Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Information Technology, AAS


The Health Information Technology AAS degree is designed to meet growing demands for trained health information specialists and data managers in the health IT industry. Graduates may pursue work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care, insurance companies, government agencies, quality improvement programs, vendors, etc.


Coursework combines elements of business, computers, health sciences and health IT with practical computer lab and on-site internship experiences. Students learn skills in areas such as electronic health records (EHRs), government regulations related to health IT, health statistics, data analysis and reporting, quality improvement, informatics, coding, billing/ reimbursement, legal compliance and other technical processes.


In addition to the AAS degree, there are many certification options for health IT professionals, depending upon the desired career path. Certifications will enhance the AAS degree. For example, CAHIMS/CPHIMS, CPEHR/CPHIT/CPHIE, privacy/security such as CHPS/CHP/CSCS/CISSP or coding credentials such as CPC/ CPC-P or, CCA/CCS-P. Credentials may require work experience prior to certification and continuing education hours to maintain certification. Costs and qualifications vary.


This HIT program utilizes a background check service to conduct criminal background/abuse checks. Immunizations and a physical exam are required after students start the program and prior to placement at internships sites. Students are responsible for the cost of this service. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participation in health IT education experiences. Students unable to participate in health IT education experiences (internships) will be unable to complete the Health Information Technology program.

 

The following are recommended program entrance assessment scores:

  1. Math: a minimum ALEKS Math placement score of 30 or ACT score of 19
  2. Reading: a minimum ACCUPLACER READING score of 73 or ACT score of 19
  3. Writing: a minimum ACCUPLACER WRITING score of 82 or ACT score of 19

 

For more information about the Health Information Technology program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/health/healthinfotech.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Students start Fall semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session or obtain the approval of the program chairperson.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Health Information Technology AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade of 2.0 (C) or better is required in all HIT courses.

Semester 2


Semester 4


Option 2 - Select 1 Course


Option 3 - Select 1 Course


Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 65


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate/new books) (HIT courses only) 548 91 50    0 526
Background Check/Immunization Tracker (see below)   60      
Immunizations (est cost-varies with each student) 150        
Internship Student Expenses (gas/meals) (varies)     220   440
Association/Other Meetings (varies)  30         30

The HIT program utilizes a background check service to conduct criminal background/abuse checks and to track immunizations and health records for each student after their acceptance into the program. Students are responsible for the cost of this service.

Approximate total for the program: $11,960**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Assist with implementation/upgrade and provide ongoing support of electronic health record systems and other health IT application/IT projects.
  • Assure compliance with laws/regulatory and voluntary accreditation requirements related to healthcare/health IT.
  • Redesign paper-based work processes for an electronic environment.
  • Train and support other end users on health IT systems to ensure optimal functionality.
  • Extract, analyze and complete data reporting to assist with research, coordination of care, population health management and value-based payment models
  • Utilize data and code sets, such as ICD10/CPT, in completing data reporting analysis.
  • Participate in and complete reporting for quality improvement projects utilizing tools from different performance models.
  • Support HIPAA privacy/security compliance.
  • Participate on project teams and complete project status reports to ensure implementation and support of project solutions.
  • Work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, registries, government agencies, software companies, long-term care (e.g., nursing homes), etc.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Effective communication in both writing and speaking.
  • General business knowledge, self-starter, motivation, work without supervision.
  • Ability to work effectively and efficiently both as an individual and in a team environment.
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Adaptability to change.
  • Keyboarding test score of 30 wpm or higher.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • Most coursework can be arranged to accommodate working professionals. Traditional health IT courses are located at Ankeny Campus, with a majority of them being online and web-blended. 
  • There are many optional certifications for Health IT professionals depending upon desired career path. Certifications will enhance the AAS degree. For example:  CAHIMS/CPHIMS; CPEHR/CPHIT/CPHIE, CDIP, CHDA, CHPS and coding credentials such as CPC/CIC or CCA/CCS, just to mention a few. Certification may require work experience before meeting eligibility requirements to sit for credentialing examination and continuing education hours to maintain certification. Costs and qualifications vary.
  • There are several health IT professional associations such as the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Healthcare Finance Management Association (HFMA) and American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Although membership is optional, these associations have local chapters that may offer student memberships providing access to educational meetings and other professional resources. Students will be asked to attend a conference as part of course work, at a reduced student rate.
  • Baccalaureate degree completion is available at many four-year colleges that offer healthcare management programs. Most of these honor DMACC transfer credit. The HIT program chair can provide further information.
  • Student must provide their own transportation to internship site locations. Internships will be established locally in the central Iowa area; however, internships may require travel within the state. Given their access to patient records and protected health information during the labs and internship courses, health IT students will be required to sign a confidentiality statement and pass a criminal background check. A background check service is used to conduct criminal background/abuse checks and to track the immunizations and health records of each student after their acceptance into the program and prior to their first internship. Students are responsible for the cost of this service. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participation in health IT education experiences (internships). Students unable to participate in health IT education experiences (internships) will be unable to complete the Health Information Technology program.
  • In March 2017, HIMSS organization designated Iowa at #6 (+14%) in its “Top 10 States With Rising Demand for HIT Talent” over the past 90 days against the same period last year.

For additional information about job outlook and salary, visit the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook at HIT Technicians, Computer Support Specialists and Computer Systems Analysts.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2017)