HEALTH
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Programs: AS-5480 & AAS-5480
The purpose of this program is to prepare
students for
employment in the Health Information Management (HIM)
field as
a Health Information Technician (HIT). Rapid growth
in the health
care industry and awakened awareness with the importance
of
accurate, quality health information has created an
increasing
demand for Health Information Technicians. A Health
Information
Technician is responsible for the collection, analyzation,
interpretation, classification, research, quality
and confidentiality
of health care records/data. The HIT professionals
possess the
knowledge and skills necessary for maintaining health
care
records/health information systems in correlation
with medical,
administrative, ethical, legal, accrediting and regulatory
agencies.
There is an array of entry level opportunities
for a HIT graduate.
Entry level opportunities vary depending on the graduate's
education, work experience and place of employment.
The HIT
professional can expect to find employment in all
areas within the
health care industry including; hospitals, long term
care facilities,
clinics, physician offices, behavioral healthcare
organizations,
insurance agencies, government agencies, and veterinary
clinics.
Positions often held by HIT graduates are; coder,
health record
technician, quality assurance coordinator, and supervisor.
Rapidly
advancing technology is making this an exciting and
dynamic
field. Job placement for graduates has been excellent
and
forecasts indicate that the demand for this profession
will
continue to grow.
ACCREDITATION STATUS
The Health Information Technology Program
is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Council
on Accreditation of the American Health Information
Management Association (AHIMA).
PROGRAM HOURS
Most courses will be offered Monday through
Friday; the HIT core
courses are offered primarily during the early evening
hours.
POTENTIAL SALARIES
Credentialed HIT practitioner's salaries are influenced
by the type
of setting, experience and difficulty of work with
salaries ranging
between $24,000 and $50,000.
REGISTERED EXAM
The HIT program includes general education
and technical
courses, which include lecture, laboratory and clinical
practicum
experiences. Upon successful completion of the program,
the
students will have an Associate in Science Degree
in Health
Information Management. Graduates are eligible to
take the
Accredited Registered Health Information Technician
examination, administered by the American Health Information
Management Association. Successful candidates will
become an
Accredited Registered Health Information Technician
(RHIT).
ADMISSION CRITERIA
Health Information Management Program
The following criteria are required prior to
admission to the
HIM
Program:
-
Acceptance to Polk Community
College as a credit student with all required
admission documents received by the Registrar.
-
At the time of application,
an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or
higher.
-
At the time of application
and admission, a GPA of 2.00 or higher in all
prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better
in each course.
-
Completion of any required
college prep courses.
-
COMPLETION OF THE FOLLOWING
PREREQUISITE COURSES BY THE AUGUST START DATE:
-
HSC 1531 Medical
Terminology
-
BSC 1084C Basic Anatomy &
Physiology
-
CGS 1061C Introduction to
Computers and Information Systems
-
Pre-admission consultation
with the HIM Program Manager
An Application Packet for the Health Information
Management (HIM) Program are available June 01 in
the HIM Department and must be submitted to the HIM
Program Manager by the application deadline of June
30 for the Fall class. Applications are only
available by contacting the Program Manager.
Coding Specialist Certificate Program
The
following criteria are required prior to admission
to the Coding Specialist Certificate Program:
-
Acceptance to Polk Community
College as a credit student with all required
admission documents received by the Registrar.
-
At the time of application,
an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or
higher.
-
At the time of application
and admission, a GPA of 2.00 or higher in all
prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better
in each course.
-
Completion of any required
college prep courses.
-
COMPLETION OF THE FOLLOWING
PREREQUISITE COURSES BY THE AUGUST START DATE:
-
HSC 1531 Medical
Terminology
-
BSC 1084C Basic Anatomy &
Physiology
-
CGS 1061C Introduction to
Computers and Information Systems
-
Pre-admission consultation with the HIM Program
Manager
An Application Packet for the Coding Specialist
Certificate Program are available June 01 in the HIM
Department and must be submitted to the HIM Program
Manager by the application deadline of June 30 for
the Fall class. Applications are only available by
contacting the Program Manager. |
