AS, Health Information Technology | CIP 1351070700

The mission of the Health Information Technology (HIT) Program at Florida SouthWestern State College is to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and qualities needed to fill the diverse roles in the health information management field and to develop the attitudes and principles which will encourage continuing growth in the Health Information Profession.

Program Overview

The Associate in Science Health Information Technology (HIT) degree will give students the skills and knowledge to perform health information management duties in multiple healthcare settings. Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as health information professionals and to become credentialed as Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) after successful completion of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) national certification exam. Health information professionals, a STEM profession, play a critical role in collecting, analyzing, and protecting the data that doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals rely on to deliver quality health care. Health information professionals are the connection between clinical care, business, and information systems within a healthcare organization.

The Florida SouthWestern State College Health Information Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Associate of Science degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 3032. 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) 235-2355; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

CAHIIM is the accrediting organization for degree-granting programs in health information management, health informatics, and health sciences as well as various healthcare certificates. CAHIIM serves the public interest by establishing effective and consistent quality standards for the monitoring of academic degree programs. Being a CAHIIM-accredited program means that the program has voluntarily undergone a rigorous review process and has been determined to meet or exceed the accreditation standards.

Program Outcomes 2022 - 2023

The following information represents Program Outcomes as they pertain to graduation rate, gainful employment in the field of Health Information Management, and student retention rate:

RHIT Exam First-Time Pass Rate: 86% (National 80%) Graduation Rate: 100% Employment Rate: 50% (6 months post-graduation) Student Retention Rate: 72%

Professional Associations:

• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• Florida Health Information Management Association (FHIMA)
• Southwest Florida Health Information Management Association (SWFHIMA)

Program Admission Information

Admission to the Health Information Technology, AS program is selective and based on the following criteria.

To be considered for acceptance, students must:

• Be admitted to FSW.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for all college credit.
• Complete the Health Information Technology, AS program application.
• Complete and pass a college-approved criminal background check and drug testing at the applicant’s expense.

Upon acceptance into the program, students must meet with the School of Health Professions student advisor before enrolling in classes.

After acceptance to the program and before enrollment in the internship courses (HIM 2814C and HIM 2940), students must provide the following:

• Provide a current (within 12 months) college-approved criminal background check and urine drug testing at the applicant’s expense.
• Provide documentation of a health physical and functional evaluation from a healthcare provider including all required immunizations.
• Provide evidence of tuberculosis (TB) screening.
• Provide proof of personal health insurance.
• Provide evidence of current Basic Life Support Provider Certification (CPR and AED).

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Learn more about the CCS certification at https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/ccs/.

Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Learn more about the CCS certification at https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/ccs-p/.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is offered by AAPC. Learn more about the CPC certification at https://www.aapc.com/certifications/cpc, and AAPC at https://www.aapc.com/.

Other Occupations/Job Titles:

HIM Manager Coding Supervisor Clinical Data Manager Insurance Claims Specialist Medical Coding Specialist EHR Support Specialist Release of Information Specialist Medical Office Manager Health Informatics Specialist Health Data Analyst

Curriculum Sequence, Health Information Technology, AS - 70 Credits

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 70 credit hours that includes 20 credit hours of General Education Requirements and 50 credit hours of Health Information Technology (HIT) Program Requirements. The program can be completed in 5 semesters by college-ready students (i.e., completed all developmental coursework). Students should progress through the HIT program as a cohort and courses must be taken in sequence which includes a summer semester. Withdrawing from a course will result in a delay in the completion of the program. HIT courses are only offered one time per academic year.