Health Information Technology

Scott Community College
 
Program Description
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 complied 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. Recent surveys indicate a need for people in this area with above entry-level wages. 

Program Mission 
Scott Community College, as a community-centered institution, strives to meet the needs for post-secondary education in the region. The Health Information Technology program's mission is to provide a comprehensive education of structured and meaningful learning experiences through lecture and graduated clinical competency-based education. The program will adequately prepare students for entry-level positions in Health Information Technology focusing on the development, use, and maintenance of health records for medical care, reimbursement, quality assurance, professional education, public health safety, administrative practices and medical research with due consideration to the patient's right to privacy. 

Employment Opportunities 
Health Information Analyst - Assembles and analyzes patient care data for completeness and accuracy in the inpatient, outpatient and other health care delivery sites.
 
Release of Information Technician - Responds to requests for patient specific health information from attorneys, insurance companies, patients, and physicians following facility, state, and federal regulations.
 
Coding/Abstracting Technician - Collects data in a manual or computerized Health Information System. Codes and classifies patient diagnoses and procedures in hospital admissions or physician's office encounters for reimbursement and other data-reporting needs.
 
Cancer Registrar - Maintains detailed data on cancer patients for hospital cancer programs and reports new cancer case incidence statistics to state and national agencies.
 
Quality Improvement Technician - Abstracts patient records for the assessment of quality of care. Prepares statistical reports for medical staff committees.
 
Utilization Review Coordinator - Reviews patient records to assess the appropriateness of level of care and medical necessity of treatments and procedures in accordance with established standards.
 
Health Information Department Manager/Clinic Coordinator - Coordinates the health information management functions in a small, acute care hospital or a non-acute care physician's office setting.
 
Consultant - Provides consultation to long-term care nursing homes and home health care agencies in documentation and reimbursement issues. 
 
Software Sales - Provides marketing and training services to the healthcare industry in a variety of specific health information documentation software applications. 

Areas Of Study 
Health Information Technology is an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program.

Classes in the program include
Medical Terminology
Health Records
Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Transcription
Pharmacology
Principles of Disease
Coding and Classification
Legal Management of Records
Managed Care Concepts
Computers in Health Care
Allied Health Statistics
Human Relations/Quality Assurance 

Admission Requirements 
A candidate for admission to the Health Information Technology Program must:
 
1. Meet the following academic requirements:
      a. HS graduate or GED of 50% or better.
      b. Must have successfully completed a HS chemistry and biology class within
           the last 5 years or must take CH:105 and BI:125 prior to taking BI:181.
 
2. Submit the college admission application in person or by mail.
 
3. Send all HS and college transcripts to:
      Admissions Department
      Scott Community College
      500 Belmont Road
      Bettendorf, Iowa  52722
 
4. If you need to take the college Assessment test, make an appointment with the testing center. You may be exempt from taking this test, see your college advisor for exemption guidelines.
 
5. Make an appointment with Barbara Foster, RHIA, CTR, Program Director, Health Information Technology, (563) 441-4157 for academic advisement. 

Estimated Program Costs 
Tuition: For entire program approximately:
      $5250  (in state)
      $7875  (out of state)
 
Physical exam: $75-100
(TB test and immunizations up to date)
 
Books: approximately $700 for entire program
 
Transportation: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from all practicum sites. 

Accreditation 
Scott Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
 
The HIM Associate's Level program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). 

For More Information 
      Barbara Foster
      Scott Community College HIT Program
      500 Belmont Road
      Bettendorf, IA  52722-6804
      Phone:  (563) 441-4157  or  toll-free 1-888-336-3907
      E-mail:  bfoster@eicc.edu

Printable (pdf) Fact Sheet
    
Printable (MS Word) Program Guide/Extended Information

Printable (pdf) Brochure