Health Information Technology for Healthcare Professional, Certificate

Program Details

Semester 1

• CSC 116 - Information Computing Credits: 3
• HIT 125 - Essentials of Health Records Credits: 2
• HIT 360 - Introduction to HIT Credits: 3

Semester 2

• HIT 290 - Reimbursement Methods Credits: 3
• HIT 440 - Quality Management Credits: 3
• HIT 450 - Health Statistics Credits: 2
• INF 110 - Fundamental Informatics Credits: 3

Semester 3

• HIT 162 - Data Security for Health IT Credits: 2

Total Credits Required to Complete this Certificate - 21

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$174.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs

Approximate total for the program: $4,251**

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

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?

• Two years’ work experience or educational training in the healthcare field.
• 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 Specialist Certificate?

• It is recommended that students have two years of healthcare work experience or educational training prior to starting the certificate.
• 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. 
• Graduates may pursue work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care, insurance companies, government agencies, quality improvement programs, etc.
• There are many optional certifications for Health IT professionals depending upon desired career path. Certifications will enhance a degree. For example:  CAHIMS/CPHIMS, CPEHR/CPHIT/CPHIE, CDIP, CHDA and CHPS, 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.
• 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

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. Use and format data from health IT systems to effectively facilitate education, knowledge sharing and informed decision making within health care organizations.
3. Perform data analysis, query data, and produce reports from electronic records and databases for organizational initiatives, regulatory reporting and registries.
4. Examine different clinical vocabularies, datacode sets and terminologies used in the health IT industry.
5. Explain how the business of health care (coding, billing, and payment) is supported by health IT applications.
6. Use appropriate medical and IT terminology to communicate with both clinical and IT personnel in a healthcare organization.
7. Differentiate the types of health IT systems and software used in the industry
8. Summarize how health IT is utilized to assist in managing and monitoring operational, financial, compliance and improvement activities of a health care organization.
9. Examine core foundational principles of informatics and IT systems

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₎