EAST GREENWICH – Thomas F. Wylie, provost and senior vice president at New England Institute of Technology, announced the college in 2012 will offer a degree program in health-information-management technology (HIMT), known within the industry as electronic health records, with classes slated to begin Jan. 3.

The decision to offer an associate in science degree in HIMT came in response to the industry’s health care needs, Wylie said. By 2014, physician offices, hospitals and all other health care facilities in the state must be proficient in EHR standards as mandated by the federal government, he noted.

The new curriculum combines elements of health care, business and information technology. The program is a full-time, six-quarter program that may be completed in 18 months. Upon successful completion, graduates may sit for the Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist and the Certified Professional in Electronic Health Records national examinations. •