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. High School or College Biology with a lab - minimum grade of 75%
3. Medical Terminology - minimum grades of "C" or 2.0
   
4. Keyboarding experience.

Minimum Degree Requirements:

1. A total of at least 78/80 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0

2. Core Curriculum Requirements:
   Humanities (EN101 or EN102 by placement)                                                                Literature Elective (3 credits)                                                                                   Mathematics (MA111 or MA107/PH107)
   Natural Science* (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L, BIO140, BIO233)
   Philosophy/Religious Studies Elective and PH205*
   Social Science Electives (6 credits)
   College Seminar (GS100) or College Success (GS102)
   

3. Program Requirements:*
   HIT101, HIT103, HIT104, HIT200, HIT202, HIT204, HIT208, HIT209, HIT215, HIT216, HIT217
   

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

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

First Year - First Semester

BIO 130/130L Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab

GS 100 College Seminar or GS 102 College Success

HIT 101 Introduction to Health Information Science

MB 265 Insurance & Reimbursement Proc.

BIO 131/131L Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab

BU 132 Information Technology I

HIT 103 Health Information Systems
HIT 104 Legal Aspects of Health Information Technology
MA 111 College Algebra and Statistics or MA 107/PH 107 Logical Reasoning & Decision Making

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

Philosophy/Religious Studies Elective

Second Year - First Semester

EN 101 English Composition or EN 200 Advanced Composition (by placement)

HIT 202 Health Data Analysis

HIT 204 Diagnosis Coding
HIT 208 Quality Assurance & Improvement

HIT 216 Procedure Coding

BIO 140 Introduction to Pharmacology

BU 207 Introduction to Management

HIT 215 Health Information in Alternate Settings

HIT 217 Coding Seminar
PH 205 Ethics in Health Care
Social Science Elective

HIT 209 Coding Professional Practice
Literature Elective
Social Science Elective

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.