Health Information Technology A.A.S.

School: Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning
Academic Dept: Allied Health
HEGIS: 5213.00

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2021 to Summer 2022. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology provides students with the knowledge and skills to analyze, organize, and disseminate health information. Students are prepared to manage patient data in a diverse range of health care settings. Certificates in Medical Coding and Medical Billing , offered by Westchester Community College, may be utilized as “stackable credentials” and be applied toward the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology.

Using classroom and practical experiences, students learn about the protection of personal health records, data analysis and the use of computer applications to record, integrate and report patient data for reimbursement and compliance facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assurance, and research.

Health Information Technicians work with other professionals to ensure that the documentation gathered is complete, accurate and timely. Health Information Technicians work in hospitals, office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, insurance companies, government agencies, technology firms, both inpatient and ambulatory healthcare systems, and public health agencies. Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations and demand is expected to increase as the population ages.

Program Notes

Coursework for the Health Information Technology A.A.S. program is largely offered in the evening as a hybrid learning experience which blends online with in-person classroom experiences.
The new A.A.S. has been developed to conform to the highest standards of the profession. The program will be pursuing accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Upon successful completion of the Health Information Technology Program, the graduate will be eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. With experience, the RHIT credential holds excellent potential for professional advancement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate competency in utilization of procedural grouping and diagnostic coding.
Demonstrate competency managing electronic health records.
Demonstrate competency in applying legal and ethical concepts to health information management.
Demonstrate competency in the use of technology to support administrative applications.
Demonstrate competency in the use of research and data analytics to support decision-making.
Demonstrate competency in managing the revenue cycle and reimbursement.
Demonstrate competency in team leadership.
Demonstrate competency in organizational management within the healthcare delivery system.

Program Map

The academic map below presents the recommended plan of study and will guide you through your program in a timely manner. Click the course abbreviations for full course descriptions. A course may be critical because it is a pre-requisite, requires a minimum grade, or because it is only offered once a year. Missing a critical course may push back your graduation date. Meet with an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure you are on track to complete your program.

Critical Courses should be taken in the order shown to stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
ENG 101	✔	✔	3
HCTAL 101	✔		3
HIT 110	✔	✔	3
MATH 117	✔	✔	3
BTECH 230	✔		3
Semester Total Credits			15

Semester 2

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
ENG 102	✔	✔	3
HIT 130	✔	✔	3
HIT 120	✔	✔	3
HIT 210	✔	✔	3
Semester Total Credits			12

Semester 3

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HIT 140	✔	✔	3
HIT 150	✔	✔	3
HIT 220	✔	✔	3
HIT 230	✔	✔	3
The Arts, Foreign Language, or Other World Civilizations Gen Ed Elective	✔		3
Semester Total Credits			15

Semester 4

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HIT 260	✔	✔	3
HIT 270	✔	✔	3
HIT 280	✔	✔	3
American History or Western Civilization Gen Ed Elective	✔		3
Social Sciences Gen Ed Elective	✔		3
Semester Total Credits			15

Summer 1

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HIT 250	✔	✔	2
Semester Total Credits			2

Summer 2

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
HIT 290	✔	✔	2
Semester Total Credits			2

Minimum Total Credits: 61

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

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