Health Information Specialist Certificate and Degree Program in Sacramento

Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Career Training

Looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field? Asher College’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information program gets you trained and on your path to a rewarding career through hands-on training and the support of dedicated instructors.

Our AAS in Health Information degree program is tailored to those students who require a flexible schedule to meet their education goals. You’ll be able to take classes during the day, evening, and even on the weekends.

The best way to see if Asher College is the right fit for you is to see it for yourself. You can tour our facilities and meet with both students and instructors. Book a Tour Now or Get More Info.

Becoming a Health Information Specialist 

As a Health Information Specialist, you’ll contribute to the delivery of healthcare by collecting, maintaining, and analyzing health information. The information that you provide is required by nurses, doctors, and other health providers to treat patients properly.

Our Associate of Applied Science in Health Information program prepares you for responsibilities in this field by training you in important skills ranging from medical front office, to advanced billing and basic coding.

As a student, you’ll benefit from lectures and instruction in the classroom alongside hands-on practice with medical records, medical billing, and medical coding.

Learn more about your future career in healthcare today and see just how far you can go with Asher College.

*Program can be completed in 16 months at a twenty-four hour a week rate of pursuit.

Next Start Dates

Health Information Specialist Degree

Sacramento Campus

Asher College’s Sacramento Campus opened in 2010, and its graduates are now employed throughout the Sacramento region. We provide classroom and hands-on training experience that focuses on the skills identified by our Sacramento advisory board made up of local Sacramento employers.

Vocational College

When you choose Asher College in Sacramento for your education and training, you will join the many Asher alumni currently employed in and around the region.

Trade School

As a student at Asher College Sacramento, you will have access to our facilities and resources, personalized instruction from experienced faculty, and the support of staff and fellow students, and as a graduate of Asher College Sacramento, you will be positioned for numerous employment opportunities.

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Health Information Specialist

  • 9% Job Growth Over Next 10 Years
  • Graduates hired by hospitals, physicians’ offices, & insurance agencies
  • 3 Certification Tracks (Including CMAA & CEHRS)
  • Advance into Health Information Management, Clinical Data Analysis, Healthcare Security and much more!

See available jobs in your area

Dallas Las Vegas Sacramento

*Reference- https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-9021.00

Health Information Specialist Program Details

The Health Information Specialist program gives you the comprehensive set of skills necessary to become employable as a Health Information Specialist working for…

  • The office of a doctor, dentist or chiropractor
  • Insurance companies, or
  • Facilities such as a clinic, hospital, or skilled nursing center

You’ll also have the career knowledge to:

  • Adhere to HIPAA, Federal and State regulations concerning confidentiality in the medical field
  • Utilize software applications to manage all aspects of computerized patient record keeping, including proper application of medical diagnosis, procedures, and billing information
  • Record and manage insurance billing and reimbursement activities, as well as knowledge of some medical coding

In addition, the student will develop the keyboarding skills and technical skills needed to be an efficient worker in today’s computerized workplace. You’ll also work on developing the soft skills that employers look for and cound on in the workplace.

After completing your core curriculum, you’ll review the following three certification options with your instructor and schedule your National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification exam.

  • CMAA Certified Medical Administration Assistant / National Healthcareer Association
  • CEHRS Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist / National Healthcareer Association
  • CBCS Certified Billing & Coding Specialist / National Healthcareer Association

By completing an Associate Degree, you’ll demonstrate to employers that you’re ready for supervisory or management responsibilities based on the additional investment that you’ve made in your education. We’re also willing to accept transfer credits from other institutions on a case-by-case basis.

Here’s what you will learn in the Health Information Specialist degree program:

MOE100 MS Essentials
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will be able to perform essential functions in Word, Excel & Outlook. They will learn to navigate the software and create documents, workbooks, and emails while using Microsoft’s tools and short-cuts. Students identify features to open, navigate, edit and print documents in Word, format data in a spreadsheet and create formulas in Excel, and manage messages, tasks, and appointments in Outlook, resulting in the entry-level skills necessary to use these programs in the work environment.

