MxCC Health Information Management Associate Degree Program Earns National Accreditation

September 9, 2019 (Middletown, Conn.) — Middlesex Community College is pleased to announce that the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) awarded Initial Accreditation to the college’s associate degree program in Health Information Management (HIM). Middlesex now offers the only nationally accredited HIM associate degree program in Connecticut. The CAHIIM accreditation enables students completing the degree program to be eligible to sit for the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credentialing exam.

CAHIIM accredited logo“The reward from much hard work and patience on the part of so many people comes at an ideal time when just such a program is needed to provide Connecticut’s workforce with these exact abilities and skills to tackle the growing challenges in healthcare,” said James Donaher, president of the Connecticut Health Information Management Association (CtHIMA).

“A site team that visited the college in June was extremely impressed with the college and our program,” noted Steven Minkler, MxCC’s chief executive officer. “The team was delighted to report the following program strengths: A dedicated and enthusiastic program director, strong institutional support including at the presidential level, a loyal and engaged advisory board that is also willing to hire our graduates, a robust HIM student orientation, online faculty training, and commendable marketing efforts.”

The Health Information Management degree program also provides a fully articulated pathway to the CAHIIM accredited baccalaureate program at Charter Oak State College, the state’s public college with online degree programs. Graduates of the bachelor degree program are eligible to sit for the Registered Health information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing exam.

In addition to the associate degree, Middlesex Community College offers a Health Information Management Certificate clinical coding program that is approved by the AHIMA Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP). Graduates of the HIM certificate program are eligible to sit for AHIMA coding certification exams including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P)

Health information professionals acquire, analyze and protect medical information. The health information management field combines business, health sciences and information technology skills. With health information technician jobs expected to increase 15% in the next ten years, these credentials will enable program graduates to enter skilled positions as health information professionals. This credential can set graduates apart with expertise that employers are looking for, leading to increased salary and career enhancement. Graduates find work at outpatient clinics, hospitals, home health agencies, insurance companies, physicians’ offices and long-term care facilities.

For more information on the Health Information Management associate degree and certificate programs at MxCC, please visit the MxCC website.

Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the main 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden, and online.