65 credits minimum

Program Division: Allied Health
Program Location: Jordan Campus, JHS Building, Room 059
General Information: 801-957-7522
Program Information: 801-957-6009
Program Website: http://www.slcc.edu/hit/index.aspx
Academic Advisor: Jordan Campus, JHS 047, 801-957-6215

Program Faculty:
Instructors - Kristy Conlin, Diana Carroll, Jana Tucker, Ruben Rocha, Amy Wilson, Janalynne Thorley, Wayne Larson, Diane Robinson

Program Description: The program will train students in medical records and health information technology managing patients’ health information to include medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services. The program will expose students to the use of electronic health records/electronic medical records (EHR/EMR), computer software, EHR security, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information, maintain data on patient safety, patterns of disease, disease treatment and outcome, and meaningful use protocols. The program will incorporate medical coding, including the new ICD 10 protocols, database and medical records management. The program will introduce students to the emerging technology field in healthcare and the program will prepare students to enter the workforce or continue on to a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or health information technology or management.

The Registered Health Information Technician exam can be completed by program graduates (National Commission for Certifying Agencies [NCCA] and American Health Information Management Association [AHIMA]). The proposed courses and design of curriculum align with the AHIMA standards and Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management Education {CAHIIM} standards.

The program will apply for candidacy by the CAHIIM in 2014.

Career Opportunities: According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and Utah Department of Workforce Services, employment is expected to grow 21% which is faster than average and job prospects should be very good and much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Technicians with a strong understanding of technology and computer software will be in particularly high demand. With the increasing use of electronic health records, more technicians will be needed to complete the new responsibilities associated with electronic data management, interoperability and data extraction.

Transfer/Articulation Information: The transfer and articulation agreements are being pursued with compatible programs at USHE institution Weber State University, Utah State University, and with Western Governors University. This program is designed for students to acquire knowledge and skills to successfully pass exam/licensure and continue further education with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Program Entry Requirements:

Admissions Process

1. If not a current SLCC student or attended in past two years, apply for college admission as a matriculated degree-seeking student.
2. High School Graduate of equivalent.
3. For transfer credit, submit OFFICIAL, SEALED transcripts for ALL colleges and universities where prerequisite course work has been completed. Send to:

SLCC Office of the Registrar and Academic Records
4600 South Redwood Road
P.O Box 30808
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808

4. Also, a request to have an OFFICIAL evaluation of student’s transcript must be submitted to the SLCC Transfer Evaluation Office. The form is located at www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/transferring-to-slcc. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s SLCC application will be considered.
5. Complete Accuplacer exam, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC, (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and RDG/WRETG courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing/
6. Submit completed application and required documentation to the Health Sciences Admissions Office, according to dates listed below.
7. Students transferring from the HIT certificate program will be able to apply the courses to the Applied Associate of Science degree. Please see the Academic Advisor for the specifics.

Applications Requirements

1. Complete Application Packet for Program.
2. Proof of Immunizations; include in application packet.
3. Background check through SLCC’s authorized vendor; provide confirmation number on application.

Note: See program website for detailed information http://www.slcc.edu/hit

Immunization / Drug Testing / Background Requirements

• Annual Influenza Vaccination
• PPD (tuberculosis skin test)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Hepatitis B vaccination series
• Hepatitis A vaccination series
• Drug Testing
• Completed Criminal Background via SLCC vendor

Estimated Cost for Students: Tuition per semester: www.slcc.edu/students-future/tuition-fees Costs outside tuition vary but may include but are not limited to: text books, travel associated with Externship.

Estimated Time to Completion: The AAS HIT Program is four semesters in length with each new cohort beginning in the Fall OR Spring semester. Prerequisite courses are not included in the four semesters.

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
Health Records and Data Content 1. Collect and maintain health data. 2. Analyze health records to ensure that documentation supports the patient’s diagnosis and procedures, and reflects progress, clinical findings, and discharge status. 3. Select patient-specific documentation from other sources. 4. Apply clinical vocabularies and terminologies used in the organization’s health information systems.	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 4 - Think Critically and Creatively 7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy
Health Information Requirements and Standards 1. Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the patient record as defined by organizational policy and external regulations and standards. 2. Assess compliance with organization-wide health record documentation guidelines. 3. Report compliance finding according to organization policy. 4. Operate in preparing the organization for accreditation, licensing and/or certification surveys.	2 - Communicate Effectively 6 - Work Professionally and Constructively
Clinical Classification Systems 1. Employ electronic applications to support clinical classification and coding (for example, encoders). 2. Recognize diagnosis procedures codes using ICD-9-CM official coding guidelines. a. Recognize principal diagnosis (Inpatient) or first listed diagnosis (Outpatient). b. Recognize secondary diagnosis (es), including complications and comorbidities (CC). c. Recognize principal and secondary procedure(s). 3. Recognize procedure codes using CPT coding guidelines. 4. Recognize appropriate HCPCS codes. 5. Identify discrepancies between coded data and supporting documentation. 6. Consult reference materials to facilitate code assignment.	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 3 - Develop Quantitative Literacy 7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy
Reimbursement Methodologies 1. Validate the data collected for appropriate reimbursement. a. Validate Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). b. Validate Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs). 2. Comply with the National Correct Coding Initiative. 3. Validate the National and Local Coverage Determinations (NDC/LDC) for medical necessity.	3 - Develop Quantitative Literacy 4 - Think Critically and Creatively 7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy
Information and Communication Technologies 1. Employ computer to ensure data collection, storage, analysis and reporting of information. 2. Employ common software applications (for example, word processing; spreadsheets; e- mail) in the execution of work processes. 3. Employ specialized software in the completion of HI processes.	7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy
Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal, and Ethical Issues 1. Apply policies and procedures for access and disclosure of personal health information. 2. Evaluate and release patient-specific data to authorized individuals. 3. Apply ethical standards of practice. 4. Define and report privacy issues/problems. 5. Appraise data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology.	2 - Communicate Effectively 5 - Civic Engagement and/or Working Professionally