65 2023–2024 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM Health Information Technician | ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE Knowledge Credit Self-Directed Assessment Available Associate of Applied Science Degree Fully online program1 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • Health Information Technician • Health Information Data Collection and Analysis Specialist • Medical Coder / Biller-Analyst / Auditor • Electronic Health Records Specialist • Compliance Auditor / Specialist • Patient Care Coordinator • Release of Information Specialist • Revenue Cycle Reimbursement Specialist OBJECTIVE Graduates of this program understand the requirements of a health information professional as a member of the healthcare team, within a variety of healthcare- related settings and organizations. Students analyze and apply technologies, including electronic health record applications and core health information competencies related to understanding and utilizing health information throughout its life cycle. Emphasis is placed on data structure and content; healthcare statistical preparation; data analytics, use, and reporting; revenue cycle management; medical coding and billing, information protection; privacy, confidentiality, and security; health law; and compliance, technology, and information interoperability. Graduates know fundamental management, leadership, and teamwork skills and can demonstrate ethical professional behavior in a workplace setting through simulated activities and during professional practice experiences. Graduates have computer application skills, math statistics foundation, basic human anatomy, medical terminology, and pathophysiology and pharmacology as a foundation to the competencies needed by a health information professional. Graduates value written and interpersonal communication, critical thinking and problem solving, diversity awareness skills, and information and digital literacy. They are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare-related settings, including hospitals, physician practices, insurance companies, billing companies, government agencies, long-term care, home health, rehabilitation, behavioral health, skilled nursing facilities, health information consulting companies, and health information technology vendors. DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION COURSES B080 Reading and Writing Strategies 4 B087 Practical Math 4 GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES Lower Division English Composition (Required course) 4 ENC1101 English Composition+ Communication (*Required course, Select 1 course)+ 6 *COM1865 Locating and Evaluating Information Humanities (Select 1 course)+ 4 Math / Natural Sciences (Required courses) 8 PHA1500 Structure and Function of the Human Body+ STA1625 Essential Statistics and Analytics+ Social Sciences (Select 2 courses)+ 8 See page 93 for General Education Course Selections. CORE COURSES Lower Division CGS1240 Computer Applications and Business Systems Concepts+ 3 HIM1103 Coding Foundations 4 HIM1125 ICD-CM Coding 4 HIM1126C ICD-PCS Coding 4 HIM1257 Ambulatory Coding 4 HIM2000 Introduction to Health Information Management 4 HIM2135 Revenue Cycle Management 4 HIM2224C Health Information Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 3 HIM2410 Health Information Law and Ethics 4 HIM2515 Management and Leadership in Health Information 4 HIM2589C Healthcare Statistics and Data Management 3 HIM2624C Data Analytics and Informatics in Healthcare 3 HIM2655C Healthcare Technologies 4 HIM2944 Medical Billing and Coding Practicum 2 HIM2945 Health Information Technician Professional Practice Experience1 3 HIM2966 Health Information Technician Associate Capstone 3 HSC1531 Medical Terminology 4 General Education Credits 30 Core Credits 60 Total Associate’s Degree Credits 90 + Self-directed assessment available; see page 172 for details. 1 The HIM2945 Health Information Technician Professional Practice Experience course is a 90-hour online course that includes 40 hours of professional practice experience at an approved site location. The Health Information Management accreditor of Rasmussen University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for the Associate degree in Health Information Technician has been reaffirmed through 2025. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at [email protected]. Graduates of the CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Technician Associate’s Degree program meet the educational requirements to sit for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA®) Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) certification exam. This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any other professional licenses or certifications. This program may require specific immunizations prior to professional practice experience. In addition to meeting all other admissions requirements, applicants must successfully pass a background check through Rasmussen University’s chosen third-party vendor. An additional background check may also be required during active enrollment prior to practicum or clinical placement depending on site requirements. Developmental Education courses do not count toward total program credits, and are not calculated in GPA. Students must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in Developmental Education courses through a Rasmussen University entrance placement exam, approved exemption based on previously completed coursework, or by passing Developmental Education courses.
