Overview

Health information management (HIM) is a rapidly growing field that provides different career options. Formerly many graduates in the Health Information Technology (HIT) worked in acute care hospital medical record departments as coders or in other record management capacities. However, with the increased focus on healthcare research, electronic health records, protection of personal health records, data analysis and information technology, the profession continues to grow.

Today a Health information Technology graduate may be found working within the HIM department of an acute care hospital, long term care center, ambulatory care center or physician office. Roane State Community College HIT graduates have also found employment with software companies, attorney offices, tumor registries, managed care organizations, and consulting firms.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) conducted a survey in 2004 examining employment of HIM professionals in the United States . This survey reviewed current patterns and future prospects and may be viewed in its entirety at http://www.ahima.org/fore/professional/documents/Employment_WF.pdf.

Work Settings

Health Information Technicians work primarily in an office setting. However, some tasks, such as coding and tumor registry, may be performed at home through use of a secure Internet connection. Working from one’s home is however usually reserved for employees who have gained experience by working in the office for a period of time. There are also jobs available that permit a Health Information Technician to travel; these include consulting and software trainers. As technology advances, the work environment will continue to change for HIM professionals.

Credentialing Requirements

Upon successful completion of the Health Information Technology Program, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. Successful completion of the exam allows the graduate to use the RHIT credential. For more details on the RHIT exam process, please see the AHIMA website at http://www.ahima.org/certification/rhit.asp

Location

First year courses are taught on the Harriman campus at 276 Patton Lane, Harriman during the day and also at the Knox Center for Health Sciences at 132 Hayfield Lane in West Knoxville during evening hours. Second years courses are split between both of these campuses as well with some courses only taught during the day and others only taught in the evening. Some of the HIT courses are also taught via distance education utilizing the Internet and computer technology.

Accreditation

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

Costs

The cost of registration, textbooks, liability insurance, licensing examination fee, physical exam, student membership in AHIMA and background check average approximately $3,500 per year. Students are responsible for providing transportation to classes and assigned clinical practice sites and all expenses associated with travel. All expenses are subject to change.

Besides normal tuition & fees, other expenses include:

• Books: Contact the RSCC Bookstore for titles and prices
• Liability insurance: $30
• Physical Exam and immunizations
• Criminal background check (if required): $65
• Graduation Fee: $25
• RHIT exam fee: $205
• Student membership to AHIMA: $35

Steps to enroll at RSCC as a Health Information Technology Program Applicant

1. Submit an RSCC Admissions Application pay a one-time $20 application fee. Indicate on the application you are interested in the Health Information Technology Program.
2. Submit required proof of immunizations.
3. Submit OFFICIAL transcripts from all high schools or colleges you have attended to the Office of Records and Registration. An official transcript is one that is in an unopened sealed envelope from the high school or college.
4. If you are under 21, and have taken the ACT test within the last 3 years and your score on all parts is 19 or better, you will NOT be required to take the
   COMPASS placement test to determine if you need any remedial/developmental classes.
5. If you are over 21, you WILL be required to take the COMPASS test. The RSCC Counseling Center can tell you the times and locations where the tests will be given.
6. See your advisor to help you prepare a degree checklist. A list of required courses is also available above under the Forms link. Your advisor information can be found on Web-for-Students.
7. At this point you can begin completing any required remedial/development courses and/or General Education courses. Any required remedial/developmental courses must be completed before you can be considered for admission into the HIT program. Note, you must be accepted into the Health information Technology program before you can begin taking most classes with a HIT prefix.

Steps to be accepted into the RSCC Health Information Technology Program

• Apply for acceptance into the Health Information Technology Program by
  completing a Allied Health Sciences Application and submit it to the Health Sciences Admission Office before the program deadline date, the last working day in May.
• You must complete a minimum of 8 hours from the General Education courses or required Science courses listed in the Health Information Technology curriculum.
• Maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or greater on the general education courses required for the HIT program.
• Maintain a grade of “C”” in any required science courses.
• Only health information technology courses which were completed within three years prior to applying for admission or readmission will be considered for meeting degree requirements with the exception of the following courses which are open to any RSCC student: HIT107 Medical Terminology, HIT102 Fundamentals of Health Information Management and HIT113 Legal Aspects of Health Information

After the program deadline date, the Health Sciences Admissions Committee will review the applications and select students based on:

• Completed student file in the Records and Registration Office
• 8 hours of general education and/or required science courses required in the HIT program.
• Minimum 2.50 GPA.
• Completion of all required remedial/developmental courses.

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students meeting minimum criteria will be considered competitively based on the number of general education courses completed and their GPA. Preference

Students accepted into the program will be notified by letter in early June.