The Anoka Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) is a 64-credit program that prepares students for a career working in health care and settings where health information is utilized. A student graduating with an HIT degree is well prepared to assume an entry-level position in this professional field.
Course Prerequisites
Some courses may require appropriate test score or completion of basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.
- BIOL 1106: READ 0900 or appropriate placement score
- HITM 2000: MATH 0801 or appropriate test score and instructor approval
- HITM 2245: MATH 0801 or appropriate test score
- HITM 2260: Successful completion of first three semesters of HIT program and instructor permission
Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to work in a hospital/healthcare setting beginning as an entry-level supervisor.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to sit for a number of coding credentials, such as the CCA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-H.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to work in a hospital, clinic, public health facility, insurance company, or related facility.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to deal with confidential patient information and work in the area of release of information.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to transfer to a four-year degree program in Health Information Management.
- Successful completion of the degree will allow the student to further their career path by continuing their education in Tumor Registry.
Background Study
Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state. An individual who is disqualified from having direct contact with patients as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in a clinical placement in a Minnesota licensed health care facility. Anoka Technical College will withdraw any student who is disqualified by the Minnesota Department of Health. The student is responsible for requesting the commissioner to reconsider the disqualification.
Accreditations
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) determined that completion of the Health Information Technology (HIT) program prepares a student to take the national licensure examination for AHIMA RHIT (Registered Health Information Technology) exam. Passage of the national exam is required for licensure in all 50 U.S. states and U.S. protectorates. Therefore, the HIT program MEETS educational requirements needed to obtain professional licensure in all 50 states and U.S. protectorates. The state board will evaluate each application in its entirety to make a final decision regarding professional licensure/certification. Additional requirements such as state-specific examinations, background checks, fees, additional training, experience and coursework, etc. may apply.
Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) which is a requirement for sitting for the certification exam. Our program prepares students for the AHIMA RHIT (Registered Health Information Technology) exam. Passing the RHIT exam leads to national certification which is recognized in all states. Therefore, we have determined that our programs meet the certification requirements for all states. https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certifications/rhit/
To obtain the contact information for the licensing boards, please see this link.
If you have additional questions related to being licensed in a different state or licensure in general, please contact, Georgina Sampson or Jody Sandberg.
Program Outcomes
Placement Rate: 87%
Graduate Satisfaction Rate: 100%
Employer Satisfaction Rate: 100%
(Program Outcomes for 2017)
Program Sequence
| First Semester |
17 |
ADSC 1171
|
Microsoft Excel
|
2
|
ADSC 1181
|
Microsoft Access
|
2
|
| HITM 1110 |
Medical Terminology in Health Information |
3 |
| HITM 1130 |
ICD-10-CM Coding |
3 |
HITM 1221
|
Introduction to Health Information Management |
3
|
HLTH 1005
|
Anatomy & Physiology
|
4 |
Second Semester
|
15 |
BIOL 1106
|
Principles of Biology
|
4
|
HITM 1230
|
ICD-10-PCS Coding
|
3
|
HITM 1240
|
CPT Coding
|
3 |
| HLTH 1000 |
Disease Conditions
|
2
|
INTS 1000
|
Critical Thinking applications for College
|
3
|
Third Semester
|
17 |
| HITM 1200 |
Billing and Reimbursement |
2
|
HITM 1244
|
Law and Ethics |
2
|
| HITM 1250 |
Advanced Coding |
2
|
HITM 2000
|
Health Information and Statistics
|
3
|
MnTC
|
English transferable course
|
3
|
MnTC General Education Elective
|
|
5
|
Fourth Semester
|
15 |
HITM 1210
|
Supervision of Health Information |
3
|
HITM 1325
|
Quality & Performance Improvement in Healthcare |
3
|
HITM 2240
|
Computerized Health Information
|
3
|
HITM 2245
|
Health Care Statistic and Data Registries |
3
|
HITM 2261
|
Professional Practice Experience
|
3
|
Part-Time Options
Students can choose to complete this program part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guide (see the program guide PDF under the LINKS section to the right). Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisors for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence. Refer to the below PDF document for first semester part-time course options and further information.
Part-time Options
Graduation Requirements
All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology must earn a grade of “C” or higher in every course in the program.
Transfer Opportunities
To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:
Industry Information
The health information management (HIM) professional is an important connection between doctors, patients, insurance providers and other health care professionals within the field. By maintaining, collecting and analyzing health information, the HIM professional makes an important behind the scenes contribution to the delivery of quality care. Besides working with cutting-edge technology, HIM professionals are experts in the field of patient health information and health records.
Health information technicians ensure the quality of health information by:
- verifying health records completeness and accuracy and proper entry into computer systems.
- utilizing computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data.
- coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement and research.
- compiling and maintaining registry data.
- assuring patient privacy and data security.
Wage/Outlook/Advancement
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, projects that employment for health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average.
Credentialed health information technicians (RHITs) can look forward to many expanding career opportunities due to increasing patient privacy/data security legislation and computerization of health information.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Faculty