Health Information Technology, AAS

Program Details

Semester 1

• CSC 110 - Intro to Computers Credits: 3
• HIT 390 - Intro HIT Project Management Credits: 1
• HIT 125 - Essentials of Health Records Credits: 2
• HSC 120 - Medical Terminology I Credits: 3
• HIT 360 - Introduction to HIT Credits: 3

Semester 2

• HIT 450 - Health Statistics Credits: 2
• MAP 141 - Medical Insurance Credits: 3
• HSC 121 - Medical Terminology II Credits: 3
• HIT 120 - Pharmacology for HIT Credits: 1
• INF 110 - Fundamental Informatics Credits: 3

• Select one course from Option 1 Credits: 3

Semester 3

• HIT 520 - Internship I Credits: 2
• ENG 105 - Composition I Credits: 3
• BIO 733 - Health Science Anatomy Credits: 3
• HIT 162 - Data Security for Health IT Credits: 2

Semester 4

• HIT 315 - Electronic App for Health Data Credits: 2

• Select one course from Option 2 Credits:3

• Select one course from Option 3 Credits: 3

• Select one course from Option 4 Credits: 3

• MAP 144 - Beginning Medical Coding Credits: 3

Semester 5

• HIT 420 - Legal Aspects of Health Info Credits: 2
• HIT 290 - Reimbursement Methods Credits: 3
• HIT 429 - Quality Improvement Credits: 3
• HIT 521 - Internship II Credits: 4
• HIT 339 - Quality Management Credits: 2

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 65

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs

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: $12,285**

**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 Degree program?

• 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.

Program Competencies

This Program will..

1. Demonstrate and explain how health records need to be maintained consistent with medical, legal, ethical, administrative and regulatory requirements related to the health information infrastructure.
2. Apply an organization’s health information policies, procedures and standards to collect, store, analyze and/or report accurate data from health IT systems that supports diagnosis, progress, clinical findings and discharge status.
3. Use and format data from health IT systems to effectively facilitate education, knowledge sharing and informed decision making within health care organizations.
4. Examine methodologies and health IT tools for quality improvement and analytics to measure and improve health care outcomes.
5. Perform data analysis, query data, and produce reports from electronic records and data bases for organizational initiatives, regulatory reporting and registries.
6. Examine different clinical vocabularies, data/code sets and terminologies used in the health IT industry.
7. Explain how the business of health care (coding, billing and payment) is supported by health IT applications.
8. Use appropriate medical and IT terminology to communicate with both clinical and IT personnel in a healthcare organization.
9. Differentiate the types of health IT systems and software used in the industry, especially the major EHR and population health management vendors.
10. Summarize how health IT is utilized to assist in managing and monitoring operational, financial, compliance and improvement activities of a health care organization.
11. Examine the SDLC utilized in planning, adoption and use of health IT applications including downtime/contingency planning to maximize patient safety and efficiencies.
12. Explain the importance of private and confidential communications by applying the principles of release of information for maintaining secure access and disclosure of protected health information required to meet HIPAA guidelines.
13. Identify vulnerabilities and protection schemes related to HIPAA data security requirements including the 4 A’s of health IT security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of protected health information.
14. Incorporate IT project management tools and techniques utilized in the health information technology field.
15. Examine core foundational principles of informatics and IT systems including basic database, internet, network and programming concepts.
16. Integrate “real world” experiences with the ability to work effectively both individually and within a team through interaction and communication with professionals, staff and fellow students.
17. Explain the information technology needs and risk assessment process utilized in assisting health care organizations in achieving their goals and supporting their information technology systems.

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 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@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.).₍₂₀₁₈₎