Health Information Technology, A.A.S.
A.A.S. Degree—72 credit hours
Curriculum Code 1244
This program prepares students for a career that places them right where the expanding arena of health care meets the cutting edge of technology. Health information technicians ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy and proper entry into computer systems. They also may use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs. Health information technicians (RHITs) often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. RHITs may serve as cancer registrars, compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients. The Health Information Technology Program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program that integrates medical science, diagnosis and procedure coding systems, computer technology, and health care management.
Admission Requirements
See Admission to Health Science Programs in the Admission and Registration section. Applicants not selected for one starting class are individually responsible for reactivating and updating their application file for subsequent starting classes. Re-applicants must complete a new application form and submit it to the Admissions Office during the applicable time period.
Transfer Students—Placement is considered on an individual basis.
Certification
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to write the national certification exam given by the American Health Information Management Association. Successfully completing this exam allows the graduate to earn the credential RHIT (registered health information technician).
Program Requirements
- Responsible for transportation to and from clinical affiliates
- Responsible for submitting a completed history and physical form signed by a physician as well as a drug screen prior to their first clinical rotation
- Responsible for completing a criminal background check and drug screening prior to a clinical assignment being made.
- Provide proof of comprehensive health and accident insurance
- Responsible for all program fees
Graduation Requirements
- Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in each required career course (theory and clinical) as well as in the required math and biology courses
- Any career course over four years old must be repeated
- Students must complete the program within four years of receiving credit in MRT-111 (formal beginning of HIT program)
Program Calendar
Students are encouraged to complete the general education courses prior to program enrollment. The required medical terminology, biology and mathematics courses must be completed within five years of program admission. Exceptions may be granted on an individual basis upon approval of the program coordinator. Required career courses must be taken in sequence.
Required General Education Courses
16 credit hours minimum as follows:
(Note: May take
BIO-180 and
BIO-181 instead of
BIO-115)
Take
MTH-109 or higher:
A minimum level of competency in mathematics is required for graduation for all A.A.S. degrees. This minimum competency may be demonstrated in one of three ways:
- Placement into MTH-120 or higher; or
- Successful completion with a minimum grade of “C” in BUS-120, MTH-102, MTH-109, MTH-121, or MTH-133 or higher-level mathematics course for designated career programs; or
- An equivalent transfer course from another college with a minimum grade of “C”.
Required Career Courses
56 credit hours as follows:
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 Summer (11 credit hours)
Semester 2 Fall (15 credit hours)
Semester 3 Spring (13 credit hours)
Semester 4 Summer (7 credit hours)
Semester 5 Fall (13 credit hours)
| MRT-140 | Cancer Registry | 2 |
| MRT-141 | Coding Computer Applications | 2 |
| MRT-211 | Health Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| MRT-212 | Medical Reimbursement Systems | 3 |
| MRT-215 | HIT Professional Practice II | 3 |
Semester 6 Spring (13 credit hours)
| MRT-213 | Supervisory Techniques | 3 |
| MRT-216 | HIT Professional Practice III | 5 |
| MRT-218 | Quality Management | 2 |
| PSY-201 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |