Health Information Technology, AAS

Program Details

Semester 1

• HIT 390 - Intro HIT Project Management Credits: 1
• HIT 125 - Essentials of Health Records Credits: 2
• HSC 114 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
• HIT 360 - Introduction to HIT Credits: 3
• SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
• Select 3 Credits from Option 1 Credits: 3

Semester 2

• HIT 450 - Health Statistics Credits: 2
• MAP 141 - Medical Insurance Credits: 3
• HIT 120 - Pharmacology for HIT Credits: 1
• INF 110 - Fundamental Informatics Credits: 3
• Select 3 Credits from Option 2  Credits: 3
• Select 3-4 Credits from Option 3   Credits: 3-4

Semester 3

• HIT 522 - HIT Prof Prac Exp I Credits: 3
• ENG 105 - Composition I Credits: 3
• HSC 128 - Anatomy & Phys for Allied Credits: 3
• HIT 162 - Data Security for Health IT Credits: 2
• MAP 532 - Human Body-Health & Disease Credits: 3

Semester 4

• HIT 315 - Electronic App for Health Dat Credits: 2
• HIT 290 - Reimbursement Methods Credits: 3
• Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Math/Science   Credits: 3
• Select 3 credits course from Option 4  Credits: 3
• Select 3 credits from Option 5  Credits: 3

Semester 5

• HIT 420 - Legal Aspects of Health Info Credits: 2
• HIT 440 - Quality Management Credits: 3
• HIT 524 - HIT Prof Practice Exp II Credits: 3
• BCA 152 - Comprehensive Spreadsheets Credits: 3

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree: 67*

*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$174.00 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: $13,598**

**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.
• 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 and CPT.
• Participate in and complete reporting for quality improvement projects utilizing tools from different performance models.
• Support HIPAA privacy and security compliance.
• Participate on project teams and complete project status reports to ensure implementation and support of project solutions.
• Work in a variety of health care settings

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. 
• Student must provide their own transportation to practicum sites.

Salary per Iowa Workforce Development Iowa Wage Report 2019. https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/iowa-wage-report

• Entry wage: $32,424/year
• Average wage:  $43,279/year
• With experience:  $48.706/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 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. Analyze data, query data, and produce reports from electronic records and database systems for organizational initiatives, regulatory reporting and registries.
6. Examine different clinical vocabularies, datacode sets and terminologies used in the health IT industry.
7.  Interpret the  reimbursement methodologies of health care provided byhealth IT applications.
8. Use appropriate medical and IT terminology to communicate with both clinical and IT personnel in a healthcare organization.
9. Differentiate types of health IT systems and software used in the industry
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. Apply the principles of release of information for maintaining secure access and disclosure of protected health information required byHIPAA guidelines.
12. Identify vulnerabilities and protection schemes related to HIPAA data security requirements
13. Incorporate IT project management tools and techniques utilized in the health ITfield.
14. Examine core foundational principles of informatics and IT systems
15. 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.

Nondiscrimination Statement

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, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. 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, dso@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. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at https://www.dmacc.edu/admissions/Pages/checklist.aspx. ₍₂₀₂₁₎