Career Outlook
HEALTH
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
The Health Information Technician possesses both
administrative and technical skills necessary to
confidentially maintain components of health
record systems consistent with the medical,
administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and
regulatory requirements of the health care delivery
system. The Health Information Technician analyzes
and evaluates health records according to standards;
compiles various types of administrative and health
statistics for use in patient care; converts physician
documentation into diagnosis and procedure
codes; releases health information to authorized
requestors; assists with the implementation and
maintenance of the electronic health record; and
maintains and utilizes a variety of health record
indexes and storage and retrieval systems. In
addition, the Health Information Technician plays
an important role in ensuring that the healthcare
facility receives accurate reimbursement for
treatment rendered, abstracts discharge data
to support quality management activities, and
manages the daily operations of the Health
Information department.
The Health Information Technology program has
a passage rate of 98% on the national certification
exam amongst first-time test takers. Those that pass
the exam can use the RHIT credentials to show that
they are Registered Health Information Technicians.
These credentials open many diverse opportunities
in the business side of healthcare. Past graduates
are in positions as coders, managers, privacy officers,
compliance auditors, clinical documentations
specialists, data analysts, and others. The primary
employers are hospitals, however graduates have
also been successful in clinics, nursing homes,
prisons, and other non-traditional healthcare
settings. The transition to the electronic health
record will continue to enhance and redefine roles
for health information professionals into more
technologically advanced positions.
To learn more about the Health Information
profession, visit www.ahima.org/careers/healthinfo
and www.hicareers.com/CareerMap. The career
map is an interactive tool that will show a wide
variety of positions available within the profession.
Baccalaureate Option
Upon completion of an Associate of Applied Science
Degree in the Health Information Technology
Program, students will qualify to apply for admission
into the Health Care Management baccalaureate
degree program at Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale. Students will also qualify for entry into
Health Information Management baccalaureate
degree programs across the county. Some of these
are offered entirely online and are designed for the
working Registered Health Information Technician.
Program Curriculum
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEGREE PROGRAM
FIRST YEAR – SUMMER SEMESTER
COURSECREDITS
BIO 205 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4
4
FIRST YEAR – FALL SEMESTER
COURSECREDITS
BIO 206 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4
HIT 101 Introduction to Health Information
3
HIT 206 Medical Insurance and Billing Procedure 3
HIT 217 Medical Terminology
3
MAT 120 Elementary Statistics
3
16
FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER
COURSECREDITS
HIT 102 Health Records Procedures
3
HIT 204 ICD-10-CM Coding Basics
3
HIT 210 CPT Coding
3
HIT 215 Pathophysiology
4
HIT 218 Introduction to Pharmacology
3
16
SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTER
COURSECREDITS
ENG 101 English Composition I13
HIT 201 Health Data and Statistics 2
HIT 202 Clinical Practicum I
2
HIT 203 Management in Health Care
3
HIT 205 ICD-10-CM/PCS Advanced Coding
5
HIT 211 Medico Legal Aspects
2
17
SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER
COURSECREDITS
CIS 105 Current Operating Systems/Security
3
HIT 212 Quality Management
3
HIT 213 Clinical Practicum II
2
HIT 216 Reimbursement Management
3
SPE 115 Speech
3
Elective2
3
17
Travel
All courses are taken at JALC with the exception of
two clinical practicums. Clinical practicum courses
require travel to area healthcare facilities. Completion
of the program may require travel up to one hour or
more to clinical sites if local facilities are not able to
accommodate the student’s learning needs.
Expenses
1. Tuition, books and fees
JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE
700 Logan College Road • Carterville, IL 62918
618-985-3741
www.jalc.edu
2. Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening
3. Physical exam/lab tests/immunizations
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
4. Application fee for the Registered Health
Information Technician examination.
(The cost is approximately $229-299.)
Chris Froemling, RHIA, CCS
HIT Instructor, Business Education
Ext. 8580, [email protected]
5. Students are responsible for costs of
transportation to healthcare facilities for
clinical practicums and field trips.
Accreditation Status
6. Medical insurance coverage.
Financial Aid
A variety of financial aid exists. The applicant should
contact the Financial Aid Office at JALC. Some of the
types of financial aid presently offered are:
1. Scholarships
2. Loans
3. Grants
HEALTH
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM
The Health Information Technology Associate of Applied
Science degree program is fully accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics
and Information Management Education. Because of
this accreditation, graduates of this program will be
eligible to sit for the national certification examination.
Successful completion of this exam
confers the title of Registered Health
Information Technician (RHIT).
Admission Requirements
Graduated from an approved high school, or
shall demonstrate equivalent competency (G.E.D.
examination).
JOHN A. LOGAN
COLLEGE
John A. Logan College does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, color, national origin, disability, age, gender orientation.
4/16
www.jalc.edu