The Anoka Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) is a 60-credit program that prepares students for a career working in health care and settings where health information is utilized. A student graduating with an HIT degree is well prepared to assume an entry-level position in this professional field.
Course Prerequisites
Some courses may require appropriate test score or completion of basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.
Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to work in a hospital/healthcare setting beginning as an entry-level supervisor.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to sit for a number of coding credentials, such as the CCA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-H.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to work in a hospital, clinic, public health facility, insurance company, or related facility.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to deal with confidential patient information and work in the area of release of information.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to transfer to a four-year degree program in Health Information Management.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to further their career path by continuing their education in Tumor Registry.
Background Study
Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state. An individual who is disqualified from having direct contact with patients as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in a clinical placement in a Minnesota licensed health care facility. Anoka Technical College will withdraw any student who is disqualified by the Minnesota Department of Health. The student is responsible for requesting the commissioner to reconsider the disqualification.
Certifications
The Health Information Technology degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Only graduates of a program accredited by CAHIM are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
Program Outcomes
Placement Rate: 83.4%
Graduate Satisfaction Rate: 100%
Employer Satisfaction Rate: 100%
(2015)
Full-Time Sequence
|
FIRST YEAR
|
| Fall Semester |
HITM 1221
|
Introduction to Health Information Management |
3
|
HITM 1130
|
ICD-10-CM Coding
|
3
|
HITM 1230
|
ICD-10-PCS Coding
|
3
|
HITM 1244
|
Law and Ethics
|
2
|
HLTH 1000
|
Disease Conditions
|
2 |
INTS 1000
|
Critical Thinking Applications for College
|
3 |
| TOTAL |
|
16
|
| |
Spring Semester
|
HITM 1110
|
Medical Terminology in Health Information
|
3 |
HITM 1240
|
CPT Coding
|
3 |
HITM 1200
|
Billing and Reimbursement
|
2
|
| HITM 1120 |
HIT Practicum I
|
3
|
HLTH 1005
|
Anatomy & Physiology
|
4 |
TOTAL
|
|
15
|
| |
| SECOND YEAR
|
Fall Semester
|
BIOL 1106
|
Introduction to Biology
|
4
|
Ged Ed/MnTC
|
See list below.
|
8 |
HITM 1260
|
Professional Practice for Coding Specialist
|
3
|
| TOTAL |
|
15 |
| |
Spring Semester
|
HITM 1210
|
Supervision of Health Information |
3
|
HITM 1325
|
Quality & Performance Improvement in Healthcare |
3
|
HITM 2245
|
Health Care Statistics and Data Registries
|
3
|
HITM 2240
|
Computerized Health Information |
3
|
HITM 2260
|
HIT Professional Practice Experience II
|
2
|
| TOTAL |
|
14
|
| |
General Education/MnTC Requirements
|
15
|
|
Fifteen (15) general education credits of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) are required. MnTC credits must be from three different goal areas. Student is required to take:
|
BIOL 1106
|
Principles of Biology
|
4
|
INTS 1000
|
Critical Thinking Applications for College
|
3
|
ENGL
|
Need at least three (3) credits from ENGL
|
3
|
Remaining five (5) general education/MnTC credits are to be taken from PSYC or SPCH
|
5
|
|
Graduation Requirements
All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology must earn a grade of “C” or higher in every course in the program.
Transfer Opportunities
To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:
Industry Information
The health information management (HIM) professional is an important connection between doctors, patients, insurance providers and other health care professionals within the field. By maintaining, collecting and analyzing health information, the HIM professional makes an important behind the scenes contribution to the delivery of quality care. Besides working with cutting-edge technology, HIM professionals are experts in the field of patient health information and health records.
Health information technicians ensure the quality of health information by:
- verifying health records completeness and accuracy and proper entry into computer systems.
- utilizing computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data.
- coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement and research.
- compiling and maintaining registry data.
- maintaining quality control of health records.
- assuring patient privacy and data security.
Wage/Outlook/Advancement
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, projects that employment for health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average.
Credentialed health information technicians (RHITs) can look forward to many expanding career opportunities due to increasing patient privacy/data security legislation and computerization of health information.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Faculty