1. HI 290 – Health Information Practicum Capstone
Seminar #2 –
Week 5 – Externship & Certification
Tuesday September 27th; 8:00 PM
Next scheduled Seminar #3 –
Week 9 – Searching for a Job
Thursday October 20th; 8:00 PM

2. Externship Experience
Who would like to share?

3. Why Get Certified? Employers Value Credentials
Earning an AHIMA credential puts you in a special league, positioning you as a leader and role model in the health informatics and information management community. Investing in AHIMA certification is an investment in yourself and your long-term career. AHIMA certification can help you:
Improve your earning potential
Open the door to more opportunities for career advancement
Increase your job mobility and choices even in the face of a tough job market
Reach not only your short-term job goals, but also position yourself for success in your long-term career
Provide a foundation of broad and deep understanding
Be associated with AHIMA's strong and long-standing reputation of integrity and excellence.
Connect with a strong network of AHIMA-certified peers. Earning an AHIMA credential plugs you into a prestigious community of ongoing support. Although membership is not required in order to become AHIMA-certified, you can enhance your connection even more by becoming an AHIMA member. 

4. Types of Certification
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Working as a critical link between care providers, payers, and patients, the RHIA is an expert in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems and medical terminologies. RHIAs possess comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient information. They often manage people and operational units, participate in administrative committees, and prepare budgets.
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
Professionals holding the RHIT credential are health information technicians who ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They may also use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data to improve patient care or control costs. RHITs often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor's degree.

5. Types of Certification
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
The CCA distinguishes coders by exhibiting commitment and demonstrating coding competencies across all settings, including both hospitals and physician practices. Based upon job analysis standards and state-of-the-art test construction, the CCA is creating a larger pool of qualified coders ready to meet potential employers' needs. The CCA designation has been a nationally accepted standard of achievement in the health information management field since 2002.
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialists are mastery-level professionals skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in the hospital setting. These coding practitioners review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. To perform this task, they must possess expertise in the ICD-9-CM and CPT coding systems. In addition, the CCS is knowledgeable in medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this credential.
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)
The CCS-P is a mastery-level coding practitioner with expertise in physician-based settings such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers. This coding practitioner reviews patients' records and assigns numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure. To perform this task, the individual must possess in-depth knowledge of the CPT coding system and familiarity with the ICD-9-CM and HCPCS Level II coding systems. The CCS-P is also an expert in health information documentation, data integrity, and quality.

6. Types of Certification
Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
CHDAs demonstrate expertise in health data analysis and the knowledge to acquire, manage, analyze, interpret, and transform data into accurate, consistent, and timely information, while balancing the "big picture" strategic vision with day-to-day details. CHDA-certified professionals also exhibit broad organizational knowledge and the ability to communicate with individuals and groups at multiple levels, both internal and external.
 Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)
The CHPS credential is the only combined privacy and security certification available in the healthcare industry. CHPS denotes competence in designing, implementing, and administering comprehensive privacy and security protection programs in all types of healthcare organizations. Becoming certified in healthcare privacy and security demonstrates a choice to focus and advance by specializing in privacy and security dimensions of HIM. Being distinguished with this special expertise signifies a commitment to advancing privacy and security management practices and lifelong learning and professional development.
Certification in Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
 Now more than ever, a strong, highly respected clinical documentation improvement (CDI) certification program can help move the industry forward to achieve the goals of RAC audits, ARRA/HITECH, and other important initiatives with the overarching goal of improving the quality of healthcare. In response to industry demand, the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) has developed a new credential focused upon CDI professionals. The new CDIP credential, launching this fall, is grounded in CCHIIM’s commitment to high certification standards and links directly to AHIMA’s mission of “Quality Healthcare through Quality Information.”

7. Knowledge Clusters I.A. Health Data Structure, Content and Standards
1. Data versus information (4)
2. Structure and use of health information (individual, comparative, aggregate) (4)
3. Health information media (such as paper, computer, web-based) (4)
4. Health record data collection tools (such as forms, screens, etc.) (4)
5. Data sources (primary, secondary) (4)
6. Data definitions, vocabularies, terminologies, and dictionaries (4)
7. Data storage and retrieval (4)
8. Data quality and integrity (4)
9. Healthcare data sets (such as OASIS, HEDIS, DEEDS, UHDDS) (4)
10. Data monitoring and compliance reporting (5)
11. National Healthcare Information Infrastructure (NHII) (4)
I.B. Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards Knowledge Cluster Content
1. Type and content of health record (paper, electronic, computer-based, e-health-personal, web-based)
(5)
2. Health record documentation requirements (such as accreditation, certification, licensure) (5)
3. Health record monitoring and compliance reporting (5)
I.C. Clinical Classification Systems
1. Classifications, taxonomies, nomenclatures, terminologies, and clinical vocabularies (4)
2. Principles and applications of coding systems (such as ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, DSM-IV) (5)
3. Diagnostic and procedural groupings (such as DRG, APC, RUGs, SNOMED-CT) (5)
4. Casemix analysis and indexes (4)
5. Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) (4)
6. Coding compliance strategies, auditing, and reporting (such as CCI, plans) (5)
7. Coding quality monitors and reporting (5)
I.D. Reimbursement
1. Commercial, managed care and federal insurance plans (4)
2. Payment methodologies and systems (such as capitation, prospective payment systems PPS,
RBRVS) (4)
3. Billing processes and procedures (such as claims, EOB, ABN, electronic data interchange) (4)
4. Chargemaster maintenance (5)
5. Regulatory guidelines (such as LMRP, peer review organizations) (3)
6. Reimbursement monitoring and reporting (5)
7. Compliance strategies and reporting (3)

