According to the US Department of Labor, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance. Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

The Health Information Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education in cooperation with the Council on Education of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

In this program, students will develop skills to collect, assemble, organize and manage health information for completeness and accuracy, ensuring quality, accessibility and security utilizing both paper and electronic systems. Students will use computer programs to chart and analyze health information data for patient care improvement, budget planning, and documentation for use in legal actions and/or for use in research studies. They will also use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, databases, registries, and to maintain medical and treatment histories.

Numerous opportunities await the HIT graduate in a variety of medical facilities. Experienced, credentialed technicians may also advance to management and supervisory positions, overseeing the work of various departments within the medical facility.

The student must maintain a numerical average of 78 or better in each required technical course to receive the AAS degree.

During the final directed practice course, students will take the National Certification Examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Upon graduation of the six-semester program, graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Admissions Requirements

Additional Program Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements listed under "Admissions Information", the student must have maintained a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in high school or previous post-secondary studies, or have a score of 45 on the GED. All students must be able to successfully complete a timed writing with a minimum speed of 35 words per minute with 3 or less errors. An interview with the Department Chair is also required, as well as completion of the THEA/ACCUPLACER and completion of a program orientation prior to registration of classes.

Practicum Entry Requirements: Before enrolling in practicum courses, a student must have on file with the department the following materials:

• The ability to satisfy the industry standards for the program.
• Proof of required immunizations.
• Proof of liability insurance of at least $1 million (available through TSTC).
• Proof of health and accident insurance (available through TSTC).
• Proof of auto liability.
• Proof of current driver’s license.
• Passage of a criminal background check (available through TSTC).
• Passage of a drug and alcohol screening (required by various medical facilities).