Electronic Health Records (Certificate Program)

The online Electronic Health Records certificate program is perfect for students looking to dive into a technology-based position in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. As an electronic health records (EHR) specialist, you’ll be responsible for organizing and managing patient health data to ensure it’s accurate, accessible and secure. Specific job tasks may include1:

  • Audit patient records for compliance
  • Abstract clinical information for reports
  • Perform basic coding to submit reimbursement claims
  • Process Release of Information (ROI) requests for medical records
  • Review patient records to ensure completion and accuracy
  • Collect patient demographic and insurance information
  • Discuss patient information with physicians and insurance professionals

Even though they serve in an administrative role, EHR specialists are crucial to the well-being and success of patients. By improving the accuracy of patient records, these professionals assist medical practitioners in providing timely and effective care.

As the healthcare industry continues to shift toward electronic record-keeping and information software, the demand for electronic health records specialists who can navigate these complex systems continues to rise. In fact, employment in the medical records and health information field is expected to grow 11% by 20282.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The Electronic Health Records Certificate program focuses on the practical skills and training needed to maintain electronic health records. Students will become versed in the electronic medical record software used in medical offices and hospitals across the country. The program also covers other important operational healthcare concepts, such as medical coding systems, insurance procedures, regulatory compliance issues and financial reporting. The curriculum will prepare students to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) Certification Exam, which is included in the cost of the program. For more information about the CEHRS exam, visit the NHA website.

HOW LONG IS THE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS PROGRAM?

At 18 credit hours, the Electronic Health Records Certificate program is designed to be completed in 8 months.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The undergraduate rate is $295 per credit hour, or $250 if you’re a military member, a veteran, a certified or licensed patient care worker, first responder, or their spouse or child. Grantham also offers scholarships and financial aid for those who qualify.

WHEN CAN I START?

Courses begin monthly, so we’re ready when you are.

Call us at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our accredited certificate and degree programs, financial assistance opportunities or enrollment process.

Electronic Health Records (Certificate Program)

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Illustrate the role and function of different types of healthcare applications related to electronic medical records (EMR) software
  • Utilize medical coding terms and abbreviations in common use in healthcare
  • Articulate understanding of local, state and federal regulations, including OSHA standards and HIPAA’s rules for protected health information and ethical practices
  • Apply diagnosis coding skills for generating statistical reposts and clinical quality improvement measures
  • Complete the CEHRS Certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Core Professional Competencies

University of Arkansas Grantham prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of professional and civic settings by incorporating these critical life skills into the curriculum:

  • Communication – Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing and in a digital world.
  • Distributed Collaboration – Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy and respect.
  • Professional and Social Responsibilities – Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions and an awareness of and adherence to regulations, professional standards and industry best practices.
  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem or a variety of issues. This includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision.
  • Data Aptitude – Developing information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating and interpreting in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.

Additional Advantages

Students in the Electronic Health Records Certificate program have the added benefits of:

  • Creation of an ePortfolio to assist in job searches
  • Personalized instruction with career professionals
  • Assistance with resumes, job searches and practice interviews
  • Student advisors, academic mentors and program directors
  • State-of-the-art simulation technology
  • Face-to-face meetings, if needed, with faculty
  • A Health Care Highway Community portal
  • No extra fees: All classroom technology is included in the Resource Fee

Electronic Health Records (Certificate Program)

University of Arkansas Grantham’s professionally relevant coursework is designed to help you prepare for your next challenges.

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
Program Core Credits: 18
Total Credit Hours: 18
Accreditation(s): DEAC
Program Core: 18
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: HP205 Title: Computer Software Applications in Healthcare Credits: 3
  This course provides an overview of commonly available software tools used in healthcare, including an introduction to encoding tools and computer-assisted coding software used in healthcare data processing. Focus is placed specifically on healthcare software and its many uses, functions and applications in the medical office. Other processes such as medical office billing and information technology are also discussed.
Course: HP114 Title: Medical Terminology Credits: 3
  This course teaches the foundation of the language of healthcare. Students will learn how to pronounce medical terms and communicate medical information to both health professionals and patients. Students will also learn the principles of word-building needed for the extensive medical vocabulary used in healthcare. Students will utilize interactive technology to assist with learning, pronunciation and application in Anatomy and Physiology.
Course: HP112E Title: Intro to Health Information Management Credits: 3
  Students are introduced to health information management in healthcare delivery settings in the U.S., including filing systems, storage, circulation and documentation issues. Topics also explored are the electronic health record (EHR), patient confidentiality, the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) on medical practices and various career opportunities for health information management professionals. Students apply health information management concepts and skills to course exercises to demonstrate functional knowledge. This course will assist the student in preparing for the NHA Certified Health Record Specialist exam.
Course: HP212E Title: Basic Diagnosis Coding Systems Credits: 3
  This course examines medical billing and coding in medical practice. All basic medical billing and coding issues are discussed, including coding diagnosis, the International Classification of Diseases Manual (ICD-10-CM), coding compliance and legal and ethical compliance. Students extrapolate coding information from the ICD-10-CM manual and examine usage guidelines for Volumes I,II, and III. This course will assist the student in preparing for the NHA Certified Health Record Specialist exam.
Course: HP218E Title: Electronic Health Records Credits: 3
  This course provides the framework for students to perform various chart related functions within the electronic health record (EHR). Students will learn the basic components, functions, and terminology essential to EHR systems. Students will learn how to complete tasks such as conduction audits, entering live data, and maintaining chart integrity. Students will utilize EHR software to perform work tasks in a healthcare office setting. This course will assist the student in preparing for the NHA Certified Health Record Specialist exam.
Course: HP230E Title: Electronic Health Records Specialist Credits: 3
  This Capstone course continues to prepare students for the role of Electronic Health Record Specialist. By completing this course, students validate their ability to perform tasks associated with the EHR in a physician's office or clinic, and complete the Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Students will complete simulated activities, including preparatory exams, designed to evaluate their knowledge of necessary EHRs responsibilities. The Capstone culminates in the identification of a testing site, exam registration, and completion. Students will also finalize their e-Portfolio as a showcase of their achievement of the Electronic Health Record Specialist Certificate program and CEHRS certification.

All courses must be taken in the order listed above. Students will be withdrawn from any current course once a failure/withdrawal of a past course becomes known. If the course is failed, a second attempt requires an appeal. No other course may be taken until an approved appeal for a second attempt is granted, the course is repeated, and passed. Two fails for a course will result in removal from the program. There are NO third attempt appeals allowed.