Program Description
The Health Informatics curriculum focuses on training for administrative/business positions in a health care setting or as an introduction to clinical professions. The business of health care increasingly relies on the skills of the office manager such as interpersonal, communication and technical skills. Careers of this nature typically range in pay depending on location, duties and skill levels from $10.50 per hour to over $20 per hour with certification. Externships and field placements provide experience and on-the-job-training in health care offices. These practical experiences are vital in developing a sense of realism for the coursework and provide excellent networking opportunities. The Health Informatics teaching staff was nationally certified in coding instruction through the American Academy of Professional Coders in January of 2008.

Curriculum Components
Diagnostic and Procedural Coding
Medical Office Administration
Medical Terminology
Health Insurance
Human Biology
Workplace Communications/21 st Century Skills
Transcription
Microcomputer Applications
Business English
Guest Lectures by Health Care Professionals
First Aid/CPR/AED Certification

Career Work Experience
• Field trips
• Work-based job shadows
• School-to-Work cooperative opportunities

Employment in the field
Former students are working in the field of health care in the following positions: compliance, medical orders processor, medical records clerk, health information clerk I & II, charge specialist, clinical assistants, patient account representatives, transcription support, scheduling specialists, department assistants, film librarian, implementation specialist, and staff assistant.

College Connection
Upon completion of this program, students who achieve a grade of B or better in Health Information Management and complete the assessment from the Vermont Technical College (VTC), can earn 5 college credits. VTC credit is awarded for the following components of the HIM Program: Information Processing three credits, Spreadsheets and Databases two credits.

Industry Partners
Fletcher Allen Health Care, Visiting Nurse Association, Veterans' Affairs Outreach Clinic, Champlain Valley Urgent Care, Eyecare of Vermont, Associates in Gastroenterology, Central Vermont Medical Center, Medquist, Community Health Center.

High School Credits Awarded:
• One Science credit
• One English credit
• One Math credit
• Four electrive credits

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