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 & 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 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) from a regionally-accredited institution, OR
- Transfer credit (MTH 100 level or higher with a grade of “C” or better) from a regionally-accredited institution.
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.
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) - 6 minimum
Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity (including Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 3 minimum
Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories; Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS); Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity, and/or Applied General Education (GAPL) courses - 12 minimum
| HCA 105 | Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HIT 110 | Pharmacology for Health Information Technology | 2 |
| HIT 205 | Data Management and Applications | 2 |
| HIT 238 | Healthcare Registries and Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Required Health Sciences 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 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
Credit Hour Requirements
| Total Required Associate of Applied Science General Education Credit Hours |
36 |
| Total Required Health Information Technology Program/Major Credit Hours |
32 |
| 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 114 | Foundations in Health Information Technology | 3 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 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 205 | Data Management and Applications | 2 |
| 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 | 3 |
| REL 290 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
Progression
For program progression refer to the Health Information Technology Program Handbook.