Health Information Technology

Program Description

The purpose of the Health Information Technology Program is to prepare individuals for employment as health information technicians. Graduates of this program will be prepared for positions in the health information/medical record departments of health care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, physician offices, insurance companies and a variety of other health care institutions. Graduates will be prepared in organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating health data/information according to established standards. Compilation of statistics, medical coding of information, abstracting health information data and legal aspects of health information will be covered.

The academic content will include a core of liberal arts chosen from the areas of anatomy and physiology, social sciences, humanities, computer science, and English. The remainder of the curriculum is designed to build technical and computer skills necessary for the Health Information Technician. Computer laboratories and web based activities will also be used for medical coding, statistical analysis, clinical database management, maintenance and retrieval of patient health data and the emerging electronic health record (EHR). During the course of study, students will participate in a professional practice experience which will provide training and experience in a health care setting.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or HSE (High School Equivalency).
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 Survey of Anatomy BI 147 prior to taking the Anatomy and Physiology I & II BI 150/151 BI 152/153.
Anatomy courses (BI 15, 151, 152,and 153) taken at ECC or another college must have been taken within the last five years of starting the HIT program.
The SUNY Erie English pretests must be passed, college English transferred from another college or developmental courses successfully completed before matriculation into the Health Information Technology Program.
Individuals must complete MT 006 or pass the college placement test prior to matriculation into the Health Information Technology curriculum.
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 I & II. A C- is not a passing grade for these courses. A second failure in a repeated course (a grade below a "C" in any MR, BI or MA required courses) or a second withdrawal (W) from these courses will result in dismissal from the Health Information Technology program.
A physical examination and current immunization report is required prior to the start of the PPE.
Students must meet all departmental and college requirements for graduation.
Individuals must complete keyboarding (OF 101, OF 102 or OF 112) or pass a proficiency examination to meet the requirement.
Students are required to complete Computer Literacy (CS 101) or transfer it in from another accredited college or university.
Medical Terminology II (MA 125) is a program prerequisite, which must be taken before the start of the spring semester second year.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology, the graduate will be able to:

apply existing policies for organizing, planning, collecting, processing, controlling, and evaluating health information services;
evaluate health records to determine if they meet institution needs;
maintain automated incomplete record control systems and systems for retrieval of all other health information;
apply, and follow existing policies for retrieval and retention of health information;
develop, apply and evaluate policies and procedures for health information, services and functions;
apply and follow existing policies for the control, use and release of health information;
follow procedures to maintain confidentiality and security of health information including computerized information;
follow existing procedures for abstracting and reporting health information as required by legal, accrediting, licensing, and certifying regulations;
apply coding rules to diagnoses and procedures;
sequence diagnoses and procedures to ethically and accurately optimize reimbursement;
organize and display data for research projects, special studies, and educational programs; and
follow procedures to maintain security of computerized information; and conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner by adhering to the AHIMA Code of Ethics.

Accreditations

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Education (CAHIIM). Graduates of the Health Information Technology program are eligible to write the National Qualifying Examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Certifications/Licensure

SUNY Erie Community College Health Information Technology meets the educational requirements by the Board of Regents in New York State to award an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) with a major in Health Information Technology. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national Licensure examination (RHIT) through the American Health Information Management Association.

Department Notes

Cost of books, supplies, background checks, toxicology tests, transportation to professional practice sites, meals, parking, other costs related to Professional Practice Experience (PPE) and the physical examination/immunizations prior to the PPE are the responsibility of the HIT student.

Program Outcomes

The following HIT program outcome measures are for academic year 2016-2017:

National Certification Exam Pass Rate - 83%
Graduate Satisfaction Rate - 100%
Employer Satisfaction Rate - 100%

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 63.0

First Year, Fall Semester
MR 101 - Introduction to Health Information Credit Hours: 3
MR 102 - Lab for MR 101 Credit Hours: 1
BI 150 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 3
BI 151 - Laboratory for BI 150 Credit Hours: 1
EN 110 - College Composition Credit Hours: 3
MA 115 - Medical Terminology I Credit Hours: 3

First Year, Spring Semester
MR 103 - Health Record Law Credit Hours: 3
MR 105 - Introduction to Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems Credit Hours: 3
MR 106 - Lab for MR 105 Credit Hours: 1
MR 250 - Health Concepts Credit Hours: 3
BI 152 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 3
BI 153 - Laboratory for BI 152 Credit Hours: 1
EN 111 - Composition and Interpretation of Literature Credit Hours: 3

First Year, Summer Session
MR 252 - Professional Practice Experience I Credit Hours: 3

Second Year, Fall Semester
MR 107 - Health Information Assessment and Reporting Principles Credit Hours: 3
MR 203 - Advanced Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems Credit Hours: 3
MR 204 - Lab for MR 203 Credit Hours: 1
MR 209 - Computer Systems in Health Care Credit Hours: 2
MR 210 - Lab for Computerized Systems in Health Care Credit Hours: 1
Humanities Elective Credit Hours: 3
Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 3

Second Year, Spring Semester
MR 205 - Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems Credit Hours: 3
MR 206 - Lab for MR 205 Credit Hours: 1
MR 208 - Health Care Reimbursement Credit Hours: 3
MR 211 - Topics in Health Information Management Credit Hours: 2
MR 212 - Coding Seminar Credit Hours: 3
MR 253 - Professional Practice Experience II Credit Hours: 1

Note: This is a recommended sequence. Students should consult the Health Information Technology Department Head prior to registering for courses.

Available At:

North Campus

Recommended H.S. Courses and/or Experiences:

Computer skills
Math II

Pre-Admission Recommendations:

HS Average of 80%
Biology
Math II
Keyboarding

Career Opportunities/Further Education:

Hospitals
Long-term Care Facilities
Mental Health Facilities
Rehab Facilities
Ambulatory Health Care Centers
HMO's Other Health Care Facilities
Third-party Payers and Other Health Data Organizations

Hegis Code:

5213

Curriculum Code:

1969.HIT

Division:

Health Sciences

Health Information Technology

Need Help?