Overview
About the Program
Two-year (5 semesters) full-time degree schedule; mixture of core health information technology courses, medical, communications, and information technology; required professional practice experience provides professional development in the modern workplace; program can be completed on a part-time basis. Upon successful completion of the AHIMA external certification examination, the graduate is awarded the credential of a registered health information technician (RHIT). AHIMA, 233 N. Michigan Ave. 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800, 312-233-1100
Health informatics is defined “as the science of evaluating, implementing, and utilizing technology to manage all information related to the patient care delivery process: clinical, financial, technological, and enterprise. The field draws contributions from computer science, health information management, the clinical sciences, social and organizational influences, and business practices- University of Illinois-Chicago.” Students who complete designated coursework within Health Information Technology (HIT) associates of applied science degree are prepared to take the RHIT certification exam upon completion of this track and work in Health Information Management (HIM). Health Information Management is the body of knowledge and practice that ensures the availability of health information to facilitate real-time healthcare delivery and critical health-related decision making for multiple purposes across diverse organizations, settings, and disciplines. Health Information Technology is a blend between business, science, and information technologies.
Learning Outcomes
- Select hardware and software and use software applications and technology in the completion of Health Information Management processes.
- Participate in the planning, design, selection, implementation, integration, testing, evaluation, and support for EHRs including the installation, usage and maintenance of the EHRs.
- Apply knowledge of database architecture and design (such as data dictionary) to meet departmental needs.
- Use appropriate electronic or imaging technology for data/record storage.
- Query and generate reports to facilitate information retrieval using appropriate software.
- Assess workflows, work with vendors, install and test systems, diagnose IT problems, and train staff on systems
- Review health records and verify completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of data and data sources according to requirements and standards.
- Code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval and statistical analysis.
- Collect, compute, analyze, interpret, and present statistical data related to healthcare services, including quality management, utilization management, risk management, medical research, disease registries, and clinical indices.
- Apply legal principles, policies, regulations and standards for the control, use, and dissemination of healthcare information.
- Apply principles of supervision and leadership and the tools used to effectively manage human, financial, and physical resources.
- Recognize and problem-solve situations within the healthcare environment.
- Apply policies and procedures to the use of networks, including intranet and Internet applications to facilitate the electronic health record (EHR), personal health record (PHR), public health, and other administrative applications.
Occupational Certification Opportunities
- A+ Certification (submitted CAHIMS and CHTS to OBR on 5/30/14)
Application Requirements – Limited Enrollment
- MTC Application for Admission and nonrefundable application fee.
- American College Test (ACT) scores with a minimum composite score of 18, or successful completion of college-level required program courses with a minimum accumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
- Successful completion of the ACT or Basic Skills Assessment (Next Gen Accuplacer) in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable).
- A minimum 2.5 accumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school or college-level courses (whichever is most recent).
- Completed Health Information Technology application.
- If required, College Foundation courses are available to help you meet any specialized program admission requirements.
- A complete listing of all requirements and policies/procedures for the program is available in the Health Information Technology Handbook.
Career Opportunities
- Informatics Nurse Specialists
- Information Security Analysts
- Database Administrators
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Information Technology Project Managers
Curriculum
The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
Online Program- Except CIT1351 and MGT2510
CIT1351, IT Essentials/A+ and MGT2510 Project Management — These two courses are not offered online and are offered on-campus only.
CIT1351, IT Essentials/A+ Students are presented with the information required to sit for their COMPTia A+ certification exams. This course introduces the student to the main concepts behind computer hardware and software. Customer service and computer troubleshooting and repair are the primary focus of this course. 3 Credit Hours. Prerequisite: OIS1200 or successful completion of the Technology Skills Test (TST).
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
| HIT2301 | HIT Statistical Analysis | 2 |
| HIT2400 | HIT Quality Assessment | 2 |
| HIT2500 | Health Infor Mgt & Data Governance | 3 |
| HIT2900 | HIT Professional Practice II | 2 |
| PSY1100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 64