2018 – 2019
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Healthcare Informatics Specialist 
Career Cluster:	Health Science

CCC	
CIP Number	0351070712	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	24 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA: Future Health Professionals	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	29-2071 Medical Records and Health Information Technicians	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Health Information Technology AS degree program (1351070700).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry level Healthcare Informatics Specialists or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in related health record or information technology occupations.

The content includes but is not limited to biomedical sciences, medical terminology, healthcare delivery systems, basic principles of healthcare informatics; electronic health/medical record systems; data and workflow management concepts; and project management skills specific to healthcare informatics, ethical and legal concepts, health data content, and employability skills. 

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Explore health informatics and information management as a profession.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of health data concepts.
05.0	Describe the functions of a health record.
06.0	Demonstrate a basic understanding of Health Information Technology.
07.0	Discuss classification systems, clinical vocabularies and terminologies.
08.0	Explore ethical issues in Health Informatics and Information Management.
09.0	Identify the importance of privacy and health records law in healthcare.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate health services organization and delivery system regulations. 
11.0	Demonstrate computer knowledge and skills.
12.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
13.0	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the various informatics related disciplines.
14.0	Demonstrate ethical and legal principles with regard to the role of the informatics specialist.  
15.0	Utilize valid resources in healthcare informatics to retrieve and analyze relevant information. 
16.0	Manage health data. 
17.0	Manage healthcare statistics, including biomedical research and quality. 
18.0	Utilize appropriate information technology and systems. 
19.0	Apply project management principles and practices to health informatics activities. 
20.0	Participate in the planning, design, selection, implementation, integration, testing, and support for health information systems. 
21.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles related to health record data and work flow management. 
22.0	Demonstrate proficiency in electronic health/medical record systems and work flow management. 
23.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the application and integration of healthcare informatics concepts and skills through practical lab experiences. 

2018 – 2019
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Healthcare Informatics Specialist
CIP Number:		0351070712
Program Length:	24 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		29-2071

This certificate program is part of the Health Information Technology AS degree program (1351070700).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
	
