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Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Release of Health Information Specialist

Career Studies Certificate
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

This program is included in: G3

Designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills needed for employment as a release of health information specialist. Release of health information specialists assemble, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with administrative, legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Duties could include retrieving patient medical records, protecting the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained, and releasing information to persons or agencies according to regulations. 

Outcomes

Recognize and implement professional policies and procedures related to the legal and ethical use of medical information; Interpret health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical indicators and disease processes, pharmacology, and medical terminology; Apply knowledge of major reimbursement systems in the United States to the preparation of universal billing claims; and Demonstrate behaviors and dispositions that are in accord with professional ethics and behavior, including integrity, respect for privacy, and commitment to professional growth.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree This program is designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills needed for employment as a release of health information specialist. Release of health information specialists assemble, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with administrative, legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Duties could include retrieving patient medical records, protecting the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained, and releasing information to persons or agencies according to regulations.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

General college curricular admission
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Students take the required courses after completing SDV 101 and a personal wellness course and ITE 115. Only 4 additional HIM courses are required and, with advisor guidance, can be completed in 1-2 semesters

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses Students take courses including Medical Terminology, fundamental of health information systems, healthcare information systems and legal aspects of health record documentation
Doing More With Your Degree Release of health information specialists work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, insurance companies, and government agencies.
Program Successes & Highlights Students who complete the career studies certificate will be expected to work in the health care industry's revenue cycle process and have the capability of recognizing and implementing professional policies and procedures related to the legal and ethical use of medical information
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Release of Health Information Specialist
16
Career Studies Certificate in Release of Health Information Specialist
16
Course Grad Req 221-152-02
16
Release of Info 221-152-02
16
SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HLT 143
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIM 141
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIM 130
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIM 226
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Personal Wellness Elective
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Not Required
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning Prior learning is considered
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
916
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100% of students who have earned an American high school diploma or completed a GED or equivalency.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? https://issuu.com/reynoldscommunitycollege/docs/digital_hs_recruitment_packet?fr=sZmMwOTQ3OTA5NA
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Not Required
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeHealth Information Management, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Health Information ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-9021.00Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsApply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2072.00Medical Records SpecialistsCompile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 16 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Career Studies Certificate in Release of Health Information Specialist at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 1 semesters or 0.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $2,608 $0 $2,608
Fees
Additional Fees $0 Per Semester $0 0 $0 Additional fees per semester of $8.50 for In-State and $32.00 for Out-of-State students.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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