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Career/Program Overview

RCTC offers three program options in Health Information Technology.  These include an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology, a Coding Specialist Certificate, and a Healthcare Informatics Certificate. 

Health Information Technicians analyze, secure, and maintain patient health information.  Other duties include: coding diagnoses, processing reimbursements, managing release of medical information, maintaining quality assurance, and protecting patient data privacy.

Coding Specialists are specifically trained in the coding of medical records.  By assigning the proper codes to diagnoses and procedures, financial reimbursement may be made correctly by insurance companies and government agencies.  Healthcare Informatics graduates are trained in the noncoding electronic aspects of health information.  Specifically these skills include: archiving, document scanning, data management, release of information, record completion, accreditation compliance, and quality assurance.  Visit us at http://www.rctc.edu/program/hit/.

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Some of the core courses required to complete the Health Information Technician degree include:  Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Pathophysiology, Microcomputer Applications, Voice Recognition, Coding and Reimbursement, Supervision of Health Information, Computerized Health Information, Health Record Systems, Legal Aspects of Health Information, Quality Analysis and Health Statistics, Alternative Health Record Systems and Internships. 

For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s program course requirements at  http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC offers a Coding Specialist 25-credit Certificate, a Healthcare Informatics 23-credit Certificate and the Health Information Technology 64-credit Associate in Applied Science degree.  Both certificates and the A.A.S. degree can be completed completely online. 

Program Start Date(s)

Students can start coursework any semester.  Some courses are only offered one semester so students are encouraged to plan ahead.

Career Opportunities/Information

Graduates may find work in quality assurance, computer information services, tumor registries, or release of medical information.  Some technicians are responsible for coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement while other technicians concentrate in patient data privacy rights and other ethical, legal and regulatory requirements.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health information management professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average (increase of 27% or higher) for all occupations through 2014.  On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await graduates.  New graduates with an associate’s degree can earn between $24,000 and $32,000 annually.  With advanced experience or a bachelor’s degree, salaries in the $40,000 - $75,000 range are possible. 

Articulations/Accreditations

The RCTC Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for  Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) in association with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission:  A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  The HIT program is also accredited as a quality online program by NCA. 

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html

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