PHILOSOPHY

PHILOSOPHY

Graduates of the Health Care Information Programs at Shoreline Community College are educated in the ethical, professional and technical collection, analysis and control of health information.  It is our belief that health information has far-reaching effects on society, public policy, and the lives of patients and providers. Health information practitioners, within their scope of practice, have a responsibility to

·         assure the accuracy of data collection,
·         protect the confidentiality of patient and professional information,
·         assist health care professionals in their quest for quality improvement and management of risk,
·         maintain currency in their profession through life-long learning, and
·         be proactive in promoting the responsible collection and use of health care information.

It is our philosophy that a firm grounding in the biologic and social sciences, humanities, and communication gives a perspective of society in which health care is provided. Such a perspective is necessary to the intelligent performance of professional responsibilities. As educators, it is our responsibility to

·         be sensitive to the needs of our communities of interest, i.e., the students, the employers, the health care environment and the college,
·         maintain currency in our profession and educational techniques,
·         promote the development of professionalism in the students through appropriate role-modeling,
·         assist interested, educationally disadvantaged students to prepare for program entry through appropriate advising and referral, and
·         assure that the curriculum prepares the students to meet entry-level national competencies as well as local employer needs.

1.   Faculty will demonstrate current knowledge, skills, qualifications and professional development in the content areas they teach.  

1. 100% of HIT faculty teaching HIM-specific courses must have current HIM credentials, should possess a baccalaureate degree or higher, and must meet college and AHIMA continuing education requirements
2. Faculty will satisfactorily complete pre- and post-tenure evaluation processes as outlined in college policy.

2.   Program graduates will demonstrate the HIM entry-level.

1. 75% or more of all HIT graduates taking the RHIT exam will pass on first writing.
2. Overall achievement for the HIT graduating class on the RHIT exam on first writing will be at or above the national mean.

 3.   The HIM curriculum will include, at minimum, the required knowledge clusters with content and experiences to enable students to meet current entry-level competencies.

1. 100% of the AHIMA Domains, Subdomains and Tasks and 100% of the AHIMA Knowledge Clusters will be incorporated into the HIT curriculum.
2. 100% of the AHIMA Knowledge Clusters will be incorporated into the Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist (MCRS) curriculum.
3. 100% of the HIT and MCRS courses will have current syllabi which list detailed course competencies and CAHIIM Domains, Subdomains and Tasks as well as the AHIMA Knowledge Clusters with taxonomic levels appropriate to those courses.
4. Graduating students will express satisfaction with program content and method of instruction.
5. The HIT program will retain Accreditation by CAHIIM.
6. The MCRS program will retain Approval Status through AHIMA.

 4.   The HIM program will demonstrate responsiveness to the needs of the communities of interest.

1. All HCI faculty teaching HIM-specific courses are members of, and participate in, at least one HIM leadership role or committee activity annually.
2. Two HCI advisory committee meetings will be held annually

5.   Students will be provided a learning environment that assists them in successfully achieving course objectives and requirements.

1. 100% of HIT clinical practice sites selected will demonstrate excellence in instruction and adherence with institutional objectives.
2. 80% or more respondents on the graduating student survey will indicate that the classrooms, computer resources, library, and study areas met or exceeded their expectations.

6.   Students will demonstrate professionalism and responsibility in the HIM field.

1. 99% of items on student evaluation forms from HIT clinical practice supervisors will indicate a "Good" rating related to affective behaviors.