Health Information Technology

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE

Allied Health Division

The Health Information Technology program, offered through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM), is a two-year program designed to provide students with entry-level skills and competencies. Students are admitted from four community colleges; participants take general education courses on their campuses and HIT courses in a central class. The Health Information Technician possesses both administrative and technical skills necessary to maintain components of health record systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. The individual plays an important role in ensuring the health care facility receives maximum reimbursement for treatment rendered. Since reimbursement is based on the diagnoses listed in the medical record, this is accomplished by analyzing and coding the medical record accurately. Health Information Technicians traditionally have been employed in hospitals. However, with changing health care needs, professionals have chosen careers in physicians' group practices, managed care groups, home health care, hospices, long-term care and ambulatory surgery. Additionally, careers in health information management go beyond health care facilities. Professionals work in insurance companies, Peer Review Organizations, accounting firms, consulting companies, law firms, computer equipment companies, prisons and contracted services agencies. The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association and American Medical Association. Upon completion, the graduate will be eligible to apply to sit for the national certification exam administered each October. Successful completion confers the title of Registered Health Information Technician. (Retention requires students to earn a grade or "C" or better in HIT courses. Grades of "D," "E" or "F" are considered failing. If a student fails any of the above courses, the course must be repeated with a passing grade - "A," "B" or "C." HIT courses are only offered once a year, so the student will have to wait to take courses until the prerequisite course has been completed with a passing grade. All courses must be taken in sequence as specified, unless permission granted by program director.) Students entering the Health Information Technology program must demonstrate typing proficiency. Students not passing hte proficiency exam will be required to successfulling complete OFTC 1201 Document Formatting I. A background check is required.

Total Hours: 67