Health Information Technology for Healthcare Professional

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The Health Information Technology Healthcare Professional Certificate (HIT/HP) is designed for those students with healthcare work experience. The certificate aids healthcare workers with transitioning into the field of health IT. Courses are structured to increase knowledge and understanding of health IT in order to meet the growing market needs for health IT workers.

The curriculum for this certificate is formatted to meet the needs of working students with courses offered online and web-blended. Traditional courses are commonly offered in the evenings on the Ankeny campus. Students will study elements of business, information technology, informatics, and health IT to train those with current healthcare experience in the key areas of health IT. The curriculum covers core skills for a wide variety of possible job options. Students are introduced to key areas of health IT including: types of hospital information systems, installation/upgrade processes and use of electronic health records (EHRs), health data standards, incentive programs such as Meaningful Use, health information exchange, health statistics and reporting, quality improvement, legal compliance, reimbursement, data security and health IT.

Graduates will be able to support and assist clinicians in utilizing technology to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare and to make a difference in the healthcare industry and in the lives of patients.

The following criteria are recommended for entrance into the certificate:

Two years of work experience in information technology field.
Math: a minimum ALEKS Math placement score of 30 or ACT score of 19
Reading: a minimum ACCUPLACER READING score of 73 or ACT score of 19
Writing: a minimum ACCUPLACER SENTENCE SKILLS score of 82 or ACT score of 19.

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

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students are strongly advised to contact the HIT program chair at 515-964-6548 in Bldg. 24, Room 305 (Ankeny Campus), or contact the health programs adviser at 515-964-6200 for further information.

Program Details

Location: Ankeny

Students start Fall semester

Program Entry Requirements

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

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Health Information Technology for Healthcare Professionals Certificate a student must complete all required coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1

CSC 110 - Intro to Computers 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 430 - Quality Improvement 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……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3
Books (approx. for new books, HIT courses only)	475	72	50

Approximate total for the program: $3,768**

**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.

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₎