MOE100 MS Essentials
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will be able to perform essential functions in Word, Excel & Outlook. They will learn to navigate the software and create documents, workbooks, and emails while using Microsoft’s tools and short-cuts. Students identify features to open, navigate, edit and print documents in Word, format data in a spreadsheet and create formulas in Excel, and manage messages, tasks, and appointments in Outlook, resulting in the entry-level skills necessary to use these programs in the work environment.

TF100 Typing Fundamentals
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will learn to type a minimum of 35 words per minute. They will learn keystroke fundamentals, keyboard by touch, and proper 10-key form.

PBS111 Office Administration
Prerequisite(s): MSW101 MS Word or MOE100 Microsoft Office Essentials

Students will be able to commentate effectively, handle incoming phone calls, creating emails using proper email etiquette and guidelines and public speaking. Students will learn how to utilize various pieces of office equipment which will allow them to properly distribute documents, file, handle paper and electronic records, and process incoming and outgoing mail with confidentiality.

HS204 Medical Law and Ethics
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will be able to identify the fundamentals of HIPAA Privacy training, differences between Privacy and Security, as well as the concepts of administrative simplification. Students will be able to use HIPAA training as it impacts the health care workforce and those in their care. Students will be able to identify how HIPAA impacts the insurance industry and its workforce.

HS201 Medical Terminology
Prerequisite(s): HS204 Medical Law and Ethics

Students will be able to proficiently use medical terms, medical abbreviations and acronyms and the relationship of medical Terminology to Anatomy and Physiology. Students will be able to use the proper spelling of medical systems and medical terminology as it relates to other health care specialties.

HS202 Human Anatomy & Physiology
Prerequisite(s): HS201 Medical Terminology

Students will know the twelve main sections of the human anatomy including structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Students will understand physiological concepts and processes of the human body’s systems and the medical terminology necessary to perform proper diagnostic and procedure coding.

HS401 Electronic Health Records
Prerequisite(s): HS202 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Students will be able to use key medical terminology and medical information regarding the medical field, administrative responsibilities, financial responsibilities and medical records and documentation.

HS208 Heath Information Billing and Coding
Prerequisite(s): HS201 Medical Terminology

Students will be able to process health insurance documentation, claims submission, code insurance claims, and process reimbursements. Students will be able to use ICD-9 and CPT codes and HIPAA Federal and state regulations for hospital billing.

HIT101 Health Information Technology
Prerequisite(s): HS208 Health Information Billing and Coding

Students will be able to document the clinical flow of acute care records, create uniform bill, retrieve, aggregate, analyze and report on information collected based on requirements provided in common health care scenarios. They will be able to manage health records using a variety of file identification methodologies and chart locator systems – both physical and electronic.

CS101 Career Success
Prerequisite(s): NA

Students will be able to maximize their potential by being mindful of how self-talk impacts their habits, attitude, beliefs and expectations. Students also learn strategies to eliminate procrastination and achieve goals. Each student will complete a DISC profile to better understand their preferred communication style, how it relates to their own personal and professional development and how their DiSC style relates to others.

CD201 Advanced Career Development
Prerequisite(s): Students must have completed 80% of their program.

Students will be able to search for a job within their field of study, conduct themselves professionally in a job interview and provide a resume tailored to each job position applied for. This course is designed for three particular points of views; those looking to change careers, those looking to advance their career and those who are entrepreneurs and want to start their own business. Career Services will put your career goals first, it is time you did as well.

Critical Thinking or Introduction to Psychology
Prerequisite(s): NA

Critical Thinking or Introduction to Psychology

Business Communication
Prerequisite(s): NA

Business Communication

Prerequisite(s): NA

Business Math

Prerequisite(s): NA

Introduction to Business

Prerequisite(s): NA

Principles of Management or Leadership

GE106 American Government
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

Students will be able to understand the intricacies of the Constitution, the complexities of federalism, the meanings of civil liberties, and the conflicts over civil rights. This course explains how people are socialized to politics, acquire and express opinions, and participate in political life; describes interest groups, political parties, and elections—the intermediaries that link people to government and politics; details the branches of government and how they operate; and shows how policies are made and affect people’s lives. Nevada Students also take a Nevada Constitution course.

