Program director
Pauline J. Calla
Clinical coordinator
Ryan Stephan
Recruitment coordinator
Pauline J. Calla
Advisory committee
Felicia Chao, Chair
Kristen Borth
Craig Jackson, ex officio
Raymound Mikaelian
Jennifer Miller
Eric Morales
Gilbert Rodriquez
Frieda Smith
Braden Tabisula
Jose Talavera
Brenda Taylor
Marvin Torres
Sally Urquiza
Invitees
Pauline J. Calla
Debra L. Hamada
Terri L. Rouse
Ryan Stephan
The Health Information & Informatics (HII) Professional: A Dynamic Role in Data-Driven, Patient-Centered Care
Health Information and Informatics (HII) professionals play a vital role at the intersection of healthcare, data science, and digital technology. They design, implement, and maintain advanced health information systems that support clinical care, organizational operations, consumer engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Stackable microcredentials are built into the curriculum, where students can earn specialized, industry-recognized skills along the way—enhancing their career potential with every step.
Today’s HII professionals are more than record keepers—they are strategic leaders in data analytics, cybersecurity, interoperability, and digital health innovation. Their work ensures that health data is accurate, secure, and accessible for diverse stakeholders including patients, providers, payers, and policymakers. By leveraging technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), artificial intelligence, and data visualization tools, they help improve care coordination, optimize outcomes, and enhance population health.
A career in HII is ideal for individuals who are passionate about healthcare transformation through disciplines such as data analytics, health informatics, business intelligence, computer science, law, and organizational leadership. This unique blend of competencies opens doors to a variety of high-impact roles in hospitals, government agencies, tech firms, research institutions, and consumer health startups—often accompanied by competitive salaries and career growth.
Key Responsibilities of HII Professionals
Data Governance & Analytics: Ensure data integrity, structure, and usability to support operational performance, clinical insights, and public health reporting.
Consumer Engagement: Enable patients to access, manage, and understand their health data through secure portals, digital tools, and personalized communication strategies.
Security & Privacy: Oversee compliance with HIPAA, data protection laws, and enterprise cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard patient data across systems and platforms.
System Development & Optimization: Lead the configuration and enhancement of EHR systems, health apps, decision-support tools, and reporting dashboards.
Organizational Leadership: Manage health information departments, mentor staff, guide policy development, oversee budgets, and participate in cross-functional leadership teams.
Strategic Innovation: Support long-term planning and digital transformation initiatives aligned with value-based care and healthcare equity.
HII professionals are essential contributors to modern healthcare’s digital backbone. They collaborate with clinicians, IT experts, executives, and public health leaders to ensure that the right information is available at the right time—for safer, smarter, and more patient-centered care.
The HII curriculum is offered in two pathways as follows:
The HII Program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree, begins with the Autumn Quarter. Freshman and sophomore years, which are taken at an accredited college or university, afford the fundamentals of a liberal arts education and provide background in science, humanities, social studies, and business. Concentration on health information administration subject matter begins at Loma Linda University in the junior year and continues through the senior year.
Students are advised to complete the curriculum in two years as scheduled. Those electing to study on a part-time basis must complete all coursework within a period specified by University policy.
HII provides job flexibility for the person seeking work in a variety of settings. Many are employed by hospitals and medical centers. However, the job market has rapidly expanded beyond hospitals. Many openings are available in home-health agencies, long-term care facilities, outpatient care, mental health facilities, private medical practices and clinics, insurance companies, health management organizations, commercial and industrial firms, government agencies, legal offices, software vendors (such as Epic, Cerner, 3M, Optum, etc.), and education.
Job positions include but are not limited to: HIM director, privacy officer, security officer, chief compliance officer, EHR implementation specialist, data application or system analyst, data integrity analyst, consultant, cancer registrar, medical office administrator, HIM revenue cycle auditor, revenue cycle manager, REC/HIE exchange director, meaningful use specialist, data quality manager, documentation and coding specialist, coding manager, vendor client services management, vendor sales, and product management positions.
By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:
Effective Communication
Information Technology Proficiency
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Medical Knowledge Integration
Healthcare Systems and Understanding
Ethical and Legal Compliance
Health Information Management and Governance
Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring
Operational and Financial Management
Professional and Leadership
We offer clinical experience that includes a variety of assignments and simulated exercises that will acquaint the student with managing information in various aspects of the health care environment. A minimum of 40-hour affiliation during Spring Quarter of the senior year. Arrangements for internships and affiliation sites are made through the program director and the clinical coordinator. Students are responsible for their own transportation, food, and lodging during this affiliation.
