Health Information Technology A.A.S. Degree [A45360]

Program Information

The Health Information Technology curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to process, analyze, abstract, compile, maintain, manage, and report health information.

Students will supervise departmental functions; classify, code, and index diagnoses and procedures; coordinate information for cost control, quality management, statistics, marketing, and planning; monitor governmental and non-governmental standards; facilitate research; and design system controls to monitor patient information security.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to write the national certification examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, health insurance organizations, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, hospice, and mental health facilities.

Health Information Technology is an Associate Degree and Diploma program offered in conjunction with Pitt Community College who awards the degree. Students may take courses (ENG 111, ENG 112, HUM 115, PHI 240, MAT 152, PSY 150, ACA 111, BIO 163, BIO 168, BIO 169, MED 121, and MED 122) at Mitchell Community College. All HIT technical courses, excluding professional practice (HIT 124 and HIT 224-clinical courses), are offered online through Pitt Community College. (Students must apply for and be formally admitted to the HIT program to take any HIT courses.)

Program of Study

General Education Required Courses

ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
ENG 112	Writing and Research in the Disciplines	3
HUM 115	Critical Thinking	3
	Or
PHI 240	Introduction to Ethics	3
MAT 152	Statistical Methods I	4
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Major Required Courses

ACA 111	College Student Success	1
BIO 163	Basic Anatomy & Physiology	5
	Or
BIO 168	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO 169	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
CIS 110	Introduction to Computers	3
CTS 130	Spreadsheet	3
HIT 110	Intro to Healthcare & HIM	3
HIT 112	Health Law and Ethics	3
HIT 114	Health Data Sys/Standards	3
HIT 211	Diagnosis Coding & Reporting	4
HIT 213	Inpt Proc Coding & Reporting	2
HIT 214	OP Procedure Coding/Reporting	2
HIT 215	Revenue Cycle Management	2
HIT 217	Quality & Data Analysis	2
HIT 218	Mgmt Principles in HIT	3
HIT 220	Electronic Health Records	2
HIT 225	Healthcare Informatics	4
HIT 226	Pathophysiology & Pharmacology	3
HIT 280	HIM Capstone	2
HSC 110	Orientation to Health Careers	1
MED 121	Medical Terminology I	3
MED 122	Medical Terminology II	3
OST 248	Diagnostic Coding	3

Professional Practice Experience

HIT 124	Prof Practice Exp II	1
HIT 224	Prof Practice Exp IV	2
Total Credit Hours:		61

Total Credit Hours: 74

Program Learning Outcomes

• HIT Students will demonstrate professional behaviors and entry-level HIM competencies consistent with employer expectations.
• Students will apply diagnosis and procedure codes according to current guidelines.
• Students will apply privacy and security strategies to health information.
• Students will be able to select, implement, use, and manage technology solutions related to health information.
• Students will utilize technologies for health information management.
• Students will apply healthcare reimbursement guidelines.
• Students will demonstrate compliance with external forces.
• Graduates will pass the RHIT certification exam.

Technical Requirements

Technical requirements are those considered to be necessary or fundamental to the performance of a job. In post-secondary education, the student’s job is to learn and participate in an academic environment and the clinical environment as well. The student, with or without reasonable accommodation, must possess these essential functions.

• Must be able to use computer programs following written instructions, (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, flow-charting software, plus health information programs (e.g., electronic health records, encoders, tracking systems, etc.) Jobs may include up to eight hours per day of computer work.

• Must be able to protect the confidentiality/security of health and facility/practitioner business information. Must be able to comply with laws, regulations and standards. Must show honesty/ethics including not cheating and not plagiarizing on assignments.

• Requires psychomotor coordination of hands/eyes in using automated equipment, etc. Must be able to keyboard 40-45 words per minute, sort, assemble and file records from floor to ceiling level, and carry 25 pounds at waist height a distance of 50 feet. Must be able to read names/numbers on charts and voluminous paper or computerized medical records/reports/databases. Must be able to distinguish colors in color coded systems, interpret code books and reference materials, and prepare office layouts, design forms and computer screens. Must be able to operate equipment such as computer, calculator, scanner, movable files, etc.

• Must be able to exert up to twenty-five pounds of force and/or lift/move objects up to twenty-five pounds. Physical demands exceed that of sedentary work, (e.g. walking, sitting, standing, stooping, reaching, etc.) for extended time. Typical job is eight hours with a meal break and two short rest breaks during the shift.

• Requires ability to communicate orally and in written form (or comparable communication skills) and use proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Must use critical thinking, exhibit sound judgment, show emotional stability/maturity, show physical/mental stamina, and receive/share information/instructions from instructors, patients, physicians, and others in didactic and/or clinical setting

• Must complete tasks accurately and timely. Must be able to apply principles of logical/scientific thinking, deal with nonverbal symbolism, and comprehend concepts Must be adaptable, able to make decisions related to class/lab/clinical assignments and have the ability to build/maintain constructive cooperative working relationships with others and develop goals/priorities to organize/accomplish work.

• Must demonstrate professionalism, work alone or in teams, demonstrate integrity and sincerity, and show caring/sensitivity especially in areas of patient care. Must demonstrate neatness and good hygiene. Requires positive attitude when receiving constructive criticism. Must be willing to alter plans or change approaches in the learning/work environment, maintain composure and continue to function during stress. Must show respect to others. Must show dependability in attendance.

• Must be able to utilize mathematical formulas, determine percentages/decimals; determine time; use metric systems, use/display descriptive statistics, calculate hospital statistics, productivity information, quality improvement studies, budgets, equipment and supply needs/costs, medical bills, etc. Must be able to apply algebraic formulas when preparing computerized spreadsheets.

• Requires the ability to travel to and from any or all of the following: home of the student, College campus, Professional Practice Experience facilities, public locations for the purposes of various meetings and other assigned locations off campus.