Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology students learn skills to handle the technical aspects of patient health records such as coding, reimbursement, research, system design, and quality management within healthcare organizations. 

The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills to process, analyze, manage, and report health information. Students will learn how to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals through mandatory clinical rotations in healthcare settings. The program will also prepare students for the successful completion of the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) exam.

Accreditation

CAHIIM logoThe Health Information Management accreditor of Guilford Technical Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 E. Randolph St., Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Credentialing Options

Health Information Technology, AAS - CIP Code: 51.0707

A 45 36 0 

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 50200

The Health Information Technology program prepares students for careers in health information management, which includes organizing, managing, and analyzing, medical records. Students learn about patient information management, revenue cycle reimbursement. Students will also learn how to collect, interpret, and analyze patient data, and how to ensure HIPAA compliance when communicating information related to healthcare operations.

Upon completion, students are prepared to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. Other coursework includes biology (anatomy and physiology and pathology of diseases), medical terminology, procedure and diagnostic coding for inpatient facilities, and MS Office applications, Students will also improve and enhance their employability skills, i.e., verbal and written communication, critical thinking, team building; and problem solving.

Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities that focus on electronic health records management and analysis in outpatient and inpatient facilities, assisted living and long-term care facilities.

Position titles students may find include (but not limited to):

  • Release of Information Specialist
  • HIM Credentialed Coder
  • Health Information Management Technician
  • Electronic Medical Records Specialist

Upon successful completion of the Health Information Technology program, the graduate should be able to:

  • Apply policies, regulations, and standards to the management of health information.
  • Utilize classification systems and clinical vocabularies for the management of health information.
  • Adhere to official guidelines in the assignment of diagnostic and procedural coding.
  • Utilize health information management systems.
  • Communicate and collaborate as evidence of team building.

Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of Guilford Technical Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for Associates degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235- 3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.  

This degree can be completed in a hybrid (BIO 163 traditional and blended options) format . 

Admission Requirements

Students must demonstrate English and mathematics "college readiness" levels, via college-level English/math courses or by completion of or waiver credit for specified "transition" or co-requisite courses.

Progression Requirements

A student must earn a grade of "C" or better in all HIT, BIO, and OST prefix courses in order to progress in the program. Additionally, the HIT program is designed to be a full-time attendance program and is a "locked-step" program. This means the courses must be taken in the order and in the semester described in the layout provided below. Earning less than a C or withdrawing for any course will cause significant delays in progression and completion of the program.

Clinical Clearance Requirements

A criminal background check, drug screen, and up-to-date immunizations are required by the clinical site prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility denies a student's participation in clinical experiences in that clinical agency, the student will not be able to progress in the program.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 17

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 16

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 6

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 14

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 13

Total credit hours required for degree: 65

Electives

1. Communications Electives

Choose one course from:

2. Social/Behavioral Science Elective

Choose one course from:

Close

Program Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate: 38% of students graduated from the HIT program between spring 2020 and spring 2022.
  • 100% of graduates passed the RHIT exam on the first attempt during the 08/01/2021-07/31/2022 time frame. (Percentage reflects most recently provided results.)
  • Employment Rate: 100% of HIT graduates from Spring 2022 are employed in the healthcare industry*.
  • Student Satisfaction Rate: 100% of Health Information Technology (HIT) students reported satisfaction with the HIT Program*.

*Data is available only if a student reports back or completes the graduation survey.

 HIT graduation rates for 2020-21 are 100 percent

 Lifetime earnings of a program completer compared to a high school graduate: Completer just over $35,000; high school graduate just over $20,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Carol Dantzler-Harris, Instructor

Yes. Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822, option 3.

No. Although some of the required courses are offered in an online format, the entire program cannot be completed online at this time.

 

The RHIT certification (Registered Health Information Technician) through AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) is a nationally recognized certification for individuals in health information management. This includes inpatient (hospital) coding, reimbursement, data analysis, and other HIM topics.

Eligibility requirements for this exam are:

  • Successful completion of an associate’s degree in Health Information Technology that is accredited by the CAHIIM

Visit www.ahima.org for more details.

Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations and has an impact on revenue and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.

Yes. To learn the art of coding, students are required to buy the following coding manuals in addition to their standard textbooks: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS. These books are used in multiple courses and may also be used when taking the CPC® exam, should the student choose to do so. Students are also required to buy clinical uniforms (medical scrubs) as part of their program completion requirements.

Yes. Graduates may receive additional specialist credentials such as AHIMA's Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and/or Certified Coding Specialist-Physician based (CCS-P). Both are designed to further prepare individuals to become experts in the field of coding and often provide opportunities for hire in higher-level coding positions.

Visit www.ahima.org for more details.

Courses are available, in which these certification exams can be completed at GTCC, or the exams can be completed through Certiport®. Please speak to your advisor for more information.