Upon completion of either the B.S. degree or the certificate, and upon recommendation of the faculty, graduates are eligible to take the qualifying examination of the American Health Information Management Association, 35 W Wacker Dr 16th floor, Chicago, IL 60601, for the designation of Registered Health Information Administrator.
Students and graduates are eligible for becoming members of the American Health Information Management Association and their respective Component State Associations. The purpose of these associations is to promote the art and science of health information management. They grant student memberships at a nominal cost to undergraduates in approved schools. Students are expected to become members of these associations, pay the nominal dues, read the journals, and become familiar with the professional activities.
Applicants who have comparable education or experience may be able to gain credit per University policy.
The Health Information Management Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601; telephone: 312/235-3255; website: www.cahiim.org.
In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:
To be eligible for admission to the B.S. degree curriculum in health information and informatics, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 90 quarter units at an accredited college or university. Admission and prerequisite requirements are listed below in general education domain order.
(completed during enrollment at LLU)
Units must be selected from at least three of the following content areas: civilization/history, art, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities electives. A minimum of 3 quarter units in an area are required to meet a "content area."
Medical termimology
As necessary, to meet the minimum total requirement of 90 transferable quarter units. These units added to the 78 undergraduate units required in the program (plus 12 upper division elective units) to fulfill the 180 total units required for the bachelor's degree.
For total unit requirements for graduation, see LLU General Education Requirements.
To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Health Information and Informatics — B.S., Certificate
HLIN 224. Health Information Science. 3 Units.
Overview of the critical role of health information in healthcare. Addresses data management, storage, analysis, regulatory compliance, health information systems, data governance, informatics, privacy, security, and the impact of emerging technologies on healthcare information management.
HLIN 320. Health Information Science for Alternative Care Settings. 4 Units.
Provides expanded concepts of information management in health care, including practical applications in information science, accrediting bodies, data management, documentation guidelines and requirements, and data integration standards. Includes practical applications of information governance in alternative health-care delivery systems.
Prerequisite: HLIN 220.
HLIN 335. Advanced Classification Systems and Coding Compliance. 4 Units.
Application of clinical classification systems and the guidelines for coding compliance. Managing physician query, severity of illness systems, and clinical documentation-improvement processes.
Prerequisite: HLIN 334.
HLIN 336. Clinical Classification Systems. 3 Units.
Comprehensive exploration of key principles and guidelines for accurate medical classification and billing. Covers coding diagnoses and procedures, applying conventions, and ensuring accuracy and compliance for reimbursement and data reporting.
HLIN 337. Clinical Documentation Improvement and Healthcare Data Management. 3 Units.
Explore Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) principles and their impact on healthcare quality, compliance, and reimbursement. Topics include medical classification systems, severity of illness, provider queries, data analytics, audits, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies.
HLIN 340. Seminar and Portfolio for Health Information Management. 3 Units.
Students develop a portfolio that illustrates their acquisition of the knowledge and skills that prepare them for entry into the profession, as well as reflects on the student learning outcomes set by Loma Linda University—including wholeness, Christ-centered values, commitment to discovery and lifelong learning, effective communication, embracing and serving a diverse world, and collaboration. Service learning requirements included.
HLIN 347. Advanced Information Privacy and Security. 4 Units.
Compares requirements affecting the privacy, security, control, and disclosure of health information. In-depth analysis of legislation governing privacy and introduction to the components of the HIPAA Security Rule.
Prerequisite: HCBL 346; or consent of instructor.
HLIN 348. Pathopharmacology for Health Information Management. 3 Units.
Covers disease processes in human body systems, as well as drug interventions used in treatment and prevention of disease.
HLIN 354. Professional Practice Experience. 3 Units.
Simulated professional practice experiences and assignments in health information management and technology, during the Spring Quarter of the junior year; includes use of software-as-a-service systems. Written and oral reports of experience.
HLIN 357. Cybersecurity in Health Care. 2 Units.
Foundational cybersecurity principles for safeguarding healthcare data and systems. Key topics include threat identification, risk assessment, network security, and regulatory compliance. Identify vulnerabilities, design secure systems, and respond to cybersecurity threats using theory, hands-on applications, and case studies.
HLIN 360. Health-Care Informatics and Database Management. 3 Units.
Database development, management, and querying relational databases with SQL. Introduces key computer science concepts including hardware, software, storage, and networks.
HLIN 430. Quality Management and Performance Improvement in Health Care. 3 Units.
