Introduction to Health Information
Technology/Coding Program
Successful coders are
- detail oriented,
- enjoy human anatomy
and physiology,
- pathology, and
- possess analytical skills.
Successful Health Information Technology job candidates must possess
- computer proficiency and
- business attributes
such as
- vision and
- the ability to manage people, projects,
and teams.
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Program
Summary
The need for skilled personnel in this field has grown
significantly with the expanding need for the management
of health information. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates
that employment is expected to grow faster than average
with good prospects for technicians with a strong coding
background. additionally, employment is expected to increase
by 18% by 2016. The mean annual wage for HIT professionals
is between $25,000 and $30,000.
Purpose: The Health Information Technology
program prepares students to become Registered Health Information
Technicians upon completing the program and passing the
national accreditation examination.
Degree: Graduates earn an Associate of
Applied Science degree. They are eligible to take the national
examination given by the American Health Information Management
Association to become a Registered Health Information Technician.
Curriculum: Students must complete 71
credit hours and are strongly encouraged to take as many
of the general education courses listed in the curriculum
prior to taking HIT courses.
Courses: The Health Information Technology
program provides classroom and laboratory instruction.
The classroom includes
state-of-the-art instructional technology to include a
sympodium, Internet access, and videoconferencing capabilities.
Courses include a combination of traditional and web-based
instruction for student convenience. The program
offers practical experience in record management, computer
proficiency, systems analysis, data processing and management,
quality assurance, medical terminology, budgeting, and
personnel management. Other areas covered include coding
diagnoses and procedures, legislation and accreditation
requirements, and human anatomy and physiology. Students
earn practical experience during 240 hours of required
internships in a variety of settings.
Skills: Skills gained through the program
curriculum include, but are not limited to, the following:
- compiling,
organizing, and analyzing patient information through
manual and computerized applications
- classifying clinical information for future retrieval
and research
- releasing patient information in compliance with state
and federal laws
- using quality improvement methodologies to monitor
information and clinical practices
- compiling databases, analyzing data, and report writing
- designing and managing information systems
- working
toward a computerized patient record
Accreditation: The
Health Information Technology Program is fully accredited
by the The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics
and Information Management
Education (CAHIIM).
Note: Prospective students are hereby
notified that a criminal/sex offender background
check by the Virginia State Police may be
required depending on internship placement. The cost of the background
check is the responsibility of the
student. A health history and physical must be completed in
the first semester of the program.
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Career Opportunities
The need for skilled personnel in the field has grown
significantly with the expanding needs for information.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment is expected to grow faster than average for HIM Professionals. The mean annual wage for HIT Professionals is $25,000 - $30,000.
AHIMA:
American Health Information Management Association
Occupational
Outlook Handbook: Health Information Technicians
Admissions
Process
The following steps must be completed as soon as possible.
1. Obtain a new Student Information Packet available
at the Virginia Beach Admissions Center
(757-822-7172), the Counseling office (757-822-7211), or TCC
Information Center (757-822-1122).
2. Complete and return an Application
for Admission to Tidewater Community College to the TCC Virginia Beach Campus Admissions Center in the Princess
Anne Building, Room A-111.
3. Attend the Health Information Technology/Coding Open
House held on the third Thursday of each month from 1:00
p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
5. Take the TCC English and math placement tests if required.
It is recommended you take them as soon as possible to
allow adequate time to take any developmental courses required
prior to taking any HIT courses. Consult the Counseling
Center for information concerning your need to take these
tests and for times given.
6 Submit a Health Professions Application form for the Health Information Technology/Coding Program to
Leslie Twine, or mail to Leslie Twine, Health
Professions Division, Tidewater Community College, 1700
College Crescent,
Virginia Beach, VA 23453 or complete the application
on-line. Application deadline is June 15th annually
for the fall semester.
7. Have official college transcripts sent directly to
Tidewater Community College, Central Records/Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509-9000 from the appropriate
institution's registrar. Student copies are not acceptable.
Missing transcripts are the greatest cause of delay in
the application process and are the applicant's responsibility.
Any college course work transferred to TCC requires a transcript
evaluation.
8. In conjunction with requesting transcripts as noted
above, you must also submit an on-line Request for Evaluation
of Previous Higher
Educational
Experiences
to the Central Records Office. The website address is: www.tcc.edu/secure/forms/evaluationrequest.php
9. Enroll in prerequisite courses as required by the
program.
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Questions?
Health Information
Technology
Open House
- third Thursday of each month
- Virginia
Beach Campus, Lynnhaven Building Room E-109
- 1:00 p.m.
- 2:00 p.m.
- The program director will be available to answer any questions.
TCC Information Center: 757-822.1122
Financial Aid Office: 757-822-7292 - website
Veterans Affairs
Office: 757-822-7235 - website
Counseling Center: 757-822-7212 - website
Amy Shay ,
Program Director, MBA, RHIA
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