Programs handbooks

Health Information Management: Standards and procedures

Ethics and conduct

Professional Code of Ethics

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics serves six purposes:

  • Promotes high standards of HIM practice.
  • Summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values.
  • Establishes a set of ethical principles to be used to guide decision-making and actions.
  • Establishes a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
  • Provides ethical principles by which the general public can hold the HIM professional accountable.
  • Mentors practitioners new to the field to HIM’s mission, values, and ethical principles.

The code includes principles that are enforceable and aspirational. The extent to which each principle is enforceable is a matter of professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged violations of ethical principles.

Professional standards and conduct requirements

In accepting admission into the HIM program the student commits to the generally understood ethics of the healthcare field and specifically to the ethics of their chosen profession. Ethics will be addressed throughout the course of study.

An important component of professional conduct is student emails and messages to the instructors and peers. All messages must be stated clearly and professionally, regardless of personal frustrations a student may be experiencing. Resources are available through the college to help students handle those personal challenges.

An important aspect of professional ethics is the maintenance of the confidential status of data contained in patient health records. This applies to information obtained in classes or during professional practice site affiliations. Confidential information must not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals, including family and friends. While at a professional practice experience site, confidential information should only be discussed as it pertains to the work being performed. See Confidentiality and Privacy Policies, including FERPA and HIPAA.

This handbook and the Portland Community College Student Code of Conduct (see the College policies: conduct, professional standards, and ethics section) clearly define what is considered appropriate conduct for students within the program. Refer to the Due process section for information about program dismissal and appeals. See the grievance process regarding the process for submitting student concerns.

College policies

Students are required to read, understand, and follow college and program policies, standards, and ethical guidelines. In addition to reviewing the policies linked in this section, any additional requirements described in the section for one’s program of study should be reviewed and followed. Students assigned to clinical sites are required to learn and follow the policies, rules, and regulations required by the site. Students are encouraged to reach out to program faculty and staff with any questions or clarification needed.

Comprehensive links to college policies can be found on the following webpages:

The policies of particular relevance to students include:

Conduct, professional standards, and ethics

It is especially important for students to comply with the following policies regarding conduct, professional standards, and ethics.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA (Centers for Disease Control Public Health Law). Under this law, patients’ health information is protected. This includes individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium (electronic, oral, or paper).

What does this mean for Healthcare and Emergency Professions students?

In the course of their study, healthcare and emergency professions students will work in patient-focused settings, which could include providing patient care at the dental clinic, at off-site clinics, with ambulance services, and in hospitals, and/or could include responsibilities for managing patient data. Additionally, patient data and images, including radiographic images, will be part of the classroom and lab instruction. Often, students will act as patients during lab and practice sessions and confidentiality policies will apply. Students will have access to confidential patient data in these settings and are expected to:

  • protect patient and student confidentiality at all times,
  • comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA),
  • strictly follow all policies and procedures at the facilities in which off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are held,
  • uphold the professional ethics guidelines of their field of study, and
  • adhere to Portland Community College’s confidentiality policies, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Specific guidelines related to HIPAA and confidentiality include, but are not limited to:

  • Any information (including images, and written or verbal) related to patient care is strictly confidential and is:
    • not to be shared, copied, or discussed with anyone outside of the direct care of the patient, and
    • not to be removed from a healthcare facility or service unless written permission has been given by the clinical agency to remove such information. Information may be disclosed only as defined in HIPAA guidelines for educational purposes.
  • Radiographic images that are used for image critiques, case study, or lab sessions must have all patient and hospital identification removed. Students attending critique sessions away from their home sites may bring radiographic images only on approved devices that follow HIPAA requirements. No images taken with cell phones are allowed.
  • Photographs, recordings, and videos of patients must never be taken, whether a patient gives permission or not. If patient images are being considered for an educational purpose, the student must check with the instructor who will determine policies at the practicum site.
  • Absolutely no reference to a patient, even if de-identified, should ever be shared electronically via email outside of MyPCC email or on social networking sites such as Facebook. The instructor may direct students to share select de-identified patient information via MyPCC email or D2L for course preparation or learning purposes.
  • No facility or facility staff information should be shared via personal email, on social networking sites, or by other means outside the learning environment.
Required training
  • Read about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Students are required to complete a HIPAA training module through the college’s third-party vendor, CastleBranch.
  • Ongoing training and guidance will be provided as appropriate throughout the instructional courses.
  • Students participating in off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are required to attend their clinical site’s HIPAA training to become educated on the facility’s confidentiality policies and procedures.
Violations of HIPAA and confidentiality

Any action that violates patient or student confidentiality will have long-lasting consequences for the student’s career and a serious impact on their standing in the program. All actions will be addressed quickly and will prompt a review process in which program probation or dismissal is considered. See Due process for violations. The off-site clinical, internship, practicum, or co-op facility could impose further disciplinary actions, including immediate dismissal from the site.

