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Health Information Technology

DEGREE LEVELS

AAS Associate Program
Division of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies | Health Information Management

Health Information Technology (HIT) is a combination of health care and information technology. The Health Information Technology Program prepares students in the methods of collecting, organizing, analyzing and protecting traditional and electronic medical information essential to providing quality patient care.  Health Information Technicians compile statistics for health information indices, disease registries, and research studies, review clinical documentation to assign codes to diseases and procedures, use storage and retrieval systems to manage the release of patient health information and retrieve health data. In addition, students will obtain the necessary technological skills required to perform the daily activities in the management of health information.

Potential Work Sites

With their training and knowledge of information management, the electronic health record (EHR) and healthcare delivery systems, health information management professionals are able to work in a variety of healthcare settings, which include:

  • Hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, home health agencies, and ambulatory care clinics, etc.
  • Insurance companies and HMOs
  • Research and government agencies
  • Accounting, legal and consulting firms

There are numerous job titles and career paths available in this field, which affords the health information management professional with many options and opportunities for growth.  For more information about careers in health information, please visit: www.ahima.org/careers

Resources

HIT Student Learning Outcomes


Professional Practice Experiences (Internships)

Students build competencies in two Professional Practice Experiences offered during their course of study. Through these practice internships, students will obtain “hands-on” experience in actual health care settings. These non-paid, internships are completed during regular business hours. Transportation to and from the practice site is the responsibility of the student.

Accreditation

cahiim-accredited-programThe Associate degree, Health Information Technology Program at Trocaire College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

CAHIIM
233 N. Michigan Avenue
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800


Certification

Graduates may apply to write the national certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon passing this exam, the individual earns the credential of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Students may also apply to write coding certification exams offered by AHIMA’s and the American Academy of Professional Coders.

 

PROGRAM STATISTICS

15%

Job Placement Rate

Total 2016-2017: 75%

Graduation Rate*

Total 2015-2016: 44%

 

*The percent of students who graduate from the degree program on time (two years for the HIT program).  Based on new students during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Retention Rate*

Total 2016-2017: 64%

Attrition Rate**

Total 2016-2017: 36%

 

*The percent of students who remain in the program after one year.  Based on new students during the 2016-2017 academic year.
**The percent of students who left the program within one year of starting it.  Based on new students from the 2016-2017 academic year.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

  1. High School diploma (minimum 80% average) or GED diploma with a minimum score of 2625
  2. High School or College Biology with a lab – minimum grade of “C” (75%)
  3. 2.0 semester average with minimum grades of “C” in laboratory sciences for current and transfer students

Minimum Degree Requirements:

  1. A total of at least 67 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0
  2. General Education Requirements:
    • Basic Communication (EN101)
    • Humanities (6 credits):  Literature Elective and PH205
    • Natural Science* (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L, BIO203)*
    • Quantitative Analysis (3 credits):  Math Elective*
    • Social Science (3 credits)  Social Science Elective
    • College Seminar (GS100) or College Success (GS102)*
  3. Program Requirements:*

HIT101, HIT 102, HIT103, HIT104, HIT200, HIT 201, HIT202, HIT204, HIT 205, HIT208, HIT209, HIT218, BU132, BU119

* A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) is required.

Curriculum Description

All Health Information Technology courses are offered in the evening, thus supporting the working professional in their quest to enhance their career options. Since Health Information Management departments are generally only open during regular business hours, students will be required to complete their Professional Practice experiences one or more days of the normal work week. Every effort is made to accommodate students’ work schedules so they will be able to complete the required hours. While intended to prepare individuals for immediate employment, this program is also appropriate for transfer to a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management.

  • BIO 130
    Anatomy and Physiology I
    3
  • BIO 130L
    Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
    1
  • GS 100
    College Seminar*
    1
    OR
    GS 102
    College Success*
    3
  • HIT 101
    Introduction to Health Information
    4
  • MB 119
    Medical Terminology
    3
  • BU 132
    Information Technology I
    3
  • EN 101
    English Composition
    3

Semester 1

18 /20

  • BIO 131
    Anatomy and Physiology II
    3
  • BIO 131L
    Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
    1
  • HIT102
    Outpatient Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems
    3
  • HIT 103
    Health Information Systems
    3
  • HIT 104
    Legal Aspects of Health Information
    3
  • MA 000
    Mathematics Elective
    3

Semester 2

16

  • BIO203
    Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
    3
  • HIT 200
    Professional Practice Experience (PPE) I
    2
  • HIT 202
    Health Statistics and Data Analytics
    3
  • HIT 204
    Inpatient Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems
    4
  • HIT218
    Healthcare Reimbursement
    3
  • LIT 000
    English Literature
    3

Semester 3

18

  • HIT201
    Management Principles for Health Professionals
    3
  • HIT205
    Topics in Health Information Management
    2
  • HIT 208
    Quality Assurance and Improvement
    2
  • HIT209
    Professional Practice Experience (PPE) II
    2
  • PH 205
    Ethics in Health Care
    3
  • SOC 000
    Social Science Elective
    3

Semester 4

15