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  May 31, 2023
 
2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023] 
  
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2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023]

Health Information Technology (2277) (A.S.)

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Associate in Science

This is a Limited Access program.

Mission/Purpose

The mission of the Health Information Technology (HIT) program is to provide the opportunity for students to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to become ethical, competent health information professionals with entry-level skills and the resources needed to acquire, analyze, maintain, and report accurate and complete health information. In addition, the program provides an environment of lifelong learning.

The Program

The Health Information Technology program offers the perfect mix of business and healthcare with focus on the use, integrity, availability, and privacy of healthcare data. The Health Information Technology program prepares the student to meet data requirements in all areas of the health care delivery system. The online curriculum consists of health records management and administration of information management to enhance the quality of services in accordance with medical, legal, ethical, regulatory, and institutional policies. HIT students gain knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, human physiology, pathophysiology, statistical and research methods, state and federal regulations, legal aspects of health care, medical coding of health care (diagnoses, procedures) services, and the electronic health record and its use to the health care facility. Graduates are then eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

The Health Information Technology accreditor of Florida State College at Jacksonville is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2021. 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 info@cahiim.org.

Admission to the HIT program is limited and is based on completion of specific prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C or higher. Students are required to complete two non-paid professional practice/clinical experiences.  Students enrolled in this program may find it difficult to work during the professional phase of the program due to professional practice/clinical demands. Students are required to complete two non-paid professional practice experiences (PPEs) prior to graduation. Students may not take the responsibility of qualified staff in the clinical practice setting. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to undertake certain defined activities with appropriate supervision and direction. Students may be employed in the field of study outside regular educational hours, paid, and subject to standard employer policies.

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all professional coursework.

Program Outcomes
Student
Achievements/Outcomes		 Year Rate
Graduation Rate 2020-2021 60%
Student Satisfaction Rate 2020-2021 100%
Certification Rate 2020-2021 100%

Embedded Certificate(s)

Two technical certificates, Medical Information Coder/Biller (6155) (T.C.)  and Healthcare Informatics Specialist (6165) (T.C.) , are included within this A.S. degree program. Students may pursue the A.S. degree and earn the certificates while completing the requirements for the degree, or pursue the certificates to develop or upgrade their skills. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Please note by being enrolled in this degree program you may automatically meet the requirements for the aforementioned technical certificate. If you meet the requirements for the technical certificate, as a result of being enrolled in this degree program, you may automatically be awarded the technical certificate upon meeting its requirements as well. If you choose to opt out of earning the technical certificate, please contact an advisor to do so.

The Career

The Health information Technician (HIT) plays a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing data that physician and other health care professionals rely on for delivery of quality health care. Graduates of the HIT program are known as health information technicians. Health information technicians focus on the technical side of managing health data availability and integrity. Entry-level health information technicians may be employed in a variety of settings wherever health information is collected such as acute-care hospitals, psychiatric facilities, ambulatory care facilities, physician office practices, long term care, substance abuse agencies, and rehabilitation centers. Some non-traditional settings where HIT professionals use their expertise include reimbursement companies, disease registries, health information technology vendors, consulting firms, research, policy agencies, and educational institutions.

For additional information about the health information technology profession, contact the American Health Information Management Association, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150, Chicago, IL 60601-5519, (312) 233-1090, or ahima.org.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are encouraged to successfully complete an AHIMA certification exam. A credential validates your competence as an HIM professional to employers and the public. A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential requires an associate’s degree (from a CAHIIM Associate degree accredited program) and successful performance on the RHIT certification exam.

Certification/Licensing

Students who successfully complete the Health Information Technology (HIT) program are eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential is recognized throughout the healthcare environment. Only graduates from an accredited program are allowed to sit for the AHIMA national certification exam. Successful completion of the exam entitles a graduate to use the credential RHIT. 

For more information about the RHIT certification, visit ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/rhit/. To learn more about the AHMIA, visit ahima.org/.

Program Accreditation

The Health Information Technology accreditor of Florida State College at Jacksonville is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2024. 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 info@cahiim.org.

Application Procedure

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Health Information Technology program, students must complete the following by the application deadline:

  1. Be currently enrolled or a former Florida State College at Jacksonville student.
  2. Complete the required prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or higher:
  3. Maintain a 2.0 GPA.
  4. Complete the Health Information Technology program application.
  5. Submit an official college transcript.
  6. Submit a reflection essay.
  7. Submit verification of health-related work experience (if applicable) typed on employer letterhead including the dates of employment, specific health-related duties performed and the number of hours worked per week.
  8. Submit verification of volunteer service (if applicable) typed on the organization’s letterhead.

Applicants will be ranked on the quality points earned in the four courses listed above. Students who verify work experience in health information technology will earn two points per year, up to a maximum of six points. 

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next, followed by those with the highest number of completed prerequisite courses. Qualified applicants with pending prerequisite course requirements will receive a conditional acceptance letter outlining the remaining criteria for full program admission.

Application Deadline(s)

The application deadline is February 15 of each year with classes starting in the Summer term.

Need More Information? Contact:

(904) 766-6567 or hcic@fscj.edu.

Prerequisites

Prior to being admitted to the program, an applicant must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C or higher:

Curriculum

General Education Coursework

Credit Hours: 20

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 50

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all Professional coursework.

Total Credit Hours: 70

Record of Conviction of a Crime

Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the state of Florida.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, additional fingerprinting and background check (e.g. the Jessica Lunsford Act for school environments), drug testing, flu shot, Covid-19 testing/vaccine and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.  It is the students’ responsibility to renew their annual physical examination as well as tuberculosis (TB) test.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded the associate in science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
  2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College at Jacksonville in courses eligible toward the Associate in Science degree programs, excluding developmental education courses (A.S. Florida State College at Jacksonville GPA).
  3. Earned an all-college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted. This includes Florida State College at Jacksonville college-credit semester hours and transferred credits (excluding developmental education) in lower division courses (All college cumulative).
  4. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
  5. Complete the required semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
  6. Demonstrated competency in civic literacy in accordance with s. 1007.25, Florida Statutes (F.S.) at bit.ly/FS-gen-ed-courses and State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.02413, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) at bit.ly/FR-civic-lit-comp. Pursuant to guidelines established by Senate Bill 1108, competency is demonstrated by completion of one of two civic literacy courses (either AMH 2020  or POS 2041 ) with a grade of C or higher AND by achievement of the standard score on a state-approved assessment.
  7. Earned a grade of a C or higher in each course used to satisfy the general education requirements and any other area designated with a C or higher requirement.
  8. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  • Students who enter under the (2022/2023) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2022/2023 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  • Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or higher regardless of program of study.
     

Baccalaureate Transfer

The Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree programs are intended primarily for students who desire to complete an Associate in Science degree or an Associate in Applied Science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue baccalaureate transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details, visit the Transfer Services page at fscj.edu/transferservices or refer to the Baccalaureate Transfer Guide at fscj.edu/transferguide.

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