HC Campuses:  Big Spring  •  Lamesa  •  San Angelo  •  SWCID
Health Information Technology Print
Associate of Applied Science
Health Information Technology 		Campus Availability(AllBSL
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Health Information Technologists organize and evaluate medical records for completeness and accuracy.  This is one of the few health-related occupations in which there is little or no direct contact with patients.  Every time a patient receives health care, a record is maintained of the observations, medical or surgical interventions, and treatment outcomes.  It is crucial that their medical records comply with specific standards and to the legal and ethical requirements for keeping patient information confidential.transcribing charts

The Health Information Technology Program is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  The program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is fully credentialed by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIM) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association's Council on Accreditation (COA).

Program Requirements

Acceptance to the Health Information Technology Program is based on the following requirements which must be completed for applicants to be considered for the program.  Detailed information about all Health Professions programs and requirements may be found in the health Professions Booklet (distributed at a Health Professions Orientation).

  1. Attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation.  A schedule may be obtained by contacting the HCSA Health Professions Division at (325) 481-8371, ext. 3435,.  Orientations will also be announced on the HCSA homepage.
  2. Meet with the Program Director.
  3. Passing test scores from an approved college assessment exam are required to gain entrance into academic courses.  If needed, HC administers the ACCUPLACER exam.  The testing schedule is posted on the HCSA campus website or may be obtained by contacting Student Life & Testing at (325) 481-8300, ext. 244 or Student Services (325) 481-8354.
  4. Provide proof of required immunizations (meet with the Program Director for additional information).
  5. Successful completion of a criminal background check prior to being accepted into the program.
  6. Submit a Health Professions Application for the desired program to the HCSA Health Professions Division along with an official transcript indicating high school graduation or proof of GED and an official transcript from each college/university attended including Howard College.

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Course Curriculum

HITT 2260 Clinical 
Course Description:  A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts.  Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.
End of Course Outcomes:  As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.
                      
HITT 1249 Pharmacology
Course Description:  Overview of the basic concepts of the pharmacological treatment of various diseases affecting major body systems.
End of Course Outcomes:  Identify the drugs associated with the treatment process; and examine drug therapy, dosages, actions, and drug administration routes.
                          
HITT 1253 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information
Course Description:  Concepts of privacy, security, confidentiality, ethics, health care legislation, and regulations relating to the maintenance and use of health information.
End of Course Outcomes:  Apply local, state, and federal standards and regulations for the control and use of health information; demonstrate appropriate health information disclosure practices; and identify and discuss ethical issues in health care.
                                           
HITT 1255 Health Care Statistics
Course Description:  Principles of health care statistics with emphasis in hospital statistics.  Skill development in computation and calculation of health data.
End of Course Outcomes:  Prepare statistical reports to support healthcare information and departrment operations and services; formulate statistics that meet medical and administrative reporting needs and requirements of government regulatory and voluntary agencies; and analyze health care statistics, vital statistics, descriptive statistics, data validity, and reliability; assess methods of health care data; and utilize appropriate methods of data display.
                                                                                                                  
HITT 1301 Health Data Content and Structure
Course Description:  Introduction to systems and processes for collecting, maintaining, and disseminating primary and secondary health related information including content of health record, documentation requirements, registries, indices, licensing, regulatory agencies, forms, and screens.
End of Course Outcomes:  Analyze health record content; describe health information management department function and purpose; differentiate the various types of health care facilities and their records; and identify the various licensing and regulatory agencies in the healthcare industry.
                                              
HITT 1311 Computers in Health Care
Course Description:  Concepts of computer technology related to health care data.
End of Course Outcomes:  Utilize the tools and techniques for collecting, storing, securing, retrieving, and reporting health care data.
                
HITT 1345 Health Care Delivery systems
Course Description:  Introduction to organization, financing, and delivery of health care services, accreditation, licensure, and regulatory agencies.
End of Course outcomes:  Identify components and functions of multiple health care delivery systems to include accreditation, licensure, regulatory, payment, and reimbursement systems; describe routine institutional statistics; analyze and interpret health care data; prepare health care data for presentation purposes; and discuss reliability and validity of health care data.
                       
HITT 1441 Coding and Classification Systems
Course Description:  Basic coding rules, conventions, and guidelines using clinical classification systems.
End of Course Outcomes:  Apply nomenclatures and classification systems and assign codes.
                                        
HITT 2261 Clinical
Course Description:  A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts.  Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.
End of Course Outcomes:  As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.
                                                  
HITT 2231 Medical Terminology - Advanced
Course Description:  Study of advanced terminology in various medical and surgical specialties.
End of Course Outcomes:  Identify, spell, and pronounce advanced medical terms; use advanced medical terms in context; construct and analyze advanced medical terms; and use medical references as resource tools.
                                                                      
HITT 2239 Health Information Organization and Supervision
Course description:  Principles of organization and supervision of human, financial, and physical resources.
End of Course Outcomes:  Coordinate the utilization of internal and external resources; and develop and/or improve problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership and decision-making skills, and team building techniques.
                                                     
HITT 2340 Advanced Medical Billing and Reimbursement
Course Description:  Study of coding skills to prepare reimbursement forms in various health care settings for submisssion to payors.
End of Course Outcomes:  Code health records usig various classification systems; prepare and execute reimbursement forms; and apply revenue cycle management procedures.
                                                         
HITT 2343 Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement
Course Description:  Study of quality standards and methodologies in the health information management environment.  Topics include licensing, accreditation, compilation and presentation of data in statistical formats, quality management and performance improvement functions, utilization management, risk management, and medical staff data quality issues.
End of Course Outcomes:  Monitor compliance with governmental and organizational regulations and accreditation standards; implement tools and methods for quality assessment and improvement; identify potential risk management issues; coordinate utilization and resource management functions; and assist in medical staff quality improvement functions.
                                                                       
HITT 2345 Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies
Course Description:  Advanced coding techniques with emphasis on case studies, health records, and federal regulations regarding prospective payment systems and methods of reimbursement.
End of Course Outcomes:  Sequence codes according to established guidelines and standards; and apply reimbursement methodologies.
                                                                  
HPRS 1206 Essentials of Medical Terminology
Course Description:  A study of medical terminology, word origin, structure, and application.
End of Course Outcomes:  Define, pronounce, and spell medical terms with the use of medical references as resource tools; use terms in context; build and analyze medical terms; examine word origin and structure through the introduction of prefixes, suffixes, root words, plurals, abbreviations and symbols.
                                                                                   
HPRS 2301 Pathophysiology
Course Description:  Study of the pathology and general health management of diseases and injuries across the life span.  Topics include etiology, symptoms, and the physical and psychological reactions to diseases and injuries.
End of Course Outcomes:  Distinguish environmental factors, physical, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics of various diseases and conditions; and identify implications of therapeutic interventions for diseases and conditions. 
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Contacts

Program Director

San Angelo Campus 
Gary Owen
Program Director
(325) 481-8371, ext. 3440
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email 
 

Department Contacts 

San Angelo Campus 
Jennifer Cedillo
Assistant to Health Professions Division 
(325) 481-8371, ext. 3435 
(325) 481-8373 - Fax 
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email 

 

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