Career Description

Healthcare Administrative Specialist is ideal for individuals interested in healthcare careers, but are not interested in hands-on patient care. The medical community depends on educated staff to collect, interpret, analyze, protect and organize medical information so that it may be used for continuity of care, reimbursement, and quality improvement. Health administrative professionals work closely with providers, nurses, and other healthcare staff to contribute to quality patient care behind the scenes. Opportunities exist in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, behavioral health facilities, insurance agencies, home health agencies, consulting firms, government agencies, and medical supply organizations.

Program Information

The 31-credit Healthcare Administrative Specialist Diploma program prepares students to assume duties in the healthcare field including patient service representative, registration, scheduling, and release of information. Graduates of the diploma program will be able maintain accuracy and completeness of the patient record as defined by organizational policy and external regulations and standards, apply policies and procedures for access and disclosure of personal health information, and apply confidentiality and security measures to protect electronic health information.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of how their role fits into and affects their department, other departments, and the organization;
• Identify and utilize appropriate technologies used to capture, retrieve, and maintain information from internal and external sources;
• Apply knowledge of human structure and function, diseases and disorders, and medical terminology as it relates to their healthcare role;
• Apply policies, procedures, and regulation standards surrounding issues of access and disclosure of protected health information and organizational compliance;
• Identify documentation in the health record to ensure it supports the diagnosis and reflects the patient’s progress, clinical findings, and discharge status;
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication within the healthcare environment;
• Describe positive work behaviors, personal traits and attitudes desirable in members of a healthcare team; and
• Explain accepted ethical practices with respect to cultural, social, religious and ethnic differences within the healthcare environment.

Special Program Requirements

Admissions

The A.A.S. degree and diploma are offered as full-time programs. Students can start at the beginning of fall or spring. This program is a combination of in-class room, hybrid (both in-class, LiveOnline and online), and online formats. Students pursuing the A.A.S. degree will find the second year courses are offered in an online format to allow for employment while completing the degree.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below

https//apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http//www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
Salary information from indeed.com