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HINF 3005 is a required course for students enrolled in the
post-baccalaureate program. The course must be completed during
the third (Summer) semester of the student's enrollment.
Students should begin the process of identifying a suitable
facility by no later than February during the second (Spring)
semester of their enrollment.
A list (not exhaustive) of possible practice sites is provided
here.
A suitable site is defined as a site that can provide the
student with (a) the experiences necessary for completion of HINF
3005 course assignments and (b) supervision by an RHIA-credentialed
staff. It is not mandatory that the experience be completed at
an inpatient acute care facility; other types of facilities are
acceptable such as long term care, hospice, or rehabilitation.
The facility must have applicable accreditation status, such as
accreditation by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of
Health Care Organizations (JCAHO). For the HINF 3005 course, the
Department of Health Informatics does not require a contract
between the facility and the Department; however the student
must be aware that some health care facilities may require a
contract. For this reason, it is crucial for the student to
begin the search for a suitable facility immediately as the
arrangement of a contract can be a lengthy process and will
necessitate the involvement of faculty and staff at MCG.
Students will need to contact the Director of Health
Information Services (medical record department) and explain
their purpose in making the contact. It may be necessary to make
an appointment with the Director to discuss the requirements of
the course. Students should provide the Director with a copy of
the course
syllabus,
calendar,
outline
and
assignments. These
documents contain the details of
the course requirements and should be reviewed by the student
thoroughly before contacting a Director to request the
opportunity to be supervised by the Director. Students will need
to obtain this
confirmation letter
verifying the Director's agreement to supervise the
student in completing course requirements; this letter must
accompany a practice site schedule.
At least 8 weeks prior to engaging in course activities,
the student must complete and submit to the MCG course
instructor a
Student Request for Practicum
Site Approval form. Accompanying this form, students must
also submit the confirmation letter from the site director and
the practice site schedule provided by the site director. Upon
receiving these documents, the MCG course instructor will notify
the student of the status of their request. Students must not
begin to engage in activities at the site prior to receiving MCG
course instructor approval.
Student-Directed:
Students will complete practicum orientation and virtual systems lab assignments during the first two weeks of the semester and will take a mock comprehensive RHIA exam during week 12 of summer semester.
Practicum Site:
Beginning during the third week of the summer semester, students must complete at least a minimum of 40 hours of practical experience at their practicum site based on a schedule agreed upon by both student and the site director. However, more than 40 hours may be necessary in order to complete the required objectives and assignments of the course. Students must complete the practical experience at their practicum site and submit all required assignment documentation by the end of week 10 of the summer semester. |
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Sherry P. Smith, MSA, RHIA, CPHIMS
Course Instructor
(706) 721-3436
spsmith@mcg.edu
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