Health Information Technology

Allied Health

Health Information Technology

Associate of Applied Science • 67 Credit Hours

Health information technicians are the professionals responsible for maintaining components of health information systems in a manner consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.

Providing specialized skills in Health Information Technology.

The health information technician may be responsible for functional supervision of the various components of the health information systems including the electronic record and the data that it includes.

Professionals holding the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential are health information technicians who:

Ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for RHITs is cancer registrars – compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.

With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor’s degree.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Health Data Management

Collect, maintain, and analyze health data.
Apply healthcare information requirements and standards to the organization and accuracy of data.
Use, maintain, and validate clinical classification systems.

Health Statistics, Biomedical Research, and Quality Management

Collect, maintain, and report healthcare for research and quality management.

Health Services Organization and Delivery

Apply laws and standards related to health information initiatives from various levels and from healthcare providers.
Adhere to healthcare privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards.

Information Technology and Systems

Use technology, including hardware and software, to ensure data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of information.
Maintain data security.

Organizational Resources

Use tools and techniques to monitor, report, and improve human resources.
Manage and monitor financial and material resources.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Retention rates in program- 82%
Employer satisfaction rates overall – 100%
Graduation rates -75%

Program Outcomes based on 2021-2022 academic year.

The HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT accreditor of Mountwest Community and Technical College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for ASSOCIATE degree in HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT has been reaffirmed through 2026. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org. 2027-28

Admission Requirements

The college adheres to an open admission policy which means applications with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. Applicants with neither a high school diploma nor GED may be admitted on a conditional basis.

Potential Employers

Office-based physician practices
Nursing homes
Home health agencies
Mental health facilities
Public health agencies
Acute care facilities
Insurance companies
Other healthcare providers

Career Outlook: projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031

Health information technicians work in a wide variety of settings including acute, ambulatory, and long-term care facilities, state and local health departments, insurance companies, rehabilitation centers, and physician’s offices.

An aging population will require more medical services, and health information technicians will be needed to organize and manage the older generations’ health information data. This will mean more claims for reimbursement from insurance companies.

Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) by all types of healthcare providers, will lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

Want to learn more about this program?

Interested in learning more about the MCTC program? Send us a message and talk to our program coordinator.

Janet Smith, MS, RHIA,CCS, CMA-AAMA

Health Information Technology Program Director