Health Information Technology
About the Program
The Health Information Technology program is a two-year technical program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree designed to train health information professionals with the knowledge and skills to process, analyze, disseminate and maintain health care information. A career as a health information professional offers a unique opportunity to combine knowledge and skills in four main categories; which are coding and revenue cycle management, information governance, informatics, and data analytics. Health Information Technology professionals are responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.
Health Information Technology graduates are employed in hospitals, as well as in other healthcare settings, including public/private health agencies, mental health facilities, long-term care, ambulatory care, state and federal health agencies, physician practices and home health agencies.
Accreditation Statement
The Health Information Technology accreditor of Southwest Mississippi Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the 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.
The Health Information Technology program prepares graduates to write the national accreditation examination for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Admission Requirements
An application for the program must be completed as well as an interview with the Program Director. Priority is given to applicants with an ACT composite of 18 or equivalent ACCUPLACER score.
Program Delivery
The Health Information Technology program is offered through on-campus day courses, and through asynchronous MSVCC distance education (online/Internet-based) courses via the Instructure Canvas Learning Management System.
三亿体育登录 HIT Application
Program Contacts
Perspective students may contact either Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Cotton, or Mrs. Vickie Humphreys about the Health Information Technology program at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
- Kristy Artmann Carlisle, MBA, RHIT, CCS
- Melissa Findley Cotten, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CAHIMS
Kristy Artmann Carlise
Program Director – Health Information Technology
Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666
Office Phone #: 601-276-2015
Office Location: Career Technical Education Complex, Room #215
Classroom Location: Career Technical Education Complex, Room #202
Melissa Cotten
Instructor – Health Information Technology
Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666
Mrs. Vickie Humphreys, RHIT
Instructor – Health Information Technology
Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666
Additional Program Fees
Besides basic tuition, there are specific fees which are not included in the tuition and eBook fees. The list below includes approximate costs for the required materials. Please note there are several AHIMA textbooks utilized within the program that are not included in the regular book fees.
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Freshman Year/First Semester |
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Course |
Product |
Estimated Cost* |
|
Health Records Systems |
Health Information Management: An Applied Approach bundle with annual student membership and adaptive learning access, newest edition |
$210.00 |
|
|
Total FY/1T Estimated Cost |
$210.00 |
|
Freshman Year/Second Semester |
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|
|
Course |
Product |
Estimated Cost* |
|
Health IT Systems |
Introduction to Information Systems |
$85.00 |
|
|
EHRGo! Access Code |
$78.00 |
|
|
Total FY/2T Estimated Cost |
$ 163.00 |
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Sophomore Year/First Semester |
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Course |
Product |
Estimated Cost* |
|
Professional Practice Experience I |
AHIMA Virtual Lab Access Code (annual) |
$ 120.00 |
|
Coding Systems I |
ICD-10-CM Coding Manual |
$ 125.00 |
|
|
ICD-10-PCS Coding Manual |
$ 125.00 |
|
|
Total SY/1T Estimated Cost |
$ 370.00 |
|
Sophomore Year/Second Semester |
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|
Course |
Product |
Estimated Cost* |
|
Coding Systems II |
CPT Coding Manual |
$ 98.00 |
|
|
HCPCS Coding Manual |
$ 98.00 |
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Quality Management and Compliance |
Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare |
$ 100.00 |
|
RHIT Prep Course |
AHIMA RHIT Prep Bundle w/ RHIT Exam Fee |
$ 360.00 |
|
|
Total SY/2T Estimated Cost |
$ 656.00 |
*These costs are estimates only and depend upon the publisher or issuing company; these fees may change without prior notice.
AHIMA Career Map
Unsure if HIT is for you? Take a look at the interaction AHIMA Career Map to see which entry-level and mid-level career paths there are available. Careers include Release of Information Specialist, Mapping Specialist, Transcriptionist, Data Analyst, Health Information Technician, Patient Care Coordinator, Medical Professional, Medical Biller, DRG Validator, Data Integrity Analyst, Clinical Information Coordinator, and so many more opportunities.
Health Information Management Student Organization (HIMSA)
The Southwest Mississippi Community College Health Information Technology (三亿体育登录-HIT) program has a student healthcare organization named Health Information Management Student Association (HIMSA). 三亿体育登录’s HIMSA gives HIT students the opportunity to come together to help educate the campus community on Health Information Management and current healthcare initiatives.
Annually, students nominate fellow HIT students for officer positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Fundraisers are hosted semi-annually to cover costs of student attendance at the yearly MSHIMA state meetings.
Being involved in HIMSA is an opportunity for students to use their peers as a resource for the health information management industry. Students are given the opportunity to build relationships with peers outside of the classroom where students can learn from each other and encourage each other to succeed. Students can also gain leadership experience and network with past graduates through HIMSA.
HIMSA adds to the student educational experience not only by generating enthusiasm about the industry, but also by providing a forum for students to gather, share ideas, and connect to the profession outside of their mandatory coursework.
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) Credential*
Professionals holding the RHIT credential are health information technicians who:
- Ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.
- Use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
- Often specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. An additional role for RHITs is cancer registrars - compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.
With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor's degree.
Although most RHITs work in hospitals, they are also found in other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. In fact, RHITs may be employed in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.
Eligibility Requirements
RHIT applicants completing 三亿体育登录’s HIT program meet the following eligibility requirement:
- Successfully complete the academic requirements, at an associate's degree level, of an HIM program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
The academic qualifications of each candidate will be verified before a candidate is deemed eligible to take the examination. All first-time applicants must submit an official transcript from their college or university.
*Resource: http://www.ahima.org/certification/RHIT
Additional Credential Opportunities*
Student graduates are also eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) credential through satisfying the requirement by Education: The following courses MUST be completed; anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural and CPT coding.
CCSs are skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in a hospital setting. These coding practitioners:
Review patients’ records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure
Possess expertise in the ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems
Are knowledgeable about medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology.
Different facilities and institutions make use of a CCSs' skills:
Hospitals and medical providers take the coded data created by CCSs to insurance companies—or to the government in the case of Medicare and Medicaid recipients—for reimbursement of expenses
Researchers and public health officials also use this data to monitor patterns and explore new interventions
Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.
**Resource: http://www.ahima.org/certification/CCS
Program Statistics
Retention Rate:
- 2019/2020: 100%
- 2019/2020: 94%
Graduation Rate:
Student Satisfaction Rate:
- 2019/2020: 100%
Employment Rate:
- 2019/2020: 84%
Perspective students may contact either Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Cotten, or Mrs. Humphreys about the Health Information Technology program at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
