Health Information Technology Degree
Health Information Technology Degree
Available at these Campuses: Bridgeview NC Online
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The field of medical information technology provides a great opportunity for students to fuse two of the most profitable career options currently available on the job market: medical coding and health information management.
At first glance, a health information technology degree prepares students for the world of data, statistics, code, and information security right from the start. However, the health information specialty takes things one step further by asking students to focus their skills in a medical niche.
This is where the Northwestern College health information technology degree program makes all the difference. By working hand-in-hand with area hospitals and medical facilities, we have been able to devise a curriculum that makes sense for the modern medical world. Our students learn to work on the same health information systems that employers use every day, making them ideally situated to begin the kind of careers that last a lifetime.
Your Health Information Technology Career
These days, every medical facility—from top research hospitals to grassroots level nonprofit health clinics—relies on electronic record keeping. Because of the specialized rules and regulations governing medical facilities, there’s a unique skill set required to work within this field.
Employer expectations for a medical records and health information technician include:
- Health data management
- Health statistics
- Medical law and ethical standards
- Organization management
- The aptitude to code patient records according to standard classifications
- The ability to work across departments and health information systems
- Medical terminology knowledge
We’re proud to state that the health information technology degree program offered through Northwestern College meets national requirements and employer expectations, making it a highly sought program for both new and returning students.
Earn Your Associate in Applied Science Health Information Technology Degree
The health information technology course we offer is a degree program at the associate in applied science level. The entire course can be completed in two years for full-time students, with additional options for students who have current work or family obligations.
Because you walk away from our program with both a degree and an externship under your belt, we feel confident in your ability to succeed, and we invite you to share this confidence with us.
From the moment you walk through our doors and sit down at a computer terminal designed to emulate the real working world, you’ll feel the Northwestern College difference. Our tools and your training—they go together almost as well as healthcare and information technology.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Be adequately prepared as health information technicians in health data management
- Be adequately prepared as health information technicians in health statistics and quality management
- Be adequately prepared as health information technicians in medical law and ethical standards
- Be adequately prepared as health information technicians in health informatics
- Be adequately prepared as health information technicians in organization management
The following was reported to CAHIIM for the August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017 Recruiting Period:
RHIT Exam Pass Rate – 35% (Out of 20 first time test-takers, 7 passed the certification exam, during the period.)
Retention Rate – 61% (Out of 72 enrolled students during the period, 44 students remained enrolled and/or graduated during the period.) National Retention Rate for similar institutions is 50%.
Graduation Rate – 51% (Out of 72 enrolled students during the period, 37 students graduated during the period.)
National Graduation Rate for similar institutions is 26%Course Information
As a health information technology student, you will enjoy classes such as:
Coding and Classification Systems
This course is a study of the official coding rules, guidelines, and classification systems for assigning valid diagnostic codes. Students will abstract health information according to regulatory guidelines for acute hospital or professional coding.
Health Information Supervision, Financial and Resource Management
The principles of organization and supervision relevant to operating a health information department are presented. Topics will include leadership, motivation, team building, and human resources specific to the profession of HIM. Budgeting skills and financial management are presented, as well as a thorough understanding of the revenue cycle.
Information Systems in Healthcare
This is an introduction to the components of modern Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. This course uses a combination of modalities: textbook, online recorded lectures from ONC videos, podcasts, and hands-on assignments using web-based labs. Emphasis is placed on data systems, security and privacy, and meaningful use.
Accreditations and Approvals
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org.
The Northwestern College Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree program at the Bridgeview Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (www.cahiim.org), 233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, (312) 233-1100.
The Northwestern College Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree program at the Chicago Campus accreditation is in Inactive Status with the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (www.cahiim.org), 233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, (312) 233-1100.
Northwestern College is approved for veterans training under the G.I. Bill for Veterans Educational Assistance.
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Making College Affordable
At Northwestern College, we help our students understand their college costs and how to pay for them. We also, understand that applying for financial aid can seem a little confusing and overwhelming, and want to make the process of applying for financial aid as easy as possible. That’s why our Financial Assistance Representatives are available to meet with you to help you understand financial aid and help you navigate through the application process.
Northwestern College participates in several different types of financial aid programs to enable our Financial Assistant Department to offer you the best possible combination of aid awards. We participate in both the Federal Student Aid Programs and Illinois State MAP Program, along with other miscellaneous financial aid programs from various sources (including Veterans Programs).
Most of our students receive some form of financial assistance. We work hard to help you find the money you need to finance your education, guiding you through the financial aid process and helping you explore different financial aid options. Grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study will assist you in paying for a college education. Read on to learn more about these opportunities.
Remember, you can always contact the Financial Assistant Department at any time and speak with one of our Financial Assistance Representatives if you have any questions regarding the financial aid process. We look forward to helping you!
Grants
Grants are need-based awards funded by the federal or state government. Grants are funds that do not require repayment. Learn More
Loans
For many students and parents, loans represents an important resource to help finance educational expenses. Northwestern College participates in the federal student loan program which allows students and their parents to borrow money to help meet their educational costs. A loan is a borrowed money that is expected to be paid back with interest. When you take out a student loan, you are making a legal obligation to repay the loan, so carefully consider the amount you borrow. Be a responsible borrower and borrow only what you need. Learn More
Scholarships/Tuition Discounts
Northwestern College offers a variety of scholarships to students. The internal scholarships and tuition discounts that we offer are sums of money that do not require repayment. See which ones you qualify for.
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Get Started Now
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