Majors at ECC: Allied Health Division

imageHEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Program Description

The purpose of this program is to prepare individuals for employment as health information technicians. Graduates of this program will be prepared for positions in the medical record departments of health care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, physician offices, insurance companies, and a variety of health care institutions. Graduates will be prepared in organizing, analyzing, and technically evaluating medical records according to established standards. Also, compilation of statistics, coding of information, filing and abstracting medical records and medicolegal aspects of health information of medical data will be taught.

The academic content will include a core of liberal arts chosen from the areas of anatomy and physiology, social sciences, mathematics, and English. The remainder of the curriculum is designed to build technical, computer, and supervisory skills necessary for the health information technician. Computer laboratories will also be used for word processing, medical coding, statistical analysis, clinical data base management and maintenance and retrieval of patient data. During the course of study, students will participate in two professional practice experiences which will provide training and experience in actual health care settings.

Accreditation

The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Associations (AHIMA) Council on Accreditation (COA).

Graduates of the Health Information Technology program are eligible to write the National Qualifying Examination for certification as Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Department Notes

Cost of books, supplies, identification badges, transportation to clinical sites, other costs related to clinical field experience, and the physical examination prior to clinicals, are the responsibility of the HIT student.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5213
Curriculum Code: 1117
Total Degree Credits: 70.5
Campus Location: North
Allied Health Division