Program Objective
The goal of the online Certificate in Health Informatics and Information Management is to provide the basic skills needed to practice in an electronic healthcare environment for the student who does not wish to complete the masters. The certificate curriculum will allow the healthcare practitioner to obtain the basic skills needed to practice in an electronic environment.
Admissions - Certificate Program
- Baccalaureate degree in a health-related discipline
- Three letters of recommendation from previous college instructors or immediate supervisors
- Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of TOEFL, with minimal score of 550; 213 on the computerized version.
- Personal interview with the admissions committee
- Ability to meet published technical standards of the College of Health Professions and the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management
- A completed application form including an essay describing the applicant’s career goals. A non- refundable application fee must accompany the application.
State Authorization
As outlined in the college section of this bulletin, students completing all or a portion of an educational program who reside outside of the state in which the program originates (i.e., for UTHSC students residing outside of the state of Tennessee while enrolled in an online program) must be authorized per statute to do so by the state in which they live. The University of Tennessee is responsible for securing all necessary authorizations across the US. Students seeking admission to the online HIIM certificate who plan to live outside of Tennessee while completing the degree should contact the program director to confirm the presence of the necessary state authorization.
Technical Standards
For admission to the Health Informatics and Information Management certificate program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, students are expected to be able to successfully meet the Technical Standards as outlined below. Students are required to sign the Technical Standards Commitment form indicating their understanding and ability to meet these standards either with or without accommodations. Any questions about these technical standards should be addressed to Dr. Rebecca Reynolds, Chair.
UTHSC receives applications from a diverse body of potential students including those with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations to help students meet these technical standards will be provided where appropriate. Any student wishing accommodations should contact the Student Academic Support Service. Information regarding Disability Support can be found in CenterScope (http://catalog.uthsc.edu/index.php?catoid=20), the UTHSC student handbook.
Students should be able to reasonably perform:
Motor Skills
Candidates for admission must have sufficient motor function to work with a computer including generating input and output in a manner sufficient to meet deadlines and productivity standards.
Communication Skills
Candidates for admission must be able to efficiently, effectively and professionally communicate in English in oral and written form. Candidates must have the ability to participate in discussion in the clinical arena and with colleagues. Candidates must have the ability to understand and complete reading assignments and to search and evaluate the literature. Candidates must be able to complete written assignments and maintain written records.
General Abilities
Candidates must be able to acquire, synthesize and apply information developed through course instruction, clinical experiences, independent learning, and consultation. Candidates must possess organizational skills and be able to solve one or more problems within specific time frames. Candidates must have the ability to perform duties and assignments in a timely fashion while under stress and in a variety of settings.
Professional Behavior and Conduct
Candidates for admission to the MHIIM Program must demonstrate the ability to follow instructions/procedures with accuracy and precision. Candidates must possess the ability to maintain intellectual and emotional stability and maturity under stress, while also maintaining appropriate performance standards. Candidates must have the ability to manage time, organize workload and meet deadlines. Candidates must be able to learn and exhibit professional attributes. Candidates must adhere to safety guidelines for self and others and be able to comply with standards and regulations required by external agencies. Candidates must have the ability to function as part of a team and to delegate responsibilities appropriately.
One of the primary roles of anyone on a healthcare team, including those in Health Informatics and Information Management, is to ensure the basic safety and welfare of patients at all times, as well as for a safe working environment. If this cannot be done, the student is determined to be unable to meet the basic Technical Standards of the program and the College. In the event a student cannot fulfill these Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodations at any time in their program, the student will be ineligible for admission or continued enrollment in the program
