Associate in Science | SC Program: AS.1600

The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology program prepares students for a career working with health information in a variety of healthcare settings in diverse roles. Health Information Technology professionals perform the essential functions of acquiring, analyzing, maintaining and securing health information vital to providing quality patient care. Health Information Technology graduates are employed in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, ambulatory care facilities, long term care facilities, home health agencies, consulting firms, and any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors. Upon program accreditation, graduates will be eligible to apply for writing the national examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). The Health Information Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry into Shasta College’s Health Information Management Baccalaureate Degree program.

This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.

Health Information Technology is also part of the Accelerated College Education (ACE) program at Shasta College. ACE is designed for working individuals desiring to complete their college education through a more flexible, alternative pathway. Most of the courses are structured in 8-week compressed blocks, but the program also offers some full-term courses. ACE provides program specific counselors, support staff, and priority registration for ACE specific courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, the student should be able to:

  • Apply the knowledge and skills needed to perform HIM Associate Degree entry-level competencies as defined by the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) Council for Excellence in Education (CEE).
  • Apply the knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
  • Compete in the job market in the field of health information technology or enroll in an advanced degree program.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as an individual and collaboratively in a group to resolve health information challenges in a changing healthcare environment.

Health & Safety Clinical Clearance

All students participating in clinical experiences must submit proof of immunity through immunizations or serum titers, cleared criminal background check, negative drug screen, current physical examination and negative TB screening. Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to the established program process. Specific information is available on the Health and Safety Requirements tab on the website or students may call the Division Office (530-339-3600).

Student Fees

Fees students may incur aside from the ordinary course enrollment fees:

  • Textbooks/Virtual Lab software access fee
  • Transportation cost to/from professional practice site (HIT 60)
  • Background check fee and required immunizations cost for student’s professional practice experience (HIT 60)

Degree Requirements

In addition to the required 37-39 unit general education pattern for CSU or IGETC, students must complete the core courses listed below for the Associate of Science in Health Information Technology Degree. Students must also obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 with a grade of C or higher in all courses required for the major. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in this major.

 

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Submit your interest form.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

12 Units Total
HIT 10
M 3
Intro to Health Information
HIT 10
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or better.

This course is an introduction to the Health Information Technology profession. It includes an overview of the American healthcare delivery system, health information functions and responsibilities, health services organization and delivery methods, health data, structure and use, regulatory standards and requirements, information systems, and health information privacy and security. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 11
M 2
Comp Info for Health Info Tech
HIT 11
Units 2
Advisory: CIS 1 with a grade of C or higher

This course is an introduction to computer systems used in healthcare and health information management (HIM). Emphasis is placed on basic computer and networking technologies as well as on specialized software and electronic health record (EHR) applications. This course is designed for students interested in the use of computers in the health information technology field. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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HEOC 11
M 3
Medical Terminology
HEOC 11
Units 3
This course provides students with an understanding of the language of medicine through the study of basic word structures and etymology related to various body systems, diagnostics, and pathology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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BIOL 5
M 3
Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 5
Units 3
This is a one-semester introductory course in human anatomy and physiology presented with a medical emphasis. Selected topics on eleven organ systems are covered. This course is intended to serve medical assistants, licensed vocational nursing, and fire science majors. It also complements child development and nutrition majors. BIOL 5 is a prerequisite for the LVN program. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 30
M 1
Basic Pharmacology
HIT 30
Units 1
This course is an introduction to pharmacology. Topics include an introduction to the principles of pharmacology, terminology, drug forms, routes of administration, drug classifications, and mechanisms of drug action. This course is intended for students in the health information technology program and healthcare professionals who want to refresh their working knowledge of basic pharmacology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

8 Units Total
HIT 15
M 3
Legal Aspects of Healthcare
HIT 15
Units 3
Advisory: HIT 10 with a minimum grade of C

This course covers the legal aspects of health information management including legal procedures, evidence, tort law, corporate and contract law. Other topics include consent to treatment, the legal health record, HIPAA privacy and security rules, patient rights and responsibilities, release of information, required reporting, risk management, healthcare fraud and abuse, medical staff, and workplace law. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 20
M 3
Hospital and Health Statistics
HIT 20
Units 3
Advisory: MATH 114 or MATH 102 with a minimum grade of C, or Math Placement Level 4 or higher.

