The Department of Allied Health offers an Associate of Science degree in Health Information Technology. It is a part -time program that is 8 semesters in length and year-round with admission on offered in the fall and spring. The program admits approximately 20 students in the fall and 12 in the spring. The classes are on-line with the exception of professional practice rotations which are obtained in hospitals and other health care related agencies. Some travel is required.
These rotations are scheduled according to the healthcare facilities’ policies and may necessitate participation during regular working hours. This degree must be completed within 4 years from the first enrollment date into the program.
Admission to the HIT Program is competitive and based on the following factors:
- Academic achievement
- Academic aptitude computer competency
- Leadership and professionalism
- Personal endorsement
- Written and oral communication
- Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 9 hours of college courses (non- zero level courses) prior to enrollment to the HIT program. The computer fundamentals course may fulfill this requirement if completed prior to enrollment in the HIT program. Please contact the program for more information.
Successful completion of BUS 1403 - Microcomputer Applications is required for the HIT program. This course must be taken within seven years of entry into the program. The applicant has the choice of: Completing a computer fundamentals course prior to enrollment in the HIT program or challenging/testing out of the BUS 1403 during the first semester of enrollment in the program.
In addition, two other courses are also needed to total 9 semester credits prior to applying to the HIM program.
Students accepted to the HIMT program are required to complete all HIMT courses with a C or better. Student earning a D or F will be dismissed from the program. Students may reapply to the program but are not guaranteed acceptance.
Salaries vary according to the job opportunities that the student applies for and accepts. Differing parts of the country pay according to the cost of living in that area. Other degrees and experience in the healthcare field are also factors which account for pay differences. For the latest salary survey (2016) by geographic region and by job title, see the HIM national association website at: http://www.ahima.org/downloads/2016_Salary_Snapshot_FINAL_2.pdf
In addition to satisfying the Institutional Learning Outcomes, program graduates are expected to successfully address the following program learning outcomes:
- Able to create and compile new information in both written and oral forms of communication.
- Able to breakdown information into parts and identify reasons to support generalizations which is the foundation of creative/critical thinking skills
- Demonstrates an understanding in ethical and social responsibility skills as well as cultural diversity
- Able to work with others as a leader, member, or follower in a teamwork capacity, using sound judgment based on criteria for this team project and be a contributing member
- Become a lifelong learner
- Demonstrate knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Interpretation and creation of information in health data management
- Apply HIM knowledge to basic methods when calculating descriptive, institutional, and health care vital statistics, as well as analyzing data for quality management, risk management, and utilization management.
- Understanding of health law, privacy, security, confidentiality, and release of information
- Utilize electronic systems for data collection and analysis at entry-level competency to assure the healthcare system can deliver excellence in care, enabling confidence of healthcare consumers, clinicians, researchers, and secondary users of health information.
- Whether in simulated circumstances, in clinicals or preceptorships, the student will demonstrate organizational management and supervision skills.
- Apply coding and billing skills as well as reimbursement methodologies
- Be able to analyze acquired problems and by using data governance principles reduce or totally eliminate the problem in the quality of health data and assure patient care/identity has not been compromised.
- Be able to demonstrate all HIM competencies as learned in didactic classes when participating in the clinicals and preceptorships.
Return to: