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Online Classes: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology

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Combine healthcare and data with a career in health information technology

Blend your high-tech skills and interests with your aspiration for a career in healthcare with Mercy College’s accredited Health Information Technology (HIT) program. One of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, HIT professionals are experts in patient health information and medical records. Generally appealing to those who enjoy analyzing and problem solving, HIT is perfect for the person who likes the excitement and flexibility of healthcare, but doesn’t necessarily want direct patient contact.

Common careers in the health information management field:

  • Medical Coder
  • Compliance Specialist/Auditor
  • Director/Manager of HIM Department
  • Data Analyst
  • Documentation Specialist
  • EHR Implementation Specialist
  • HIPAA Privacy Officer
  • Revenue Cycle Manager

Students may start in August. The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program courses begin in the fall semester (August) however students can be admitted and begin taking pre-requisite and general education courses toward their program of choice in the fall semester (August), spring semester (January), or summer semester (May).

Program Overview

The associate of applied science degree program in Health Information Technology (HIT) prepares graduates to serve the healthcare industry and the public by managing, analyzing and utilizing data vital for patient care. In health information management careers, you'll work to ensure the quality of health records and healthcare data by verifying their completeness, accuracy and proper entry into computer systems. Health Information Technologists use computer applications to analyze patient data to improve clinical documentation and the quality of patient care. Some areas of specialization include coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research, privacy roles due to HIPAA legislation and other clinical data management functions. Employment opportunities exist in any organization that uses health information, including hospitals, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities consulting and law firms, information system vendors, ambulatory care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home care providers, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, physician practices and insurance companies.

Cahiim Wide

Accreditation Statement: The Health Information Technology (HIT) program accreditor of Mercy College of Ohio is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Student Achievement/Outcomes

  • 2020 graduation rate 54%
  • 2020 employment rate 100%*
  • 2020 retention rate 83%
  • 2020 RHIT certification exam pass rate for first-time test takers 100%

*Results based on the number of respondents to graduate survey

Program Handbook

Overview

Health Information Technology (HIT) incorporates the disciplines of medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law. The Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Health Information Technology (HIT) prepares graduates to serve the healthcare industry and the public by managing, analyzing and utilizing data vital for patient care.

Health Information Technicians work to ensure that complete and accurate health records are accessible when and where they are needed while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and security.

The state of health information is electronic, patient-centered, and critical in providing quality outcomes to patients. Health Information Technicians use computer applications to analyze patient data for research, compliance, clinical coding and revenue management purposes.

Health Information Technicians play a key role as information liaisons between clinical, financial, and IT users within their organizations and outside as information “bridges” between providers and consumers.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Health Information Technology Program to provide an educational experience that includes the professional and technical skills necessary to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field of health information management.

Philosophy

In accordance with the College mission statement, the philosophy of the Health Information Technology program is to provide associate degree education based on the Christian values. It is a belief that the education of health information management technicians is responsive to national & community needs.

Changes in society influence the values and expectations placed upon healthcare professionals and institutions. The needs and influences of society impact the delivery of healthcare and the continued development of Health Information Technicians.

The program strives to set realistic and achievable goals and objectives for each student based on professional standards. The goal is to produce a competent practitioner who can function in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Education is a continuous process through which learners develop knowledge, skills and attitudes resulting in cognitive, affective and psychomotor changes. The faculty facilitates the teaching/learning process through the sequential presentation of concepts, theories and experiential activities within an environment that promotes mutual trust, critical thinking and self-development.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Apply diagnostic and procedural codes and groupings per current guidelines and evaluate for accuracy.
  2. Apply legal policies, regulations, principles and standards for the control, disclosure, retention, and destruction of protected health information.
  3. Analyze, compile, and report healthcare data for statistical, planning, research, and health information exchange purposes.
  4. Apply policies and procedures for the use of data required in healthcare reimbursement and the revenue cycle management processes.
  5. Apply policies, procedures, and processes as they relate to the collection, maintenance, appropriateness, integrity and presentation of health data.
  6. Demonstrate evidence of knowledge in the supporting content areas (pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and computer concepts and applications).
  7. Adhere to the compliance and regulatory requirements, standards, and guidelines related to health information management.
  8. Apply leadership, quality improvement, and management principles, tools, and techniques as it applies to health information management.

