ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.)
(Formerly Medical Record Technology)
(HEGIS Code Number 5213)
Program Director: Laurie J. Rivet
(716) 827-2561
Room 350

A career in Health Information Technology is a combination of health care, business and information technology. Health Information Technicians collect, organize, analyze, and review patient information for completeness and accuracy. They compile statistics for health information indices, disease registries, and research studies and assign codes to diseases, procedures, and supplies for billing purposes. Using storage and retrieval systems, Health Information Technicians input and retrieve of computerized health data and manage the release of health information.

Potential Work Sites:

Professionals in this field work wherever health information is collected, organized and analyzed including:

• Hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, home health agencies, and ambulatory care clinics, etc.

• Insurance companies and HMOs

• Research and Government Agencies

• Accounting, legal and consulting firms
  

Internships:

Students build competencies in two Professional Practice experiences (internships): one in the Health Information Management department of an acute care hospital or alternate health care setting; and the other in a coding department of a hospital. These non-paid, "hands-on" internships are 120 hours long and completed during regular business hours. Students are given the opportunity to continue their education and practice their skills in a realistic environment. Transportation to and from the internship is the responsibility of the student.

All Health Information Technology courses are offered in the evening, thus supporting the working professional in their quest to enhance their career options. Since Health Information Management departments are generally only open during regular business hours, students will be required to complete their Professional Practice experiences one or more days of the normal work week. Every effort is made to accommodate students' work schedules so they will be able to complete the required hours. While intended to prepare individuals for immediate employment, this program is also appropriate for transfer to a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management. Trocaire College has a articulation agreement with SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica, New York. They have agreed to accept credits from the Health Information Technology program toward their online Bachelor's degree.

Accreditation:

The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Certification:

Graduates may apply to write the national certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Upon passing this exam, the individual earns the credential of Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Students may also apply to write coding certification exams offered by AHIMA's and the American Academy of Professional Coders.

Admission Requirements:

1. High School diploma (minimum 80% average) or GED diploma with a minimum score of 2625
   
2. Biology and keyboarding experience.
3. 2.0 semester average with minimum grades of "C" in laboratory sciences for current and transfer students.
   

Minimum Degree Requirements:

1. A total of at least 74 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0

2. Core Curriculum Requirements:
   Humanities (EN101, EN102)
   Natural Science* (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L, BIO140, BIO233)
   Philosophy (PH103, PH205)
   Social Science (PSY101 and SOC101)
   College Seminar (GS100) or College Success (GS102) - minimum C+ grade required
   

3. Program Requirements:*
   HIT101, HIT102, HIT105, HIT106, HIT200, HIT202,
   HIT208, HIT209, HIT213, HIT214

4. Other Requirements:*
   BU207, BU132, MB119, MB265

* A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) is required.

First Year - First Semester
HIT 101 Introduction to Health Information Science
GS 100 College Seminar or GS 102 College Success
BU 132 Information Technology I
MB 119 Medical Terminology
BIO 130/130L Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab

First Year - Second Semester
HIT 213 Health Information Systems
HIT 214 Legal Aspects of Health Information
EN 101 English Composition
PSY 101 General Psychology
BIO 131/131L Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab

First Year - Summer Session
HIT 200 Intro to Health Information Management & Professional Practice
BIO 233 Pathophysiology

Second Year - First Semester
HIT 106 Procedure Coding
HIT 202 Health Data Analysis
HIT 208 Quality Assurance & Improvement
MB 265 Insurance & Reimbursement Proc.
PH 103 Introduction to Philosophy

Second Year - Second Semester
HIT 102 Diagnosis Coding
HIT 105 Health Information in Alternate Settings
PH 205 Ethics in Healthcare
BU 207 Introduction to Management
BIO 140 Introduction to Pharmacology

Second Year - Summer Session
HIT 209 Coding Professional Practice
EN 102 Introduction to Literature
SOC 101 Principles of Sociology

Would you like more information on this or other programs? Fill out our Information Request Form or call 716-826-1200. Requests by mail may be sent to Trocaire College, Office of Admissions, 360 Choate Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220 or email us at Trocaire College. Please indicate your name, mailing address (including zip code), phone number and the program you are interested in.