Certificate of Completion | 43 credits minimum
Allied Health Division
Jordan Campus JCHSC
Program Information (801) 957-6215
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising
Academic Advising Jordan Campus, JHS 047, (801) 957- 6407
Health Science Admissions JHS 047, (801) 957-6253
Program Description
The program will train students in medical records and health information covering assembling 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 (EHR/EMR), computer software, EHR security, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information, maintain data on patient safety, patterns of disease, and disease treatment and outcome. The program’s focus will incorporate medical coding, including the new ICD 10 protocols and procedures that specializing in codifying patients’ medical information for reimbursement purposes.
The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam can be completed by program graduates through American Health Information Management Association [AHIMA]. The proposed courses and design of curriculum align with the AHIMA standards and CAHIIM standards.
“The CCA credential distinguishes coders by exhibiting commitment and demonstrating coding competencies across all settings, including both hospitals and physician practices” (AHIMA).
Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and Utah Department of Workforce Services, employment is expected to grow 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. Employment growth will result from the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be performed. In addition, with the increasing use of electronic health records, more technicians will be needed to complete the new responsibilities associated with electronic data management.
Transfer/Articulation Information
The transfer and articulation agreements will be pursued with compatible programs at USHE institutions. This program is designed for students to acquire knowledge and skills to successfully pass exam/licensure. An AS degree is not required, but students seeking an advanced degree may seek the advice of an academic advisor.
Program Entry Requirements
Admission Process
- Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student. See www.slcc.edu/students-future/admissions
- High School Graduate or equivalent.
- 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
- 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 http://www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/transferring-to-slcc.aspx. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s application will be considered.
- 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/WRTG courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing
- Program course prerequisites are as follows:
- Placement into MATH 0980 within one year.
- Placement into ENGL 1010 within two years.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
See the Health Information Technology webpage for essential information regarding completion of program application and additional application requirements http://www.slcc.edu/hit/index.aspx. Completion of the prerequisites allows students to apply to the program. Application submission does not guarantee admission to the program. Students should see the Health Information Technology academic advisor.
AP courses - We will accept an AP score of 3 or higher for a prerequisite for admission into the program. However, this does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Please see the Health Information Technology academic advisor.
Preparation Note
Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the degree. Placement testing for English and Math must be done upon entry to the College unless students have had prior college-level experience. Prerequisites may be met through higher-level courses, transfer credit, Advanced Placement (AP) credit or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit.
To graduate from the program the student must meet the program admission criteria as outlined above, receive a C grade or better in each required program course and complete the following General Education courses with a C grade or better.
Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition: see www.slcc.edu/students-future/tuition-fees for rates per semester.
Estimated Time to Completion
If students follow the suggested schedule, time to completion is three semesters.
| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes |
| |
1 - Acquire substantive knowledge
2 - Communicate effectively
3 - Develop quantitative literacies
4 - Think critically & creatively
5 - Become a community engaged learner
6 - Work in professional & constructive manner
7 - Develop computer & information literacy |
1. Assign diagnosis and procedure codes using ICD-10-CM/PCS. Assign procedure codes using CPT/HCPCS. Assign procedure codes using ICD-9-CM
2. Access and evaluate the EHR: An electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one health care organization.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of a Health Information Exchange: The electronic movement of health-related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of Information Technology as it relates to Healthcare Delivery
5. Demonstrate ability to protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology and use spreadsheets, databases, word processing, graphics, presentation, statistical, e-mail) .
6. Demonstrate an understanding of a Health Information Organization (Regional).
7. Describe and evaluate emerging technologies in coding: CAC, Voice Recognition, coding from the EHR, reading imaged documents. |
1 - Substantive Knowledge
7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy |
| 1. Demonstrate the ability to interact in a medical environment and use proper industry terminology for health care environments. |
2 - Communicate Effectively
6 - Work Professionally and Constructively |
1. Summarize Healthcare institution’s billing process and/or revenue cycle process
2. Summarize and identify budget information about health care institutions.
3. Summarize information about major health care reimbursement plans. |
3 - Develop Quantitative Literacy
7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy |
1. Evaluate the role of Information Technology as it relates to Healthcare Delivery.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of global issues in healthcare and delivery mechanisms.
3. Protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology |
4 - Think Critically
7 - Develop Computer and Information Literacy |
| 1. Show maintenance of compliance with regulations and standards associated with health information management, which are distributed by private and governmental agencies (e.g., CMS, JCAHO, NCQA). |
5 - Civic Engagement and/or Working Professionally |
