2021-2022 Catalog

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:

BIO-115Anatomy and Physiology

5

COM-101Composition I

3

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

MTH-109Math for Allied Health

2

PSY-201Industrial/Organizational Psychology

3

(Note: May take BIO-180 and BIO-181 instead of BIO-115)

Take MTH-109 or higher.

Required Career Courses

56 credit hours as follows:

CIS-115Microsoft Office I

3

MRT-110Medical Terminology

3

MRT-111Health Information Management

3

MRT-114Health Care Computer Applications

3

MRT-115HIT Professional Practice I

4

MRT-119Insurance Reimbursement Procedures

2

MRT-125Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

3

MRT-131CPT/HCPCS Level II

4

MRT-132ICD-10-CM

4

MRT-133ICD-10-PCS

4

MRT-140Cancer Registry

2

MRT-141Coding Computer Applications

2

MRT-211Health Statistics and Data Analysis

3

MRT-212Medical Reimbursement Systems

3

MRT-213Supervisory Techniques

3

MRT-215HIT Professional Practice II

3

MRT-216HIT Professional Practice III

5

MRT-218Quality Management

2

Suggested Schedule

Semester 1 Summer (11 credit hours)

BIO-115Anatomy and Physiology

5

CIS-115Microsoft Office I

3

MRT-110Medical Terminology

3

(Note: May take BIO-180 and BIO-181 instead of BIO-115)

Semester 2 Fall (15 credit hours)

COM-101Composition I

3

MRT-111Health Information Management

3

MRT-125Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

3

MRT-131CPT/HCPCS Level II

4

MTH-109Math for Allied Health

2

(Note: Take MTH-109 or higher)

Semester 3 Spring (13 credit hours)

MRT-114Health Care Computer Applications

3

MRT-119Insurance Reimbursement Procedures

2

MRT-132ICD-10-CM

4

MRT-133ICD-10-PCS

4

Semester 4 Summer (7 credit hours)

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

MRT-115HIT Professional Practice I

4

Semester 5 Fall (13 credit hours)

MRT-140Cancer Registry

2

MRT-141Coding Computer Applications

2

MRT-211Health Statistics and Data Analysis

3

MRT-212Medical Reimbursement Systems

3

MRT-215HIT Professional Practice II

3

Semester 6 Spring (13 credit hours)

MRT-213Supervisory Techniques

3

MRT-216HIT Professional Practice III

5

MRT-218Quality Management

2

PSY-201Industrial/Organizational Psychology

3