Dress code

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish clear dress code and appearance standards to maintain a safe, professional, and inclusive environment at Portland Community College (PCC) in the Healthcare and Emergency Professions Pathway (HEP). These requirements ensure safety and infection control, as well as prepare students for clinical and professional settings. These guidelines are in accordance with applicable PCC policies. Students participating in clinicals, internships, practicums, co-ops, and other external educational settings may need to adhere to additional procedures and guidelines set by their assigned facility.

Dress code
  • Attire:
    • Clothing should be clean, neat, and appropriate for an academic setting.
    • Attire should not have offensive language, images, or messages in accordance with the college’s Nondiscrimination and Non-harassment Policy.
    • Footwear should be safe and suitable for the lab and clinical environment. Closed-toe shoes made of leather or a similar material that is resistant to needles and liquids are required.
    • Hats are not permitted in clinical settings (hair coverings worn for religious purposes are not an issue).
  • Uniform standards:
    • Certain programs may require uniforms or specific attire. These requirements must be followed.
    • Uniforms and shoes should be clean with no wrinkles or tears, properly fitted, and worn as intended.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Students in labs, workshops, and other hands-on environments must wear appropriate PPE as specified by their instructors.
    • PPE may include items such as safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and closed-toe shoes. There may be additional/different PPE requirements based on the nature of the program.
Appearance
  • Grooming standards:
    • Students are expected to practice good personal hygiene.
    • Hair, including facial hair, should be clean and well-maintained.
      • Hair should be secured to prevent it from getting caught in equipment or interfering with the task at hand.
      • Facial hair should be groomed to ensure a proper seal with an N-95 mask, if required.
    • Students should avoid strong fragrances that may cause discomfort or allergic reactions.
    • Nails: Federal and state laws specify that artificial nails should not be worn when having direct contact with patients. The maximum nail length is 1/4 inch and nails should not pose a risk of tearing gloves. Nail polish, if worn, should be tidy and unchipped for hygiene purposes.
    • Ensure hands are clean and washed before touching or performing clinical procedures.
  • Tattoos and piercings:
    • Visible tattoos that conflict with professional standards and college policies may need to be covered.
    • Piercings are allowed provided they do not interfere with tasks, such as patient care. In some settings, jewelry that could get caught on equipment and pose a safety risk is not allowed. Please refer to program-specific requirements for further details.
Accommodation and exceptions

In cases where assigned facilities for clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops have specific dress and personal appearance codes, those regulations and any applicable process for accommodations will be used by the facility. For circumstances when PCC is the decision maker, the college will provide reasonable accommodations or modifications that do not fundamentally alter any program standard or compromise safety, health, and hygiene standards.

All students are responsible for adhering to the appearance and dress code standards of the Healthcare and Emergency Professions pathway, program, and the clinical setting (if applicable). For safety reasons, students who do not comply with the dress code will be asked to leave the course session to correct their attire and return only after making the necessary changes. Attendance and tardiness rules will apply when such corrections are necessary. Students not in compliance with these standards could be subject to a disciplinary review process. See Due process for violations.

Attendance

Potential employers use attendance and promptness as two indicators of dependability and employability. Participating in classes and professional practice experience assignments is an important aspect of the training. Irregular attendance and lack of class participation is indicative of a problem which might carry over to the job situation. The highly integrated structure of the curriculum requires regular attendance for successful achievement in the program. HIM program students must check into their courses a minimum of three times a week. Instructors may deduct points for absenteeism as stated in individual syllabi.

Absenteeism can also adversely affect the student who is on a financial aid grant. The college is required to maintain class attendance records to verify a student’s attendance on a specific day or dates. Students who do not attend classes are not entitled to receive funds.

Communication

Personal and professional communication

Students in the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway are trained to become professionals in their chosen careers. In these roles, they will have the privilege of interacting with a diverse group of people. During the course of their professional education, students will strengthen their personal communication skills to improve effectiveness with people. Communication involves interactions between students, patients, faculty, staff, and guests located on campus or at off-campus learning sites (agencies, clinical facilities, or other settings). Respect for individual differences in opinions, beliefs, gender, lifestyle practices, religious, racial, cultural, or social backgrounds should be demonstrated by using effective listening and communication skills, as well as showing respect for physical space and privacy issues.

Communication methods and standards
  • Email: The primary mode for program and instructor communication will be via students’ PCC email address. See PCC’s Communication Policy.
  • D2L Brightspace: Communications specific to each course will be delivered via announcements and postings in D2L Brightspace learning platform.
  • Office hours: Full-time instructors are available for selected in-person and virtual office hours each week. Appointments are made through the individual instructor.
  • Chain of communication:
    • Course syllabus and D2L Brightspace: Refer to the course syllabus and D2L Brightspace for questions and concerns related to course requirements.
    • Course instructor: Refer questions and concerns directly to the assigned faculty instructor. Students who have difficulties with individual faculty should first aim to resolve the issues directly with that faculty. For clinical experiences, reach out to the assigned clinical instructor and clinical coordinator, if applicable.
    • If the preceding steps have been followed without questions or concerns being adequately addressed, the student may next contact the faculty department chair (FDC).
    • Individual questions, concerns, and comments about the program overall can be discussed with the program dean, as escalated by FDC.
    • There are opportunities for students to provide feedback about courses throughout the year through course evaluations. Some programs invite student representation on committees.
Use of electronic devices

Use of cellular phones or other electronic devices that may interfere with learning activities are prohibited during classroom, laboratory, and clinical laboratory practice activities and examinations, unless features such as amplification, magnification, or transcription tools are used as learning aids. Students should limit use of such devices to breaks and turn them off (or silence them) upon return. Use of cell phones for recording or taking images in the clinical setting is prohibited as it can be a HIPAA violation (see the HIPAA section). Permission from fellow students, faculty, and staff is required prior to any pictures taken on campus.

Social media

Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines in order to maintain the professional and ethical standards of the program and the clinical affiliates:

  • Do not post anything that would violate FERPA (student privacy) and HIPAA (see the HIPAA section) (patient privacy) regulations. Activities that occur during clinical rotations or that involve patients are not to be shared.
  • Photos which contain any animal not owned by the student or activities surrounding the use of these animals in classes or labs shall not be posted to social media accounts unless as related to adoption, or when given express permission by the owner of the animal.
  • Be mindful of the language used when discussing the affiliate, program, fellow students, faculty, or staff, and avoid any comments that could be perceived as derogatory or harmful. Instead, address concerns by following the Grievance process.
  • Do not ask to connect with instructors on social networks in order to maintain an appropriate professional relationship. Upon graduation, instructors and students may connect if all parties agree.
  • Use good judgment before posting personal pictures. Be aware that information you post online may be available to anyone, and could be misconstrued.
  • See related college policies and guidelines:

Nothing in this social media section is intended to restrict any expressive activity that is legally protected.

Program-specific guidelines

As HIM is a predominantly online program, students are expected to follow the special rules of personal conduct that apply to all online communications. 

  • In general, email and discussion board messages should be short and to the point while fully addressing the requirements listed.
  • Make sure to have a meaningful subject line for emails and message board contributions so others will know what to expect.
  • Be polite and respectful. It can be tempting to let yourself go in an environment that feels anonymous but remember that there are real people reading your messages. Good online manners are vital to a productive and supportive online learning environment.
  • Be tolerant of views expressed by others. Your PCC online classroom may well be bringing you together with people from all over the world. Keep in mind that you probably have something to gain from exposure to views and backgrounds different than your own.
  • When reacting to someone else’s message, address the ideas, not the person. Again, remember that there are real people on the other end.
  • Be careful when using sarcasm and humor, and don’t include any obscenities in your messages. Without face-to-face communications, people may take your humor personally, and you never know who may be offended by expressions that are commonplace to you.
  • Don’t send commercial advertisements or “chain mail” to classmates.

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Fieldwork