01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations–The student will be able to:	
01.01	Discuss the evolution of healthcare.	
01.02	Demonstrate an understanding of the infrastructure of healthcare in the United States.	
01.03	Discuss regulatory agencies and organizations within the healthcare delivery system	
01.04	Recognize levels of education, credentialing requirements, employment opportunities, workplace environments and career growth potential.	
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively–The student will be able to:	
02.01	Develop basic speaking and active listening skills.	
02.02	Develop basic observational skills and related documentation strategies in written and oral form.	
02.03	Identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful communication including barriers. 	
02.04	Respond to verbal and non-verbal cues. 	
02.05	Compose written communication including emails using correct spelling, grammar, formatting and confidentiality. 	
02.06	Observe professional e-mail practices and etiquette.	
02.07	Use appropriate medical terminology and abbreviations. 	
02.08	Recognize the importance of courtesy and respect for patients and other healthcare workers and maintain good interpersonal relationships. 	
02.09	Recognize the importance of patient/client educations regarding healthcare. 	
02.10	Adapt communication skills to varied levels of understanding and cultural orientation including diverse age, cultural, economic, ethnic and religious groups. 	
02.11	Recognize elements of communication using a sender-receiver model. 	
02.12	Distinguish between and report subjective and objective information. 	
02.13	Report relevant information in order of occurrence. 	
03.0	Explore health information management as a profession–The student will be able to:	
03.01	Discuss the history of health information management.	
03.02	Discuss the professional opportunities within the health information management profession.	
03.03	Demonstrate knowledge of professional associations within HIM.	
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of health data concepts–The student will be able to:	
04.01	Describe the various uses of health data (primary and secondary).	
04.02	Describe various characteristics of health data quality and standards.	
05.0	Describe the functions of a health record–The student will be able to:	
05.01	Demonstrate an understanding of the various formats of the health record.	
05.02	Explain the various uses of a health record. 	
05.03	Follow medical records policies and procedures for security, including confidentiality. 	
06.0	Demonstrate a basic understanding of Health Information Technology–The student will be able to:	
06.01	Discuss how healthcare reform legislation can and does affect the HIT field.	
06.02	Interpret information from Electronic Health Records (EHR) and applications in healthcare	
06.03	Demonstrate an understanding of creation, use, and purpose of the electronic health record.	
07.0	Discuss classification systems, clinical vocabularies and terminologies–The student will be able to:	
07.01	Demonstrate knowledge of administrative terminologies as they relate to HIM.	
07.02	Demonstrate knowledge of clinical terminologies as they relate to HIM.	
08.0	Explore ethical issues in Health Information Management–The student will be able to:	
08.01	Describe the code of ethics consistent with healthcare occupations.	
08.02	Recognize ethical issues related to health information technology.	
08.03	Recognize ethical issues related to coding and billing/ healthcare documentation.	
08.04	Demonstrate basic knowledge of accreditation standards and licensure agencies.	
09.0	Identify the importance of privacy and health records law in healthcare–The student will be able to:	
09.01	Explain the importance of maintaining ethical and legal standards in compiling and using paper-based and electronic health/medical records.	
09.02	Identify standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 	
09.03	Define and explain the composition of the legal patient record.	
09.04	Follow medical records policies and procedures for security, including confidentiality. 	
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate health services organization and delivery system regulations. – The student will be able to:	
10.01	Demonstrate knowledge of information system policies and procedures required by national health information initiatives on the healthcare delivery system.	
10.02	Demonstrate knowledge of current laws, accreditation, licensure, and certification standards related to health information initiatives from the national, state, local, and facility levels.	
10.03	Demonstrate knowledge of policies and procedures to comply with the changing regulations among various payment systems for healthcare services such as Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, etc.	
10.04	Differentiate the roles of various providers and disciplines throughout the continuum of healthcare and respond to their information needs.	
10.05	Describe how to monitor and re-adjust workflow as necessary.	
10.06	Describe the most significant legal and regulatory requirements related to the health information infrastructure.	
10.07	Demonstrate knowledge of policies and procedures for access and disclosure of personal health information.	
10.08	Describe procedures for patient-specific data to authorized users.	
10.09	Identify and recommend solutions to privacy issues/problems.	
10.10	Implement appropriate Joint Commission patient safety goals and other applicable regulating/accrediting agency guidelines.	
11.0	Demonstrate computer knowledge and skills–The student will be able to:	
11.01	Demonstrate keyboarding skills.	
11.02	Demonstrate the ability to create, manage, organize and retrieve files.	
11.03	Demonstrate ability to connect to the internet.	
11.04	Demonstrate ability to perform research on the internet by identifying reliable websites.	
11.05	Demonstrate ability to send and receive e-mail.	
11.06	Demonstrate ability to send messages with attached files.	
11.07	Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.	
11.08	Demonstrate the ability to install software programs as downloads or from a computer disk.	
11.09	Demonstrate knowledge of safe computer practices and security procedures including but not limited to encryption, passwords and biometrics.	
12.0	Demonstrate employability skills–The student will be able to:	
12.01	Identify personal traits or attitudes desirable in a member of the healthcare team. 	
12.02	Define basic professional standards of healthcare workers as they apply to hygiene, dress, language, confidentiality and behavior (i.e. courtesy and self-introductions).	
12.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job. 	
12.04	Write an appropriate resume. 	
12.05	Conduct a job search. 	
12.06	Complete a job application form correctly.	
12.07	Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques. 	
12.08	Recognize levels of education, credentialing requirements, employment opportunities, workplace environments and career growth potential. 	
12.09	Identify acceptable work habits. 	
12.10	Recognize appropriate affective/professional behavior. 	
12.11	Compare careers within the health science career pathways (diagnostic services, therapeutic services, health informatics, support services or biotechnology research and development). 	
Healthcare Informatics Specialist:  Students completing intended outcomes 13- 23 in this module meet the requirements for the completion of Healthcare Informatics Specialist.  SOC Code 29-2071 (Medical Records and Health Information Technicians)	
13.0	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the various informatics related disciplines. – The student will be able to:	
13.01	Identify key events in the history and development of the informatics discipline, including the present industry environment and future trends.	
13.02	Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of health data standards related to the development of the computerized infrastructure necessary to support the implementation of electronic health/medical records.	
13.03	Explore the role of informatics professionals, specifically in the assessment of training needs and ethical practices to safeguard confidential health information.	
13.04	Explain the scope of practice of the healthcare informatics technician.	
14.0	Demonstrate ethical and legal principles with regard to the role of the informatics specialist  – The student will be able to:	
14.01	Discuss the Code of Ethics of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and other informatics related professional organizations.	
14.02	Explain the scope of practice of the healthcare informatics specialist.	
15.0	Utilize valid resources in healthcare informatics to retrieve and analyze relevant information. – The student will be able to:	
15.01	Demonstrate the ability to identify credible informatics resources relevant to the content, applications, and assignments.	
