HEALTH 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. Compilation of statistics, medical coding of information, abstracting medical records and legal aspects of health information 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 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 Health Informatics and Information Education (CAHIIM) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Graduates of the Health Information Technology program are eligible to write the National Qualifying Examination for certification as Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites
- Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
- Applicants should have high school biology and two units of mathematics. Computer and keyboarding skills are highly recommended.
- Applicants should have at least 80 percent high school average.
- Individuals who have not had biology in high school must take BI 149 prior to taking the anatomy and physiology courses. The Erie Community College math and English pretests must be passed or developmental courses successfully completed before matriculation into the health information technology program.
- Each student is responsible for providing transportation to off-campus community agencies utilized for the PPE activities. Students must maintain a "C" or better in all required Health Information Technology courses, Anatomy & Physiology I and II lecture and lab and Medical Terminology.
- Students must meet departmental and all college requirements for graduation.
- A physical examination and current immunization report is required prior to the start of clinical classes.
- Individuals must complete MT 006 and 007 or 013 or receive a placement test code of MTLV4 or higher prior to matriculation into the Health Information Technology curriculum.
- Individuals must complete keyboarding (OF 111 or OF101) or pass a proficiency examination for OF 111 prior to graduation from the Health Information Technology program.
Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5213
Curriculum Code: 1117
Total Degree Credits: 70.5
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division