Health Information Technology - Associate of Applied Science (Online)

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Overview

Program Handbook

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:

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

Admission Requirements

 

General College Admission Requirements

The following are Mercy College of Ohio admissions requirements.  Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a program. Admission requirements are subject to change. Students should contact the Office of Admissions or consult mercycollege.edu for the most up-to-date information.

One of the following are required for admission to Mercy College of Ohio:

• An earned diploma from an accredited high school or a home-schooled program in a college preparatory course of study with a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, OR
• A general equivalence diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 53 prior to 2002).
• Additional documentation may be required for College Credit Plus or Non-degree Seeking Students.

Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology Program Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting college admission requirements above, 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.
• Completion of the Math Placement Assessment program (ALEKS) 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 Clinicals or Professional Practice Experience

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

Degree Requirements

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) - 3 minimum

ENG 101

English Composition I

3

Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum

MTH 100

Intermediate Algebra

3

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

REL 290

Medical Ethics

3

Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation - 6 minimum

BIO 105	Human Structure and Function	5
BIO 290	Pathophysiology	3

Additional hours from one or more of the above categories; Oral and Written Communication (GCOM), Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS); Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity, and/or Applied General Education (GAPL) courses - 15 minimum

ENG 102	English Composition II	3
HCA 105	Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals	3
HIT 105	Medical Terminology	3
HIT 110	Pharmacology for Health Information Technology	2
HIT 206	Health Data Management and Analytics	3
HIT 238	Healthcare Registries and Statistics	3
Total Credit Hours:		34

Required Health Information Technology Program Course Requirements

Complete All of the Following Program Courses:

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	2
Total Credit Hours:		31

Credit Hour Requirements

Total Required Associate of Applied Science General Education Credit Hours	34
Total Required Health Information Technology Program/Major Credit Hours	31
Total Credit Hours for Graduation	65

Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 60 credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.

 

Sample Program of Study

Semester I

BIO 105	Human Structure and Function	5
ENG 101	English Composition I	3
HIT 104	Introduction to Medical Coding Systems	1
HIT 105	Medical Terminology	3
HIT 114	Foundations in Health Information Technology	3

Semester II

BIO 290	Pathophysiology	3
ENG 102	English Composition II	3
HCA 105	Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals	3
HIT 110	Pharmacology for Health Information Technology	2
HIT 126	Clinical Coding/Classification Systems I	3

Semester III

HIT 150	Professional Practice Lab	1
HIT 234	Clinical Coding/Classification Systems II	3
MTH 100	Intermediate Algebra	3

Semester IV

HIT 142	Legal Aspects in Health Information	3
HIT 206	Health Data Management and Analytics	3
HIT 216	Information Systems in Healthcare	3
HIT 220	Health Information in Ancillary Care Facilities	3
HIT 243	Clinical Quality Management	3

Semester V

HIT 238	Healthcare Registries and Statistics	3
HIT 244	Healthcare Data in Reimbursement	3
HIT 248	Health Information Management and Leadership	3
HIT 250	Professional Practice Experience and HIT Seminar	2
REL 290	Medical Ethics	3

Progression

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