8. Knowledge Clusters II.A. Healthcare Statistics and Research
1. Indices, databases and registries (4)
2. Vital statistics (5)
3. Healthcare statistics (5)
4. Descriptive statistics (such as means, frequencies, ranges, percentiles, standard deviations) (5)
5. Statistical applications with health care data (5)
6. Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes (4)
7. National guidelines regarding human subjects research (4)
8. Research protocol monitoring (4)
9. Data selection, interpretation, and presentation (5)
10. Knowledge-based research techniques (such as library, Medline, web-based) (5)
II.B. Quality management and Performance Improvement
1.Quality assessment and improvement (such as process, collection tools, data analysis, reporting
techniques) (4)
2. Utilization management, risk management, and case management (3)
3. Regulatory quality monitoring requirements (4)
4. Outcomes measures and monitoring (4)

9. Knowledge Clusters III.A. Healthcare Delivery Systems
1. Organization of healthcare delivery in the United States (4)
2. Healthcare organizations structure and operation (4)
3. External standards, regulations, and initiatives (such as licensure, certification, accreditation, HIPAA)
(4)
4. Payment and reimbursement systems (4)
5. Healthcare providers and disciplines (4)
III.B. Healthcare Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal and Ethical Issues
1. Legislative and regulatory processes (3)
2. Legal terminology (5)
3. Health information/record laws and regulations (such as retention, patient rights/advocacy, advanced
directives, privacy) (5)
4. Confidentiality, privacy, and security policies, procedures, and monitoring (5)
5. Release of information policies and procedures (5)
6. Professional and practice-related ethical issues (5)

10. Knowledge Clusters IV.A. Information and Communication Technologies
1. Computer concepts (such as hardware components, operating systems, languages, software
packages) (3)
2. Communication and Internet technologies (such as networks, intranet, standards) (3)
3. Common software applications (such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics) (5)
4. Health information systems (such as administrative, patient registration, ADT, EHR, personal health
record (PHR), lab, radiology, pharmacy) (4)
5. Voice recognition technology (3)
6. Health information specialty systems (such as ROI, coding, registries) (5)
7. Application of systems and policies to health information systems and functions and healthcare data
requests (5)
IV.B. Data Storage and Retrieval
1. Document archival, retrieval, and imaging systems (5)
2. Maintenance and monitoring of data storage systems (5)
IV.C. Data Security and Healthcare Information Systems
1. System architecture and design (3)
2. System acquisition and evaluation (3)
3. Screen design (4)
4. Data retrieval and maintenance (4)
5. Data security concepts (3)
6. Data integrity concepts (4)
7. Data integrity and security processes and monitoring (5)
8. Data recovery and risk management (4)
9. Work process design (such as ergonomics, equipment selection) (3)

11. Knowledge Clusters V .A. Organizational Resources
1. Roles and functions of teams and committees (5)
2. Teams/consensus building and committees (4)
3. Communication and interpersonal skills (5)
4. Team leadership concepts and techniques (4)
5. Orientation and training (such as content, delivery, media) (5)
6. Workflow and process monitors (4)
7. Performance monitors (4)
8. Revenue cycle monitors (4)
9. Organizational plans and budgets (framework, levels, responsibilities, etc.) (4)

12. Exam Development

13. Domains & Equivalent Weights
RHIT Examination
Domains & Equivalent Weights
Questions Weight
Health Data Management %
Health Statistics, Biomedical Research
and Quality Management %
Health Services Organization & Delivery %
Information Technology & Systems %
Organizational Resources % %
150 Questions (20 not scored for the exam – for statistics and further development)
Given 3 ½ hours for the RHIT exam.

14. Required Paperwork
Health Information practicum experiences require students to submit documentation during placement. Documentation is required for proof of attendance and skills evaluation necessary to obtain required clinical course points.
All clinical documents must be submitted to the Clinical Placement Department prior to a grade being issued for the clinical course. Students should understand that clinical paperwork is their responsibility. They should ensure that the site receives a copy of the HI Student Practicum Evaluation, approves each weekly timesheet, and verifies all forms are completely filled out. A grade cannot be issued for the clinical portion of the course until all documentation has been received and approved by the Clinical Placement Department. Documents that are incomplete will not be accepted and will be returned to the student for resubmission.

15. Required Paperwork Clinical Hourly Timesheet
Health Information Technology Externship First day on site
Externship Evaluation of Student – HIT
Externship Site Evaluation - HIT
Quality Review of the Medical Record Worksheet
Data Quality Review Worksheet

16. HI 290 Online Class Grading
Assessments
Number
Points each
Total Points
Discussions 9 20
180
Seminar 3 25 75
Clinical Paperwork in 1
300
QI Proposal
Unit 2 Power Point
Unit 7 Budget Paper 50
Blog entries 15
135
Resume 60
Mock Exam
150
1000 Points

17. Accreditation Status
Right now we are still waiting to hear back from CAHIIM in response to the submission of the Self-Assessment. They do not provide us with dates or timelines so we cannot provide that info to students.
Please just let them know that we are still actively in the process of seeking accreditation. If they have additional questions or concerns, you can provide them with my address.
Thanks!
Kaila Givens, MPH, RHIA
Academic Chair, HIT/HIM Programs
School of Health Sciences
Phone:
Fax:
AIM: kailagivens