This course provides instruction for the health information technology student in the basic principles of data collection and calculation of hospital and non-acute facility health statistics. Calculation of Health Information Management department statistics is included. In addition, the course covers the calculation of specific vital statistics as well as discharge analysis reporting. There is instruction in the preparation of monthly and annual medical, administrative, and outside agency reports utilizing tables and graphs. Practice in the interpretation of statistical reports is also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 25
Pre. M 2
Health Info in Alternative Settings
HIT 25
Units 2
This course is an introduction to health information management practice in alternative healthcare settings including long-term care, mental health, ambulatory care, hospice, home health, and rehabilitation medicine. Focus is on the role of the health information practitioner, regulatory issues, accreditation and licensing requirements, documentation, funding and reimbursement, and electronic information systems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

11 Units Total
HIT 7
Pre. M 3
Introduction to Human Disease Process
HIT 7
Units 3
This course focuses on disease processes in the human body from a systems approach. Analysis of the most common and significant diseases is included. The signs and symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease are examined along with the appropriate medical terminology. This course is designed for students in allied health programs, but is also open to those who wish to broaden their medical background or review this information. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 35
Pre. M 3
CPT Coding
HIT 35
Units 3
This introductory course for Health Information Technology students includes the use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding. The course covers the purpose of CPT, CPT Manual format, code format, and coding steps used to code from the six divisions of CPT: Evaluation & Management, Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology & Laboratory, and Medicine. In addition, the course includes national and category III codes. It also includes an overview of reimbursement issues involving physician and hospital payment for outpatient services. This course is also available to hospital and doctors' office employees. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 42
M 2
Principles of Leadership
HIT 42
Units 2
This course introduces the basic concepts of leadership including team leadership, change management, training, and developing employees. Other topics include using enterprise-wide information assets in support of organizational strategies and objectives, company culture, and diversity in the workplace. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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HIT 40
Pre. M 3
ICD Diagnostic Coding
HIT 40
Units 3
This course provides an overview of the organization and format of the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and the role of diagnostic coding in the Prospective Payment System. Provides instruction in diagnostic coding of health records by applying ICD guidelines. Students are introduced to coding software applications (encoder). This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

10 Units Total
HIT 45
Pre. M 2
ICD Procedure Coding
HIT 45
Units 2
This course provides an overview of the structure and organization of the International Classification of Diseases Procedure Classification System (ICD-10-PCS). Provides instruction in procedure coding of health records by applying ICD guidelines. Coding software applications (encoder) will be used in this course. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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HIT 50
M 2
Healthcare Reimbursement
HIT 50
Units 2
This course integrates information about all US healthcare payment systems. The topics covered include reimbursement methodologies, clinical coding and coding compliance, voluntary and government sponsored insurance plans, managed care plans, revenue cycle management and value-based purchasing. Medicare and Medicaid prospective payment systems are also addressed in acute, post-acute, ambulatory, physician fee schedule, hospice, and long term care settings. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 55
M 3
Healthcare Quality Management
HIT 55
Units 3
Advisory: HIT 10 and HIT 20 with a grade of C or higher

This course for Health Information Technology students is an introduction to quality and performance management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management. The course includes the purpose, principles, historical development, assessment and analysis techniques, and application and program development strategies used in quality management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management activities. Also included is the integration of performance improvement activities with the medical staff appointment and reappointment process. Regulatory and privacy requirements will also be addressed. The key concepts, background, and statistical tools used in the continuous quality improvement process (CQI) are also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIT 60
Pre. M 3
Professional Practice Experience
HIT 60
Units 3
Limitations on Enrollment:
1. Special Admission - students must meet with HIT director or health sciences counselor for approval.
2. Health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment, including a physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, TB clearance, background check and drug screening at student's own expense.

This course provides Health Information Technology students with supervised onsite experience performing CAHIIM entry-level competencies in an assigned affiliated healthcare organization. Professional practice experience may include a partial virtual lab practicum. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please contact the ace office to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

Contact Us for More Information

ACE Program

Contact Info
Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am -12:30 pm

Academic/Instructional Division Office

Health Sciences

Contact Info
Location Downtown Redding Campus | 1400 Market Street, Suite 8204 | Redding, CA 96001
Mailing Health Sciences Division | PO Box 496006 | Redding, CA 96049-6006
Alternative Phone (530) 339-3661

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