DEGREE
- A.S.—Health Information Technology
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
- Health Information Coding Specialist
Program Description
The CRC Health Information Technology program is designed to train health information professionals with the knowledge and skills to process, analyze, disseminate and maintain health care information. A career as a health information professional offers a unique opportunity to combine an interest in health information, business, and computer information science.
The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology prepares students for a career in a variety of health care settings across an array of health care environments. Health Information Technician graduates are employed in hospitals, as well as in other healthcare settings, including public/private health agencies, mental health facilities, long-term care, ambulatory care, state and federal health agencies, physician practices and home health agencies. Health Information Technicians verify health information data for completeness and accuracy, use computer applications to integrate and assess patient data, compile and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment, and research. HIT professionals code and abstract clinical data using the appropriate classification systems.
Career Opportunities
| Health Information Analyst | Health Information Abstractor |
| Release of Information | Supervisor, Health Information |
| Consultant | Data Quality Manager |
| ICD/CPT Coder | Quality Improvement Coordinator |
| Medical Staff Coordinator | |
| Employment opportunities possible in the following settings: | |
| Ambulatory Care | |
| Long-Term Care/Rehabilitation | |
| State and Federal Health Agencies | |
| Professional Review Organizations | |
| Insurance Companies | |
| Consulting Firms | |
| Mental Health/Chemical Dependency | |
| Acute Care | |
Some Career Opportunities may require experience in addition to at least one year of college study.
Highlights
- As the health care industry continues to grow and expand, the demand for health information technicians also increases. Employment is expected to grow faster than average through the year 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010) because of the rapid growth in tests, treatments and procedures available.
- This Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education in collaboration with the American Health Information Management Association. (CAHIIM)
- Earnings of health information technicians vary by type and size of facility, level of responsibility and geographic region. The mean annual wage is $38,880 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010)
- Non-paid clinical experience in applying classroom-based knowledge at affiliated health-related agencies.
- This is an online program.
For information about the student learning outcomes for this program, see www.crc.losrios.edu/pslo