Health Information Technology, AAS

The health information technology (HIT) program is designed to prepare students to enter the health information field with either a diploma in coding or an Associate of Applied Science degree. Students receiving a diploma are prepared to work in entry-level positions as a coding technician in a variety of healthcare settings. Those receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree are able to work in a greater variety of entry-level positions given greater clinical and didactic preparation.

Program Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of healthcare data content, structure, and standards, including classification systems; health record content and documentation; secondary data sources; and data governance and management.
• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of information protection, access disclosure, archival privacy, and security, including health law; data privacy, confidentiality, and security; and release of information.
• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of health informatics, analytics, and data use, including health information technologies and management strategic planning; analytics and decision support; statistics and research methods; consumer informatics; and health information integrity, data quality, and information exchange.
• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of revenue management, including revenue cycle and reimbursement.
• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of compliance, including regulatory, coding, fraud surveillance, and clinical documentation improvement.
• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and proficiency of Leadership, including leadership roles of project and change management; vendor/contract and enterprise information management; work design; process improvement; human resources management, training, and development; strategic and organizational management; financial management; and ethics.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

AAS.5107A (65-67 credits)
The AAS in health information technology at WNCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Students graduating from the program are eligible to take the national qualifying examination for certification as a registered health information technician (RHIT).

AHIMA’s domains and sub-domains for Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) can be found at ahima.org/certification/RHIT.

WNCC has an articulation agreement with Clarkson College, allowing a student who has earned an AAS to transfer credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration.

Notes:

• It is strongly recommended that students who wish to enroll in the HIT program consult with the program director prior to enrolling in classes for details of specific program requirements.
• Students must possess a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) or above on all previous college coursework and a 2.0 (C) must be earned on all HIT curriculum courses.
• An official copy of all applicants’ ACCUPLACER® or ACT assessment test scores must be sent to the Division of Health Services in Scottsbluff. A minimum level of basic skill knowledge is required prior to admission to the HIT program. In accordance with WNCC policy, students may be waived from ACCUPLACER® testing by verification of prior equivalent coursework. Students who do not meet minimum ACCUPLACER® score requirements must enroll in developmental coursework prior to starting the HIT Program.
• All courses are available online.
• Health Information Technology (HIMS) courses may only be taken two (2) times. A student may not re-enroll in the program after failing a course the second time. A grade of C-, WF, D or F is considered a failing grade for the Health Information Technology program.