The program is a "2+2," meaning the student completes the first two years of core courses, and the last two years in Augusta University's College of Allied Health Sciences. Students begin the Augusta University program fall semester of their junior year. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the national registration exam to become a RHIA.
After completing your formal education, the next step is to successfully complete the American Health Information Management Association certification exam. A credential validates your competence as a HIA professional to employers and the public. Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) - This credential requires a bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate certificate and successful performance on the RHIA certification exam.
Our faculty. The Health Information Administration program at Augusta University features faculty members who are Registered Health Information Administrators with more than 55 years of professional experience. These faculty members also possess additional HIA-related credentials, providing students with a wider, more diverse learning experience, and teach three-quarters of our professional curriculum.
A student graduating with a major in Health Information Administration from Augusta University is will prepared to assume an entry-level position in this professional field. Specifically, program outcomes are designed to assure that graduates of the program will be prepared to demonstrate:
Augusta University offers an applied informatics degree in Health Information Administration.
Informatics encompasses the impact technology has on people, the development of new
uses for technology and the application of information technology in the context of
another field. This degree prepares graduates for informatics-related roles in the
health care delivery system. Graduates of our program are eligible to take a national
credentialing exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
Health information administrators are frequently referred to as health information
managers.
RHIAs organize the evidence used in evidence-based medicine. They arm the provider
with organized evidence to support patient care, reimbursement, teaching, research,
quality improvement and legal inquiries. Accomplished in the art and science of electronic
information systems, these professionals serve as advocates of the patient-provider
relationship and the information suppliers for the business side of evidence-based
medicine.
Health Information Administrators manage people and information. They must be able to supervise others, think logically, understand how systems function and interact, apply business theory for effective work processes, write and speak clearly, and discreetly handle confidential information. HIAs who have interests in computer science, business administration, health science, and health care facility administration are well suited for a career in the health informatics field.
Heath care + technology = success for you!
Opportunities for an applied health informatics career are excellent. HIAs are in demand now and the outlook for the future is strong. Professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the health care industry, from hospitals and clinics to insurance agencies and software vendors. HIA professionals with a bachelor's degree enjoy a broad selection of job opportunities and options for professional growth. Based on skills, education, and interests, options include:
HIA professionals can expect to be in high demand as the health sector expands. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information technology as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await HIA graduates. More than half of new HIA graduates with a bachelor's degree start with salaries in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Within five years, one can earn $50,000-$75,000 annually.