15.02	Utilize case studies and best practices in informatics projects and course work.	
16.0	Manage health data. –The student will be able to: 	
16.01	Collect and maintain health data (such as data elements, data sets, and databases).	
16.02	Apply policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy of health data.	
16.03	Compare clinical vocabulary systems.  	
16.04	Verify timelines, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data and data sources for patient care, management, billing reports, registries, and/or databases.	
16.05	Maintain healthcare information requirements and health data standards.	
16.06	Collect, analyze and report quality measures. 	
16.07	Maintain and interpret user access logs/audit trails to track history of access to and disclosure of identifiable patient data.	
17.0	Manage healthcare statistics, including biomedical research and quality. –The student will be able to: 	
17.01	Abstract and maintain data for clinical indices/databases/registries.	
17.02	Collect, organize, and present data for quality management, utilization management, risk management, and other related studies.	
17.03	Compute and interpret healthcare statistics.	
17.04	Understand Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and policies.	
17.05	Use specialized databases to meet specific organization needs such as medical research and disease registries.	
17.06	Abstract and report data for facility wide quality management and performance improvement programs.	
17.07	Analyze clinical data to identify trends that demonstrate quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare.	
18.0	Utilize appropriate information technology and systems. – The student will be able to: 	
18.01	Use technology, including hardware and software, to ensure data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of information. 	
18.02	Demonstrate advanced proficiency in using such as spreadsheets and databases in the execution of projects and presentations.	
18.03	Use specialized software in the completion of HIM processes such as record tracking, release of information, coding, grouping, registries, billing, quality improvement, and imaging.	
18.04	Apply policies and procedures to the use of networks, including internet and intranet applications to facilitate the electronic health record (EHR), personal health record (PHR), public health and other administrative applications. 	
18.05	Apply knowledge of data base architecture and design (such as data dictionary, data modeling, data warehousing) to meet departmental needs.	
18.06	Use appropriate electronic or imaging technology for data/record storage.	
18.07	Design, query and generate reports to facilitate information retrieval.	
18.08	Apply retention and destruction policies for health information.	
18.09	Maintain archival and retrieval systems for patient information stored in multiple formats.	
18.10	Coordinate, use, and maintain systems for document imaging and storage. 	
18.11	Apply confidentiality and security measures to protect electronic health information.	
18.12	Protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology.	
18.13	Apply departmental and organizational data and information system security policies	
18.14	Use and summarize data compiled from audit trails and data quality monitoring programs.	
19.0	Apply project management principles and practices to health informatics activities. – The student will be able to:	
19.01	Demonstrate an understanding of the definition and general principles of healthcare informatics project management.	
19.02	Demonstrate skills associated with planning, executing, and tracking a healthcare informatics project.	
19.03	Demonstrate abilities related to managing work teams, allocating project resources, and resolving problems associated with a healthcare informatics project.	
20.0	Participate in the planning, design, selection, implementation, integration, testing, and support for health information systems – The student will be able to: 	
20.01	Demonstrate the ability to research best practices and perform a needs assessment to determine the architecture and system specifications needed for selection of an electronic health/medical record system for specific healthcare environments.	
20.02	Evaluate, select, and implement information technologies to manage health data and systems in various healthcare settings, i.e. hospitals, clinics, physician practices.	
20.03	Identify technological and behavioral barriers and potential solutions associated with electronic health/medical record implementation initiatives.	
20.04	Utilize project management skills and tools.	
20.05	Develop S.M.A.R.T. goals for Health Information Technology projects.	
20.06	Identify appropriate input/output devices and hardware configuration.	
20.07	Assess workflow and process assessment as it pertains to information technology. 	
20.08	Describe information systems theory and the system development life cycle.	
20.09	Demonstrate an understanding of strategic planning for implementation of health information systems. 	
20.10	Evaluate security standards including physical, virtual, and network risk areas. 	
20.11	Assist in the development of end-user training sessions, including planning training sessions and development of training material. 	
21.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles related to health record data and work flow management. – The student will be able to:	
21.01	Demonstrate an understanding of the architectural and operational components of an integrated health management information system.	
21.02	Demonstrate knowledge of health/medical record relational database design, management, and data warehousing/mining for decision support.	
21.03	Demonstrate the ability to utilize data flow diagrams and process design and redesign methodologies.	
22.0	Demonstrate proficiency in electronic health/medical record systems and work flow management. – The student will be able to:	
22.01	Recognize best practices. 	
22.02	Explain the purpose of a needs assessment. 	
22.03	Assist in the identification and selection of information technologies to manage health data and systems in various healthcare settings, i.e. hospitals, clinics, physician practices.	
22.04	Identify technological and behavioral barriers associated with electronic health/medical record implementation initiatives.	
22.05	Explore the influence and scope of electronic health/medical record system practices on a global and international scale.	
23.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the application and integration of healthcare informatics concepts and skills through practical lab experiences – The student will be able to:	
23.01	Explore the role and responsibilities of the health informatics specialist as team leader and/or project manager.	
23.02	Apply knowledge and skills related to organization or electronic health/medical record operations, personnel, equipment and resources. 	
23.03	Explore real-world applications of healthcare informatics principles and practices.	
23.04	Demonstrate assimilation of knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level performance as a health informatics specialist.  	
23.05	Demonstrate an understanding of the definition and general principles of healthcare informatics project management.	
23.06	Demonstrate skills associated with planning, executing, and tracking a healthcare informatics project.	
23.07	Demonstrate abilities related to managing work teams, allocating project resources, and resolving problems associated with a healthcare informatics project. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

The cooperative method of instruction or clinical rotation is appropriate for this program.  Whenever these methods are offered, the following is required for each student:  a training plan, signed by the student, teacher, and employer, which includes instructional objectives and a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences; and a work station which reflects equipment, skills, and tasks which are relevant to the occupation which the student has chosen as a career goal.  The student may receive compensation for work performed. 

Faculty teaching this program must have a minimum of an AS degree in Healthcare Informatics, Nursing, Health Information Management.

Students should be encouraged to become members and participate in the activities of the professional organizations:  American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), and other discipline-specific professional informatics organizations.

Outcomes 01-12 are referred to as the Health Information Technology core and do not have to be completed if the students has previously completed the core in another program at any level.  The Core should be taken first or concurrently with the first course in the program.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the intercurricular career and technical student organization providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml