Associate in Science - Health Information Technology

Program Description

The Associate in Science degree in Health Information Technology (HIT-AS) provides the student with the technical skills necessary to prepare, analyze, and maintain health information required by the patient, health facility and public.The program uses a combination of lecture, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction.

The Associate in Science degree in Health Information Technology includes the Technical Certificate in:

Health Care Informatics Specialist

Medical Information Coder/Biller

Program Information

This program is a limited access program, which means program admission and course registration are restricted to a limited number of students each semester due to accreditation requirements addressing student-faculty ratios and clinical resources. A student first will be admitted to Pensacola State College, and after satisfying all admission requirements for this program, the student is considered for admission to the HIT-AS  program.

The Associate in Science degree in Health Information Technology accepts 40 students each Fall and Spring semester.

The graduate of the program that is seeking to become a registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) are eligible to sit for the national qualifying examination offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Program Approval and Accreditation

The HIT-AS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Associate in Science degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030.

CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601;

Phone at 31.12.235.3255

https://www.cahiim.org/

Program Admission Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • College Application

When the student has met the program admission requirements, the student’s application is evaluated by the Office of Admissions.

Program Progression Requirements

Progression through the Associate in Science degree in Health Information Technology program requires the following:

:

  • A grade of C or higher in courses in the curriculum.
  • Satisfactory completion of clinical requirements which include the following
  • Level II FDLE background screen;
  • Urine drug screen;
  • Immunizations and Vaccines; and
  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Certification or American Red Cross Basic Life Support/CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification.

Program Completion Requirements

  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
  • Meet the academic residence requirement of completing at least 25% of the program with classes at Pensacola State College. 

Program Contact:

Dr. Mitzie Sowell

Department Head, Health Sciences

(850) 484-2308

msowell@pensacolastate.edu 

Degree Requirements

Term 1 (16 cc)

BSC 1080Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

3 cc

BSC 1080LEssentials of Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory

1 cc

HIM 1000CIntroduction to Health Information Management

3 cc

HSC 1531Medical Terminology

3 cc

CGS 1570Computer Concepts and Applications

3 cc

ENC 1101English Composition I

3 cc

See general education course list for general education course options.

Term 2 (14 cc)

HIM 1800Health Information Management Professional Practice I

2 cc

HIM 2214CHealth Data Management

3 cc

HIM 2229CIntroduction to Coding and Classification

3 cc

HSC 2641Health Care Law

3 cc

MAC 1105College Algebra

3 cc

 

Term 3 (16 cc)

HIM 2284CIntermediate Coding and Classification Systems

3 cc

HSC 2550Pathophysiology

3 cc

HIM 2512Health Information Management and Supervision

3 cc

HIM 2620Medical Statistics and Financial Applications

3 cc

HIM 2810CHealth Information Management Professional Practice II

2 cc

HIM 1442Pharmacology

2 cc

 

Term 4 (15 cc)

HIM 2253COutpatient Reimbursement Methodologies (CPT Coding)

3 cc

HIM 2285CAdvanced Coding and Classifications Systems

3 cc

HIM 2500CPerformance Improvement in Healthcare

2 cc

HIM 2653CMedical Informatics and Health Information Technologies

3 cc

HIM 2820LHealth Information Management Professional Practice III

2 cc

HIM 2932Special Topics in Health Information Management

2 cc

  • To be awarded the AS, students must complete nine credits of general education courses prior to graduation. Majority of students have met the general education requirements prior to entering the HIT program.     

 

Total Credit Hours: 70

.