Allied Health
Health Information Technology
Overview
Average Length of Program:
96 credits, 6 quarters
Completion Award:
A.A.S. degree
Health information has gone high tech! Using skills from science-based courses
like anatomy, physiology, disease process and computer applications, the
health information technologist (HIT) assists in the documentation of
patient care, and provides clinical information for research as a basis
for planning and continuity of care. Health information professionals work
in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, group practice clinics, mental
health facilities and health insurance agencies.
Career Preparation
"Most employers prefer to hire Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT), who must pass a written examination offered
by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To take the examination, a person must graduate from a
2-year associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information
Management Education (CAHIIM). Technicians trained in non-CAHIIM-accredited programs or trained on the job are not eligible
to take the examination. In 2007, there were about 245 CAHIIM accredited programs in Health Informatics and Information
Management Education." - Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2008)
The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and
Information Management Education (www.cahiim.org). Upon graduation
with a degree, the student is eligible to apply to write the national qualifying examination of the American Health
Information Management Association (www.ahima.org) for certification
as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Learn more about the Health Information profession at www.healthinformationcareers.com.
Program Goals
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:
- Abstract and process data from patient records using a variety of computer
programs.
- Collect, tabulate, compute and prepare statistical reports for use by the
medical staff, administration, governing board and authorized agencies.
- Code clinical data for research and other reporting purposes.
- Perform review of health information for patient care evaluation, quality
improvement, and utilization management.
- Apply legal principles, policies, regulations and standards for the control,
release and use for health information.
- Utilize computers to compile data, process information for prospective
payment systems and perform various other data analysis projects.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities for graduates of approved health information
technology programs are excellent. Changing standards and governmental
regulations cause the volume and complexity of the health record system to be
dynamic and challenging. Types of facilities utilizing health information technology professionals include those
providing inpatient care, ambulatory care, long-term care, psychiatric care,
cancer registry and medical insurance providers.
Potential Positions
Release of information technician, health information technician, coder,
assistant manager of health information services of large hospitals, manager of
health information services of small hospitals or skilled nursing facilities,
utilization manager, quality improvement coordinator, compliance officer, privacy officer,
health information analyst, clinical documentation specialist, auditor
Other Employment Opportunities Available
Mental health facilities, skilled nursing facilities, health maintenance
organizations, health insurance agencies, ambulatory care facilities, large
physician group practice facilities, consulting
Special Requirements
- Physical examination
- Appropriate scores in one of the following: ASSET, SAT or ACT
- Recommended courses prior to entry: MATH 96 and CHEM 161
Persons with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, accommodations for students with disabilities will be considered at the student's request. The student will be required
to register with the Disability Support Services office and provide documentation of disability. Once the student is qualified by
the DSS Manager as having a disability, requested accommodations will be considered. Accommodations for the classroom, laboratory,
or clinical setting will be considered according to reasonableness. Accommodations that compromise patient care, or that
fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, are not considered to be reasonable. A student denied accommodation may
request an individualized determination to assure that the denial is not a result of disability discrimination by contacting the
Manager of Disability Support Services and Testing at 533-7498. Procedures for appeal are outlined in the SCC Center for
Students with Disabilities Student Handbook. Other than accommodation issues, procedures for student grievances including
academic dismissal are outlined in the following SCC website:
www.scc.spokane.edu/?concerns.
For additional information, please contact Disability Support Services.
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 | Additional Information |
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| If you have general questions regarding the Health Information Technology program, its entry requirements, or the admissions process,
please contact the SCC Admissions Office via email
(AdmissionsInfo@scc.spokane.edu) or phone (509-533-8020 or
1-800-248-5644, ext. 8020), and one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members will assist you. |
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| If you have more specific questions regarding this program, please contact Melanie Endicott,
MBA/HCM, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, who is the program director/instructor, or
Sharon Meyer, RHIT, who is an instructor in the program. Their contact information is as follows: |
| Email: | MEndicott@scc.spokane.edu or
SMeyer@scc.spokane.edu |
| Phone: | (509) 533-7305 or 533-8852; 1-800-248-5644
ext. 7305 or 8852 |
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| You can also submit an online information request or get
our address to write for more information.
You may be eligible for free tuition!
Follow this link to learn more.
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