Admission Requirements for All Heath Information Technology Program Applicants

In addition to meeting college admission requirements, the following Health Information Technology Program admission requirements must be met:

  • Applicants must be high school graduates with a GPA of at least 2.3, GED recipients with a score of 530 (score of 53 prior to 2002), or transfer students with a cumulative GPA of a 2.3. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.3 but above a 2.0 will be considered on an individual basis.
  • Math placement test required with the following exceptions:
    • Meet or exceed ACT/SAT math score required for MTH 100 (within the past 5 years), OR
    • Successful completion of college-level math (grade of “C” or better) from a regionally-accredited institution, OR
    • Transfer credit (MTH 100 level or higher with a grade of “C” or better) from a regionally-accredited institution.

Requirements for Professional Practice Experience

Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://www.mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

To earn the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology students must complete all college requirements for an Associate of Applied Science Degree including:

General Education Requirements

 

Complete All of the Following Courses:

Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3

Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
MTH 100 Intermediate Algebra 3

Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity (including Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 3 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
REL 290 Medical Ethics 3

Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 105 Human Structure and Function 5
BIO 290 Pathophysiology 3

Additional hours from one or more of the above categories; Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS); Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity, and/or Applied General Education (GAPL) courses - 12 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HCA 105 Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals 3
HIT 105 Medical Terminology 3
HIT 110 Pharmacology for Health Information Technology 2
HIT 205 Data Management and Applications 2
HIT 238 Healthcare Registries and Statistics 3

Required Health Sciences Program Course Requirements

Complete All of the Following Program Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HIT 104 Introduction to Medical Coding Systems 1
HIT 114 Foundations in Health Information Technology 3
HIT 126 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems I 3
HIT 142 Legal Aspects in Health Information 3
HIT 150 Professional Practice Lab 1
HIT 216 Information Systems in Healthcare 3
HIT 220 Health Information in Ancillary Care Facilities 3
HIT 234 Clinical Coding/Classification Systems II 3
HIT 243 Clinical Quality Management 3
HIT 244 Healthcare Data in Reimbursement 3
HIT 248 Health Information Management and Leadership 3
HIT 250 Professional Practice Experience and HIT Seminar 3

Health Information Technology sample program of study

*Biology pre-req required.

**PPE is not online. However, students may have the opportunity to attend their Professional Practice Experience (PPE) locally or at one of the College’s established PPE sites. Contact the Program Director for more information on the PPE requirements.

Curriculum effective Fall 2021. For students enrolled prior to Fall 2021, please reference the Mercy College catalog.

At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Apply legal policies, regulations, principles and standards for the control and disclosure of protected health information.
  2. Review health records for timeliness, accuracy, appropriateness and completeness of healthcare documentation
  3. Perform processes related to collection, storage and retrieval of healthcare data/records.
  4. Code, abstract, classify and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval and statistical analysis.
  5. Apply principles of supervision and leadership and the tools used to effectively manage human, financial, and physical resources.
  6. Review, abstract, retrieve, and compile health data for reimbursement, quality assessment, patient care research, clinical registries and other informational needs.
  7. Collect, organize, and apply quality management and quality improvement tools and techniques for performance improvement.

Program Outcomes

  • Document .pdfHealth Information Technology


    Program outcomes data for Health Information Technology

    Download

Career Outlook

Employment Growth

The Bureau of Labor reports that "employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations." As more hospitals, physician offices, and other health care providers use electronic health records, the need for trained health information technologists is expected to increase.

Salary Range

The average health information management salary annual wage is $34,160 [bls.gov]

Admission Requirements

All applicants must be a high school graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.3, a general equivalency diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 530 (score of 53 prior to 2002), or a transfer student with a cumulative GPA of a 2.3. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.3 but above a 2.0 will be considered on an individual basis.

Math placement test required with the following exceptions:

  • Meet or exceed ACT/SAT math score required for MTH 100 (within the past 5 years), OR
  • Successful completion of college-level math (grade of “C” or better) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, OR
  • Transfer credit (MTH 100 level or higher with a grade of “C” or better) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Attend a Health Information Technology Program Online Information Session

part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College

Learn more or sign up for the next online session