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The title, Health Information Technology, may not be one with which you are familiar, but people employed in this field are a vital component of every medical setting. You can find Health Information Technicians in every hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, health insurance organization, physician's office, hospice and mental health facility. 
 
Health Information Technicians are the individuals who compile the data for medical-related agencies. More importantly, they determine specifically how that data is compiled and reported to insurance companies, government agencies and others. These individuals have the technical skills needed to maintain the components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system. 
 
A career in Health Information Technology is right for you if you:

• Wish to work in health care, but not directly with patients.
• Have an inclination toward science, but also like computers, management and law. 
• Like to work with professionals: physicians, nurses, lawyers, administrators. 
• Desire a career with a diverse variety of career opportunities. 
• Seek a field with an excellent outlook for future opportunities.

This program was developed at the request of health-care providers in the Iowa and Illinois area.

Health Information Technicians collect, compile, analyze and maintain patient specific health data for reimbursement, research and quality patient care in accordance with the regulatory and legal requirements of the health care delivery system.

The Health Information Technology (HIT) program at SCC is designed to be a two-tier program. A Diploma in Health Information Technology may be obtained by satisfactory completion of the first 39 credits in the HIT program schedule. The diploma track is designed to give the student the necessary skills to obtain an entry-level position in either medical office patient registration or physician’s office medical transcription while completing the rest of the degree.

An Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology (A.A.S) requires satisfactory completion of all 70 credits in the two-year program schedule.

Classroom instruction is enhanced by two clinical experiences (Practicum I & II) at local hospitals and clinics. Full-time students in the program  can expect to spend at least 20 hours per week in class during Semesters I, II and IV and at least 10 in class plus 16 at clinic sites per week during Semesters III and V. Another 10-20 hours of studying per week is also a necessary time allotment.

A career in Health Information Technology combines the technical areas of medical information management (coding for reimbursement and medical transcription) with computer technology, confidentiality laws and management skills.

The Health Information Technology program faculty are here to assist you in your career goals.

Program Director:  Barbara Foster, RHIA, CTR 
Adjunct Faculty:     Nan Boden, CCS

Printable Fact Sheet  (.pdf requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free download)