Continuous quality improvement methodologies and processes applied to patient safety and satisfaction, internal and external regulatory requirements, risk management, evidence-based medicine, and utilization review to achieve optimum patient care.
HLIN 437. Data Analytics and Visualizations with Tableau and Excel. 4 Units.
Fundamentals of data analytics and visualization using Excel and Tableau. Collect, clean, analyze, and present data for decision making. Create dashboards, charts, and reports to communicate insights, transforming raw data into meaningful visual stories for healthcare through hands-on projects.
HLIN 439. Management in Health Care. 5 Units.
Principles of management and human resources, including: human resource acquisition, training, development, and evaluation; productivity; benchmarking; problem solving, and decision making.
HLIN 440. Leadership and Strategy Management in Health Care. 4 Units.
Leadership theory and principles, including: communication skills; negotiating and influencing; team building and management; workflow optimization; strategy and vision planning; diversity and cultural influences. Reflection and evaluation assessment of personal awareness, strengths, and weaknesses.
HLIN 446. Leadership and Strategy Management in Health Care. 3 Units.
Explores key leadership competencies for navigating healthcare, including strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and change management. Through case studies, discussions, reflection, and practical applications, develop leadership skills to lead effectively in diverse healthcare settings.
HLIN 447. Introduction to Python Programming. 2 Units.
Introduces Python for data science, software development, and automation. Students learn core concepts like variables, data structures, control flow, functions, and OOP. Emphasis is on problem-solving and writing efficient code through hands-on exercises and projects.
HLIN 449. Revenue Cycle Management for Health Care. 3 Units.
Comprehensive exploration of the complexities of U.S. healthcare reimbursement. Principles of revenue cycle management, various payment methodologies, and associated data requirements. Through scenarios and exercises, skills will be developed to navigate the different payment systems within healthcare.
HLIN 455. Professional Practice Experience. 1 Unit.
Supervised professional practice experience and experiential learning in health information and inforrmatics (virtual and in-person), at an approved health-care or health-related facility. Combines written and oral reports of experience with classroom discussion.
HLIN 456. Advanced Data Insights with Machine Learning. 3 Units.
Advanced data analytics using machine learning to extract insights from complex datasets. Apply supervised/unsupervised learning, feature engineering, and model evaluation using Python. Hands-on projects and case studies emphasize real-world applications. Basic data analytics and programming knowledge are recommended.
HLIN 460. RHIA Exam Prep Course. 1 Unit.
Designed to help students prepare for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. Topics include health information management principles, regulations, and best practices, along with test-taking strategies. Includes practice exams and mock assessments to simulate the real exam environment.
HLIN 474. System Design and Usability. 4 Units.
Fundamentals of data analytics and visualization using Excel and Tableau. Collect, clean, analyze, and present data for decision-making. Create dashboards, charts, and reports to communicate insights, transforming raw data into meaningful visual stories for healthcare through hands-on projects.
HLIN 483. Alternative Delivery Systems in Health Care. 4 Units.
Focuses on health information management in delivery systems such as: long-term care, hospital-based and free-standing ambulatory care, hospice, home health, dialysis centers, veterinary medicine, consulting, correctional facilities, mental health, substance abuse, dental, rehabilitation, managed care, and cancer registry. Health record content, format, and regulatory requirements; the role of the HIM professional; data collection; risk and utilization management; and quality improvement areas.
HLIN 484. Current Topics in Health Information Administration. 4 Units.
Focuses on career planning, management skills, and professional development. Health information management professionals working in various health-care settings share their knowledge and experience with students. Includes preparation exercises for the national credentialing examination.
HLIN 490. Health Information Management. 3 Units.
Exploration of fundamental management principles in healthcare, including leadership, strategic planning, group dynamics, and organizational culture. Topics include management functions, communication, collaboration, ergonomics, and workplace design to enhance well-being and productivity. Emphasis on practical application in real-world healthcare settings.
HLIN 494. Health Information Management II. 4 Units.
Advanced study of topics relevant to management and leadership in the HIM profession, including leadership theory and strategies; ergonomics/workplace design; individual and organizational productivity; innovation and change management; labor legislation; emotional intelligence; cultural and workforce diversity; ethical and social responsibility; disaster preparedness; entrepreneurism; tactical and strategic planning; contemporary leadership issues.
HLIN 499. Health Information Administration Independent Study. 1-4 Units.
Student submits a project or paper on a topic of current interest in an area of health information administration. Regular meetings to provide the student with guidance and evaluation. Elected on the basis of need or interest. May be repeated.
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