Health Information Technology/Medical Records

Description
The individual holding an associate degree in health information technology is the technical expert in health data collection, analysis, monitoring, maintenance, and reporting activities in accordance with established data quality principles, legal and regulatory standards, and professional best practice guidelines. These functions encompass, among other areas, processing and using health data for coding, billing, compliance, and surveillance purposes. In an e-health environment, this individual performs these functions through the use of various electronic systems.

Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) are employed in managerial or technical capacities in health information departments of hospitals, health clinics, long term care facilities, and other health care facilities. Opportunities are available in quality improvement programs, hospital associations, industries, governmental agencies, health information systems, insurance companies, financial auditing firms, and consulting.

Admission and continuation in the HIT program is conditional upon completion of the following requirements:

A. A grade of C or better in High School Biology.
B. All college placement test recommendations must be completed prior to full admission to the program.
C. Completion of medical requirements, clearance of existing health problem(s), and ability to meet essential functions (physical and mental demands) of the program.
D. A grade of C or better is required in all BIO and HIM courses, as well as MTH 150 and CRC 120 in order to meet degree requirements.
1. A grade of C or better is required, first time, in HIM 100 and HIM 103 for continued matriculation in the program.
2. A student who fails to achieve a grade of C or better in BIO, other HIM courses, as well as MTH 150 and CRC 120, will be given the opportunity to repeat the course once. This option may be elected for a maximum of two courses. No HIM course may be taken more than twice.
3. Successful completion of each Professional Practice internship is required in order to remain in the program.
Readmission to the program is not automatic. Students seeking readmission to the program should contact the Program Director for Health Information Technology for information. Readmission, if approved, is always on a space available basis.
The program of study must be completed within five years of matriculation.
The student is responsible for arranging transportation to and from the College and local professional practice sites when required.

Program Learning Outcomes
1) Manage healthcare data appropriately in accordance with its intended use.
2) Apply sound principles of confidentiality and security to health information as prescribed by law.
3) Utilize strategies in health information technologies to enable decision making by healthcare professionals.
4) Apply healthcare reimbursement principles in accordance with established requirements in a healthcare environment.
5) Assist healthcare professionals in maintaining documented compliance with health information regulations and standards.
6) Demonstrate leadership skills at strategic, tactical or operational levels.
7) Identify and discuss key medical terms and associated concepts underpinning the health information technology profession.
8) Apply critical thinking skills within the context of the health information profession.
9) Practice behaviors consistent with strong personal branding standards.

DEACTIVATED- NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2021

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
A grade of "C" or better in High School Biology. Program applicants should be proficient using personal computers, internet browsers, and word processing programs. Admission to this program is September only.

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER: 18 Credit Hours
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition	3
BIO 134 Human Anatomy and Physiology I	3
HIM 100 Introduction to Health Information	3
HIM 103 Health Care Documentation	3
HIM 104 Medical Terminology	3
MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics or higher*	3
Total	18
SECOND SEMESTER: 16 Credit Hours
BIO 135 Human Anatomy and Physiology II	3
HIM 110 ICD-10 Diagnostic and Procedural Classifications	4
HIM 111 CPT Procedural Coding System	2
HIM 115 Medical Office Pharmacology	1
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE	3
CRC 120 Introduction to Medical Information Processing	3
Total	16
THIRD SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours
BIO 235 Pathophysiology	3
HIM 204 Health Records in Alternate Care	3
HIM 205 Professional Practice Experience I**	4
HIM 208 Total Quality Management, Legal and Compliance Issues for the Health Information Management Practitioner	5
Total	15
FOURTH SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours
HIM 206 Professional Practice Experience II**	4
HIM 209 Management, Supervision & Personal Development in Health Care	2
HIM 211 Health Care Reimbursement	3
HIM 213 Health Information Systems	3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE ***	3
Total	15
TOTAL CREDITS	64

*For transfer, MTH 160 is recommended.
** Enrollment in HIM 205 and HIM 206 is conditional upon satisfactory completion of the medical requirements and clearance from any existing health problem(s).
*** SPC recommended.