Health Information Technology

Degree(s):

• Health Information Technology, AAS

Certificate(s):

• Coding Certificate
• Medical Transcription Certificate

The Health Information Technology (HIT), tech prep associate of applied science degree is designed to prepare graduates for entry level employment as health information technicians. North Harris College is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Program accreditation allows graduates to apply for certification examination to become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT).

Registered health information technicians perform technical medical record functions vital to the operation of the organization, including analyzing, coding, and health record evaluation. Registered health information technicians process, maintain, complete and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research. Graduates may be employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, health maintenance organizations, and other health care facilities.

The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. Contact a counselor or faculty member at any of the colleges/ universities for specific information and to obtain the recommended sequencing of courses.

Admissions Criteria for AAS degree:

In order to be considered for admission to the HIT program, students must pass the college’s Student Success Initiative requirements and THEA test. Students must submit an application that can be found on the college’s website under the HIT department. Prospective students may download the form and mail or bring to the departmental office in WNSP-174i. Applications are due July 30 for Fall entry into the program. Students wishing to begin the program at any other time besides the Fall may take some of the support classes or prerequisites for the program such as ITSC 1401 Introduction to Computers or HITT 1305 Medical Terminology. Students who are exempt from the THEA test must take the ASSET or COMPASS test and receive college-level placement in reading, writing, and completion of MATH 0306 or higher.

Applicants seeking admission into the Health Information Technology AAS degree Program and Coding Certificate Program must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screen. Information on approved vendors will be provided by the Program Director. Applicants must bear the cost of the background check.

Admissions criteria for Coding Certificate:

Admission to the coding certificate requires completion of an application found on the North Harris College website. Applications are due July 30 for Fall entry. Admission requires the following:

1. college-level reading and writing readiness skill;
2. completion of ENGL 0305 & ENGL 0307 or higher;
3. completion of MATH 0306 or higher.

A certificate in medical coding prepares the technician to assign a code to a medical diagnosis or procedures. Medical coders consult classification manuals and rely on their knowledge of disease processes to assign codes. After completion of the certificate, graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification exam administered by AHIMA. The coding certificate program begins in the Fall semester. Students wishing to begin the certificate program at any other time besides the Fall may take some of the core classes or prerequisites for the program.

Admissions criteria for Medical Transcription Certificate:

This certificate is a multi-entry program for Fall or Spring. Students may also take classes in this certificate during the summer. An application is required and can be found on the Health Information Technology Program website at North Harris College. Admission requires the following:

1. college-level reading and writing readiness skills;
2. completion of ENGL 0305 & ENGL 0307 or higher;
3. completion of MATH 0306 or higher.

Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by physicians or other healthcare professionals and transcribe those recordings into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. These documents are then returned by the medical transcriptionists to the dictator for review/correction and signature. Medical transcriptionists must have a grasp of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. They also must be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. After completion of the certificate, graduates are eligible to sit for a voluntary certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Transcriptionists.

Employment of medical transcriptionists and medical coders is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth will be spurred by a growing and aging population who will receive proportionately greater numbers of health procedures that require documentation.

Students admitted to the program will be required to pay liability insurance during the semesters involving off-campus practicums or internships. At some facilities, students may be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screen, as well as to show proof of immunizations such as Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, tetanus, and MMR (mumps, measles, rubella). These costs are borne by the student.

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