Get the Skills to Become a Health Information Professional
13 to 18-Month* Online Health Information Specialist Certificate Program
Health Information Specialists play a vital role in managing, protecting, and utilizing healthcare data. Professionals in this field analyze health data to help improve patient care and control costs.
If you’re interested in pursuing a fulfilling career in healthcare without direct patient interaction, consider becoming a Health Information Specialist.
The best way to see if the College of Westchester is the right fit for you is to attend an online or in-person information session. You’ll get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the CW community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.
Becoming a Qualified Health Information Specialist
Graduate with a Health Information Specialist certificate online from CW. In this fully developed on-ground and online curriculum, students will learn to code inpatient and outpatient healthcare services using ICD 10-CM, PCS, and CPT coding systems. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to attempt a Professional Coding exam.
Is a Career as a Health Information Specialist Right for You? Take the CW “Health Information Specialist College and Career Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Online College and Career Readiness Score Now >>
Health Information Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MED101 | Introduction to Healthcare Practices » | 3 |
| This course provides an overview of the healthcare industry and the foundational practices that support healthcare delivery. Students
will explore the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, various healthcare settings, and the roles of key departments and professionals within healthcare organizations. Emphasis is placed on patient flow, communication, healthcare regulations (including HIPAA), and the use of health information systems. By the end of the course, students will understand how healthcare organizations operate and how different components work together to support safe, efficient, and patient-centered care.
Number: MED101 Credits: 3.00 Type:Health Professions |
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| MED103 | Medical Terminology » | 3 |
| Students will be introduced to the foundation of medical terminology through a thorough study of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes which form medical language. Students will also learn the vocabulary used in various medical specialties. Spelling, definitions, and pronunciation are stressed.
Number: MED103 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED111 | Healthcare Law and Ethics » | 3 |
| This course will introduce for discussion a variety of ethical issues that healthcare professionals may encounter during the course of their careers. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of ethical and professional behavior in the healthcare workplace. In depth discussions, textbook assignments and role playing will provide guidance to students in how to successfully manage patient relationships, protect patient privacy in compliance with the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act as well as understand the distinct job responsibilities of the myriad of employees who comprise the typical healthcare organization. Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course.
Number: MED111 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED201 | Introduction to Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will provide students with an introduction to the historical development of medical nomenclature and classification systems including ICD-9-10-CM, CPT-4 and HCPCS coding. This course concentrates on the coding of diseases, evaluation and management procedures, diagnostic and operative procedures and abstraction of clinical diagnostic data from source documentation in order to produce optimal reimbursement when filing claims with third party payers. Also included in this course will be an overview of the medical billing cycle including coverage of Hospital Billing Applications. In accordance with new federal regulations effective January, 2014, students will be introduced to ICD-10.
Prerequisites: MED103 or permission of Chair Number: MED201 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED203 | Advanced Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will leverage and build upon the skills acquired in Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding and concentrates on application of coding skills and analyzing operative reports and consultation notes. These reports and other cases simulate real world out-patient clinical and hospital ICD-9-10, CPT, and HCPCS. Included will be the application of learned skills to EOB denial analysis, collection procedures, and the appeals processes as well as the study of Electronic Records Management.
Prerequisites: MED201 or permission of Chair Number: MED203 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED206 | Hospital Reimbursement » | 3 |
| This course provides an introduction to hospital reimbursement methodologies. The course will focus on basic reimbursement methodologies for inpatient settings, including Medicare acute and skilled inpatient reimbursement guidelines, Prospective Payment Systems, relationship between coding and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) assignment and coding compliance.
Prerequisites: MED201 Number: MED206 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED208 | Administrative Medical Practices » | 3 |
| This course will provide the groundwork for understanding the rules and responsibilities of allied health care providers in an administrative role. The course will cover topics such as electronic health records management, written and oral communication skills, understanding the complexity of the health insurance industry, scheduling and monitoring patient appointments, and the overall administrative duties that impact a health care facility.
Prerequisite: MED103 Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MED208 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED212 | Medical Billing » | 3 |
| The aim of the course is to provide the laboratory experience for students to demonstrate clinical competencies applicable to all medical disciplines. Students will be able to demonstrate skill and competence in the following areas: Lab Equipment and Safety, Infection Control and Asepsis, EKG, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Pregnancy Testing, Fecal Occult Blood (Hemoccult) test, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment, Visual Screening, Hearing Examination, Surgical Instrumentation, Patient Examination and Preparation, Pulmonary Function Treatment and Testing, and Medical History.
Pre- or Co-requisite: MSC207 Prerequisites: MSC126 and MSC131. Students must receive a minimum grade of C (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC212 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED215 | Health Information Technology » | 3 |
| This course introduces students to the health information management profession, the health information department and the health record. Basic concepts and techniques covered will include health record content, assembly, analysis, control, storage, retention, retrieval, form design and control, indices and registers, and filing systems for both paper and electronic health records.
Prerequisites: MED208 & GEN115 or permission of Chair Number: MED215 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| ACC122 | Intorduction to Spreadsheet Applications » | 3 |
| Introduction to Spreadsheet Applications l provides students with foundational spreadsheet skills using Microsoft Excel in a Windows
environment. Students learn how to organize, analyze, and present information using worksheets, formulas, functions, charts, and
data analysis tools. Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, students develop practical skills for managing data, solving
problems, and communicating information effectively in academic, personal, and workplace settings.
Number: ACC122 Credits:3.00 Type:Accounting |
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| BUS276 | Customer Relation in Healthcare » | 3 |
| This course explores customer relations in the healthcare industry from a business and management perspective. Students will examine strategies for delivering high-quality, patient-centered service while supporting organizational efficiency and performance. Topics include communication, professionalism, cultural competence, ethical practices, leadership, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and service quality improvement.
Number:BUS276 Credits: 3.00 Type:Business |
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| GEN108 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence » | 3 |
| This course provides an overview of the fundamental concepts in Artificial Intelligence (AI). It introduces students to the history of AI, its applications, and its future. The course will cover topics such as problem-solving, knowledge representation, planning, machine learning, and ethical considerations in AI. No prior knowledge of AI is required
Number: GEN108 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| Total Major-Related Credits | 36 | |
36 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be qualified to seek employment in medical office management positions where knowledge of medical billing and coding are most important.
Online Training Suited to Your Schedule
The Health Information Specialist program is offered entirely online. You get the technical skills and practical industry knowledge it takes to pursue a rewarding health information career, with the convenience and flexibility of online training.
Is a Rewarding Career as a Health Information Professional Right For You? Get More Info…
If you’re interested in learning more about careers in Health Information and exploring whether The College of Westchester is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call 914-831-0200.
*Program length when completed in normal time.