The purpose of the Health Information Technology Program is to prepare individuals for employment as health information technicians. Graduates of this program will be prepared for positions in the health information/medical record departments of health care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, physician offices, insurance companies and a variety of other health care institutions. Graduates will be prepared in organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating medical records according to established standards. Compilation of statistics, medical coding of information, abstracting medical records and legal aspects of health information will be taught.
The academic content will include a core of liberal arts chosen from the areas of anatomy and physiology, social sciences, humanities, computer science, business and English. The remainder of the curriculum is designed to build technical and computer skills necessary for the health information technician. Computer laboratories and web based activities will also be used for medical coding, statistical analysis, clinical data base management, maintenance and retrieval of patient data and the emerging electronic health record (EHR). During the course of study, students will participate in two professional practice experiences which will provide training and experience in actual health care settings.
