Health Information Technology, A.A.S.

Amy Cunningham, Health Information Technology Program Coordinator
116K Advanced Technology Center/ (304)367-4764
Amy.Cunningham@pierpont.edu

Accrediting Agency

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100 
Chicago, IL 60601-5119
www.cahiim.org

Program Purpose

The A.A.S. Health Information Technology Degree provides training in the skills needed to be effective in maintaining health information. Such documentation assists in ensuring the continuity of care and protects the financial and legal interests of the patient, the health care facility, and the responsible practitioner caring for the patient.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Health Information Technology, A.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Health Sciences: Health Information Technology” as their educational goal on their application.
   2. Current students will need to complete a Change of Major form and select “Health Information Technology (AAS)” as their requested major.

Qualified students are accepted until capacity is met.

*Students can begin the program in the fall semester.

Program Requirements

• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Students must complete each course in the Health Information Technology model schedule with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA to remain in the program.  Students who receive a “D” or “F” in a course must repeat the course before continuing in the program’s course sequence.  If students receive two such grades in the same course, they will be removed from the program.   

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Health Information Technology, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Collect, maintain, and analyze health data structure and content and be familiar with healthcare data standards and requirements
• Apply and validate clinical classification systems and support reimbursement methodologies
• Collect, organize and present healthcare statistics
• Participate and comply in quality assessment and performance issues, and healthcare delivery systems
• Implement, maintain and demonstrate healthcare compliance, confidentiality, ethical, legal and privacy issues
• Utilize and protect health information and communication technologies
• Design, maintain, and utilize health data, storage, security, and retrieval
• Develop, apply, and participate in human resource management, and financial and physical resources
• Demonstrate professional behavior through attendance, promptness, and ability to assume appropriate responsibility

Opportunities

Graduates with the Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology are qualified for entry level positions as Health Information Technicians. After graduation from the program, the graduate is qualified to take the National Accreditation Examination for Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).