Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science (Online)

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 and 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), OR
  • Transfer credit (MTH 100 level or higher with a grade of “C” or better).

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.

Progression

For program progression refer to the Health Information Technology Program Handbook.