The University of Findlay offers a Health Informatics program aimed at preparing individuals to enhance healthcare through technology, featuring a master’s degree and certificate with various courses focusing on healthcare data management and systems. The program is distinguished by its online delivery, small class sizes, and professional practice experience internship. With over 20% projected growth in health informatics roles, graduates can expect diverse job opportunities and competitive salaries in various work settings.

1. The University of Findlay
Health Informatics Program
John Richey, MBA, RHIA
Program Director
The University of Findlay
1000 North Main Street
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Phone: 419-434-5594
Email: richey@findlay.edu
Website: www.findlay.edu (Keyword - informatics)
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2. Health Informatics - Defined
Health informatics applies principles of
computer and information science to the
advancement of life sciences research,
health professions education, public
health, and patient care.
◦ Source: www.amia.org
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3. Health Informatics - Defined
The science that allows for seamless and
secure access to patient medical records,
laboratory results, medications and their
administration, x-ray images, staffing,
scheduling, supplies, inventory
management, and a variety of other
essential clinical and business functions.
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4. Health Informatics
 Bottom Line – it’s all about the data!
 The more accurate and managed a
healthcare facility’s data, the better their
reimbursement potential
 The difference between success and
failure will be the extent to which
facilities leverage and use their available
data
 Data analytics, data modeling and
statistics skills are crucial
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5. Health Informatics Program -
Mission
To prepare individuals to influence the
future of healthcare through the use of
technology
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6. Academic Program Structure
 Master of Science:
◦ 12 courses, 33 semester hours,
six semesters or two years
◦ First students seated in Fall, 2011
◦ Plan to seek CAHIIM Accreditation
 Certificate:
◦ Six courses, 17 semester hours,
three semesters or one year, and
◦ ½ of Master of Science curriculum
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7. Master of Science Curriculum
 HINF 501 - Introduction to Health Informatics
 HINF 523 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Informatics
 HINF 541 - Introduction to Clinical Information Systems
 HINF 553 - Database Systems for Healthcare
 HINF 570 - Research Methods in Informatics
 HINF 620 - Healthcare Delivery Outcomes
 HINF 622 - Healthcare Networking & Security
 HINF 632 - Politics and Policies in Health Informatics
 HINF 660 - Healthcare Project Management
 HINF 673 - Health Informatics Organizational Issues
 HINF 690 - Professional Practice Experience (Internship)
 HINF 691 - Capstone
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8. Certificate Curriculum
 HINF 501 – Introduction to Health Informatics
 HINF 523 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Health
Informatics
 HINF 541 – Introduction to Clinical
Information Systems
 HINF 553 – Database Systems for Healthcare
 HINF 620 – Healthcare Delivery Outcomes
 HINF 690 – Professional Practice Experience
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9. What sets Findlay’s program apart?
 Courses delivered mostly online – Hybrid:
 Weekly, online, live synchronous sessions with
instructor
 Unscheduled asynchronous activities on your own
 One in-person, on-campus session per course
 Degree requires a Professional Practice
Experience (internship)
 Unpaid, but valuable “bridge” into workforce
 Internship placement as close to student’s home as
possible
 No GRE required!
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10. What sets Findlay’s program apart?
 AHIMA V-Lab Software:
 Students use this suite of software applications to
practice and build skills
 Includes the Cerner Electronic Health Records
system for real-world applied experience
 33 Semester Hours
 Lower cost as compared to other programs
 Small classes:
 1 to 4 Faculty-Student ratio, yielding nearly
individual attention!
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11. Admission Requirements
 Possess Bachelor’s degree
 Apply online, $25 application fee
 Advising appointment
 Complete prerequisite courses
 Submit:
◦ Official transcripts
◦ Résumé
◦ Essay question responses
◦ 3 written recommendations
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12. Students typically enter the program
from four disciplines/backgrounds:
 Clinical:
◦ Nurse/Pharmacist/Physician/Technician/Other
◦ Wants to transition to “the business side” of
healthcare
 Computer Science/Information Systems:
◦ Wants to practice in the healthcare arena
 Health Information Management (HIM):
◦ Medical Records/Electronic Health Records
 Business
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13. Health Informatics
Projected Growth
 The US Department of Labor estimates
>20% growth in the demand for trained
individuals prepared to be administrators,
specialists, consultants, educators, and
researchers
◦ National Data Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Survey
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14. Work Settings for
Health Informaticians
• Acute care hospitals and systems
• Physician offices/group practices
• EHR Vendors
• Academic institutions
• Government agencies and the military
• Public Health
• Research facilities
• Law firms and Insurance companies
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15. Salaries for
Health Informaticians
 Entry-level positions can pay $30,000 –
$40,000/yr
 Administrative/executive-level positions
can pay over $100,000/yr
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16. Membership Associations
For health informatics-related
professional practice support and
membership services, consider:
◦ The American Health Information
Management Association (AHIMA)
◦ The American Medical Informatics
Association (AMIA)
◦ The Healthcare Information and
Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
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