Health Information Technology

Associate in Science Degree _{(CIP# 1351070700)}

Limited-Access

This program is designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of healthcare settings. Although medical records and health information technologists do not provide direct patient care, they work regularly with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Health information technologists organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories. Health information technologists can specialize in many aspects of health information. Some careers in Health IT are: Technical and IT security specialist, project manager, corporate health information director, application and implementation specialist, systems analyst, data analyst, system architect, interface expert, and data quality manager. Most work as medical coders, sometimes called coding specialists, or as cancer registrars. Some of the major employment sectors for health information technology professionals are hospitals, clinics, schools, consulting firms, insurance companies, healthcare associations, pharmaceutical companies, and public healthcare organizations. Other primary employment sectors are nursing homes, doctors’ offices, rehabilitation centers, government agencies, and bio-tech companies.

Graduates are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association.

College Admission Requirements:

• Review the general admission requirements for Health Sciences programs in the Admissions section of the Valencia College catalog.
• Submit a completed Valencia Associate Degree Application for Admission; satisfy the requirements for degree seeking students and be in active student status.
• Satisfy the college entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, Professions of Caring (HSC 1004) for students pending acceptance to a health sciences program, or New Student Experience (SLS 1122), mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which you are placed.
• Complete all Health Information Technology Prerequisite courses for admission with a minimum grade of “C”.
• Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5* (including transfer work). NOTE: Transfer students with completed coursework at Valencia College also need to have a minimum institutional/Valencia GPA of 2.0 at the time of applying (in addition to the minimum overall college GPA of 2.5)
  *Beginning in the 2020-21 academic year, students must have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.0.
• Submit the completed Valencia Health Information Technology Program application with the application fee.

Program Information

• The identified courses in the program curriculum include all courses that are required for the Health Information Technology A.S. degree. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in all courses in the program curriculum, including perquisite courses required for admission.
• The courses in the curriculum are progressive in nature, with one course building on the preceding course. Because of this progressive relationship, all courses in a term must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” in order to continue to the next term. If a student achieves less than a “C” or withdraws from any course that is required for the Health Information Technology A.S. degree, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.
• Students are strongly encouraged to consult their campus based Student Success Coach for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Note:

• All accepted applicants are required to submit application through Valencia for a criminal background check and drug testing. Applicants for Valencia’s Health Sciences programs must be free of offenses that would disqualify them from a student clinical experience in a healthcare setting and must have their civil rights intact. This procedure is in response to requirements by clinical agencies and state/federal regulations.
• Estimated program expenses are given in the Financial section of the Valencia College catalog.

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, Professions of Caring (HSC 1004) for students pending acceptance to a health sciences program, or New Student Experience (SLS 1122), and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab.

For course sequencing recommendations, see your campus based Student Success Coach or access the Course Planning Guide on the Health Sciences webpage https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/health-information-technology/

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

Graduates of specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia’s award of credit options, visit https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/credit-industry-certification-agreements.php. Eligible students should contact the Student Success Coach in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.

Technical Certificate

The Health Information Technology A.S. degree also offers the Medical Information Coder/Biller Technical Certificate (TC).  The TC can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. It is designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most TC's can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the TC are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the TC as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the Medical Information Coder/Biller TC.

• Medical Information Coder/Biller (37 credits) (CIP # 0351071400)

Potential Careers

• Health Information Technician
• Medical Records Technician

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.

Contacts

Future Students

To learn more information about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-1507 or visit https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/health-information-technology/

Current Students

Active Valencia students who are pending program acceptance may meet with the pending Student Success Coach in the campus Student Services department. For Information Sessions, Admission Guides, Program Applications, and the most updated information, visit the website at: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/index.php Accepted, in-program students will meet with their assigned Student Success Coach after confirming acceptance.

Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach. 

 Program Outcomes

• Perform entry level skills competently as described by the scope of practice for Health Information Technology.
• Integrate oral and written communication to coordinate accurate and safe patient care.
• Practice professional behaviors within a healthcare setting.
• Execute critical thinking and problem solving skills within the healthcare setting.

+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

This course has a prerequisite or co-requisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

~

This is a general education course.

Notes:

Specialized program courses may not be offered every session.

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals.

Medical Information Coder/Biller  

Technical Certificate

This Technical Certificate (TC) prepares students for entry-level employment as medical coders and health insurance specialists. The medical coder is responsible for assigning correct diagnostic and procedural codes to medical documentation from patients’ medical records to ensure appropriate medical insurance reimbursement and compliance. The Medical Information Coder/Biller program content is comprehensive, covering both inpatient and outpatient coding and documentation principles. Coding and Billing professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies and home care providers.  Gainful Employment Information

Program Requirements:

The Medical Information Coder/Biller is an open-entry program with courses offered online. Students may start the program any semester, however, core courses may not be offered every term. It is recommended that before starting the Technical Certificate (TC) that students meet with a Student Success Coach to discuss placement into core courses. In order to complete the TC in four semesters, it is recommended to start in the fall or spring term. The credits in this certificate program apply toward the Health Information Technology Associate of Science Degree.

Program Outcomes

•   Perform entry level skills competently as described by the scope of practice for Health Information Technology.

+

 This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.  Students transferring to UCF bachelors degree program take HSC 1531.

*

This course has a prerequisite; check the description in the Valencia catalog

¹

 Students transferring to UCF take HSC 1531, and CGS 1060C or CGS 2100C.