Getting RHIA Certified and Advancing in Healthcare: Rachel’s Experience with UIC’s Online MSHIM Degree

Healthcare is evolving fast, and behind the scenes, professionals in health information management are making sure systems run smoothly, securely, and in ways that improve patient care. UIC’s Online Master of Science in Health Information Management (MSHIM) program is built for those who want to lead in this critical space. With an asynchronous format and curriculum designed to support RHIA certification prep, it’s flexible enough for working professionals and can be completed in just 20 months.

One of those professionals is Rachel Goldstein, a MSHIM graduate who works as an Organizational Quality Coordinator at the University of Illinois Hospital. She began her career as a mental health counselor after earning her undergraduate degree in psychology. As her work led her into healthcare quality and accreditation, she saw how essential health information is to delivering effective care. In this interview, Rachel reveals how the MSHIM program gave her the tools to advance her career and make a meaningful impact behind the scenes in healthcare.

Why Health Information Management Matters, and What Inspired You to Pursue It?

In my current role, I saw firsthand how clinical documentation and coding directly impact publicly reported quality metrics. I also came to understand how the design of health information systems can shape clinical workflows and influence patient care. These experiences helped me realize just how essential health information is and ultimately led me to pursue a health information management degree.

Health information management plays a vital role in today’s healthcare industry because it intersects with many operations and clinical practice areas. As healthcare becomes more data-driven, it’s critical to understand system design, data governance, privacy and security standards, and reimbursement models. All of these elements are key to helping healthcare organizations deliver high-quality, efficient care.

How UIC’s Online MSHIM Program Prepares You for the RHIA Exam

I felt very prepared for the RHIA exam. UIC offers an optional RHIA review class which made a big difference in my ability to pass. It included a prep book and numerous practice tests, each aligned with the five AHIMA domains, which helped me identify the areas I needed to focus on the most.

The coursework across the program built the foundation I needed. For example, HIM 557: Healthcare Revenue Cycle and Compliance was especially helpful for some exam questions. The more clinical classes, like KN 230: Anatomy and Physiology Lecture I, also played a significant role. You need to know the terminology to understand clinical documentation and coding.

Another course that stood out was HIM 454: Legal Aspects, Risk Management, and Security of Health Information. While I’d taken HIPAA training before through my job, those sessions were often broad. The MSHIM program went much deeper into healthcare law and compliance and helped me understand how privacy and security play out in real-world healthcare settings.

Since earning my certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator, I’ve taken on more projects involving clinical documentation integrity, coding, and data governance, in addition to my work in quality improvement in healthcare. The credentials and the skills I gained throughout the MSHIM program gave me the credibility and confidence to grow professionally and take on new responsibilities in my organization.

Top Skills Gained from the Online MSHIM Program

The MSHIM program helped me understand clinical language and medical terminology, which has been essential in my current role reviewing medical records. I also gained a strong foundation in data governance and its role in maintaining accurate, reliable data across healthcare systems.

For example, I’ve worked on projects that involve publicly reported quality metrics, which can directly influence hospital revenue and reputation. One key part of this work is reviewing patient charts to ensure the clinical documentation accurately supports the ICD-10 codes tied to metrics like post-operative sepsis or respiratory failure, known as Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs). Understanding whether a case meets the criteria or qualifies for an exclusion is essential. The MSHIM program taught me to interpret this documentation correctly and recognize how coding decisions affect larger organizational outcomes.

Which Courses in the MSHIM Program Were Most Valuable to You?

KN 230: Anatomy and Physiology Lecture I was a beneficial course. I’ve always found the subject fascinating, but more importantly, learning how the human body functions in health and disease is essential when reviewing nursing and physician documentation in the medical health record.

For example, hospitals are scored on whether patients diagnosed with sepsis received the appropriate treatment protocols. If you don’t have a clinical background or if your background isn’t in acute care, it can be challenging to understand what the physician is documenting and whether it meets the metric requirements. These courses helped me learn how to interpret that documentation accurately. It’s like learning to read a different language and understanding it is crucial to my work.

How the MSHIM Program Equips You for an Evolving Healthcare Landscape

Reimbursement methodologies are becoming more complex and increasingly influenced by clinical documentation and coding. At the same time, healthcare privacy and security have become significant concerns for patients and healthcare organizations. Strong data governance structures are essential. They help ensure data integrity, directly affecting quality metrics, reimbursement, and care coordination.

The MSHIM program addressed all of these critical areas. It provided the foundational knowledge and context I needed to understand how these trends are shaping the future of healthcare and how to navigate them in my current role.

What Are the Benefits of UIC’s Asynchronous Online MSHIM Program?

As an adult student, the asynchronous format made balancing work, school, and family life much easier. I didn’t have to commute, which saved a lot of time, and I could study during my lunch breaks or in the evenings. Compared to a traditional, in-person master’s program I had done before, this one was much more manageable time-wise.

Group discussions were constructive for staying engaged with classmates, and I always had the option to reach out to professors by email. While you’re not tied to in-person meetings, they are available for that one-on-one connection. The flexibility really made the difference for me.

What Advice Do You Have for Prospective Students Considering the Online MSHIM Program?

I would tell them not to worry too much about the RHIA exam. UIC’s Online MSHIM program prepares you well for it. The curriculum includes a prep course, and the entire program gives you the foundational knowledge needed to succeed.

I’d also encourage students to draw on their own work experience when completing assignments. I did that in group discussions and my capstone project, incorporating examples related to healthcare quality metrics, clinical documentation and coding, and data integrity.