Additional GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

GE101 Critical Thinking*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to comprehend, analyze, and create inductive and deductive arguments. This course presents a variety of topics essential to a student's development in critical thinking in addition to arguments, such as informal fallacies, modes of persuasion, perspective and bias, language, and meaning, culminating in the development of reasonable strategies for belief formation. *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE107 Introduction to Psychology. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

GE102 Business Communication
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to develop all types of business communication, including letters, memos, electronic communication, written reports, oral presentations, and interpersonal communication. The course also includes topics of resumes, application letters, interviewing tips, and employment follow-up documents. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

GE103 Business Math
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to apply math fundamentals to business applications. Topics include a basic math review, business statistics, profit calculations, payroll, banking, interest calculations, insurance, taxes, and other business topics. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

GE104 Introduction to Business
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand business in an increasingly global society with an introduction to business terminology, concepts, environments, systems, strategies, and current issues. Topics include an overview of the business environment, business ethics, entrepreneurship, global business, management, marketing, production, information systems, and financial elements of business. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

GE105 Principles of Management*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to apply effective management principles to today’s dynamic business environment. Students will gain an understanding of the Principles of Management within the dimensions of the planning-organizing-leading-controlling (P-O-L-C) framework. Topics include roles of personality and values in determining work behaviors, setting goals and objectives, and communication within organizations. In addition, students will define organizational culture, structure and change while examining the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM). *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE108 Leadership. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

GE106 American Government
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand the intricacies of the Constitution, the complexities of federalism, the meanings of civil liberties, and the conflicts over civil rights. This course explains how people are socialized to politics, acquire and express opinions, and participate in political life; describes interest groups, political parties, and elections—the intermediaries that link people to government and politics; details the branches of government and how they operate; and shows how policies are made and affect people’s lives. Nevada Students also take a Nevada Constitution course. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

GE107 Introduction to Psychology*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to intelligently discuss intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and understand theories of motivation proposed for instincts, drive reduction, self-efficacy, and social motives. In this course students will learn about the history and understand the score of study in the field of industrial and organizational psychology. *This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE101 Critical Thinking. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

GE108 Leadership*
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses

Students will be able to understand and apply leadership’s crucial skill areas; those related to the foundational elements, conceptual elements, human elements, technical elements, and political elements of effective leadership. Students will hone their skill bases in these areas through assessing their own level of competence in each skill and practicing the skills to improve their leadership effectiveness. * This is an elective course. Students may substitute for GE105 Principles of Management. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the certificate-level courses.

Industry Relations

We bring in plenty of guest speakers to give you insight into the industry that you intend to break into. Get inside tips from industry employers, alumni, and people who work in the field on how to create opportunity for yourself.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate from the Health Information Specialist Degree program you could enjoy an exciting career as:

  • Health Information Specialist
  • Health Information Technician
  • Medical Records Coordinator
  • Medical Records Analyst
  • Verification Specialist
  • Information Analyst
  • Medical Records Abstractor
  • Data Support Analyst

Not Sure if You’re Ready for Career Training? Find Out!
Take the Asher College “Career Training 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 Career Training Readiness Score

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Build Career Success Skills

Your time at Asher won’t just be devoted to learning the technical skills of your chosen profession — we also prepare you for the job search with interview tactics, communication skills, resume preparation, and cover letter writing.

An Asher College instructor will work with you one-on-one to develop these skills so that you’ll feel confident about pursuing your career once you graduate.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid: Funding Your Career Training

We offer Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Veteran training benefits. Our Financial Aid administrators and VA School Certifying Officials will work with you to find the best financial solution to fit your needs. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. To learn more, visit our Financial Aid page.

Veterans Education Benefits: Asher College is rated as a Military Friendly® school. For over 15 years, Viqtory Media’s ranking of Military Friendly® schools has helped veterans take their education into their own hands when choosing which schools afford them the best opportunities. Military Benefits Accepted at Asher College include Chapter 31, 33, and 35. To learn more, visit our Veterans Education benefits page.

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Asher College Locations

Asher College has 3 accredited campus locations in Nevada, Texas, and California. Each of our campuses provides a unique learning experience, helping you become a career-ready professional. Explore your career options today!

Dallas Campus

Las Vegas Campus

Sacramento Campus

Ready for a Career in Medical, Business, or IT?

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