands-on EHR training related to patient registration and navigation through the EHR. Participants and were offered the opportunity to take a proficiency examination leading to advanced training.Â
On March 26, Cindy Joy Marselis, MBA, MS, RHIA, Interim Chair of the Department of Health Information Management, took part on a panel of medical and wellness profession-als for a Special Topics forum at the Philadelphia Theatre Company entitled, “The Body Politic: Health in Philadelphia.†The event followed a matinee performance of Anna Deavere Smith’s Let Me Down Easy – a play conceived, written, and performed by the actress and playwright that documents a series of varied interviews with athletes, medical professionals, celebrities, and ordinary people sharing ideas about the human body, illness, and health management in today’s society.
The forum engaged representatives from the fields of medicine, philosophy, education, and politics with a modera-tor in a discussion focused on the play’s themes of mortality, human competition, and the treatment of community and public health.
Professor Cathy Flite, MeD, RHIA presented at the 2010 Assembly on Education (AOE) Conference in New Orleans, LA. Her discussion topic was Understanding the Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design through Vlab Applications.
Cindy Marselis named the Interim Chair of the Department of Health Information Management. Cindy also serves as the Director of the Masters in Health Informatics which is a dual partnership between the College of Allied Professions and Social Work and the Fox School of Business.
Dr. Laurinda Harman is on sabbatical for Fall 2010 and is creating an applied ethics certificate program for Temple undergraduate students. The original impetus for this program was launched by President Ann Weaver Hart’s inauguration address in 2007, at which time she spoke of the importance of values within the context of student access to intellectual and creative opportunities. The purpose is to develop a moral literacy program for Temple baccalaureate students which will result in the issuance of an applied ethics certificate at graduation, regardless of the academic program (education, business, health professions, liberal arts et al).  Graduates, employers and graduate schools will know that the Temple student has learned about values and ethical decision-making throughout the academic years.Â
HIM Senior Lauren Gess is the Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association's 2010 Student Scholarship Recipient. Learn more by visiting PHIMA's website.
The Development and Alumni Relations office within CHPSW is pleased to announce that HIM alumnus Austin Frazier and his wife Sonia have pledged $25,000 over the next five years to help students in the HIM department. The Frazier Family Endowed Scholarship is the first in the history of the HIM Department.
part