Health Information Technology

Program Description

Students who are interested in the digital/computer side of healthcare may enjoy the Health Information Technology (HIT) field. After a patient meets with their healthcare provider, all the information collected from their medical history, their diagnosis and everything in-between has to be processed, analyzed, compiled, maintained and managed to support the patient and the hospital or doctor’s office.

The HIT program is 68 SHC and includes two Professional Practice Experiences (PPEs) in local health care facilities. Students will learn to supervise departmental functions; classify, code and index diagnoses and procedures; coordinate information for cost control, quality management, statistics, marketing and planning; monitor governmental and non-governmental standards; facilitate research; and design system controls to monitor patient information security.

In this program, students will study anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology; health care statistics, medical terminology and coding. Students also complete courses in healthcare law and ethics, quality management and computers for health care. A professional issues course is offered in the last semester, and students also complete six SHC in English and a course each in either psychology or economics and humanities/fine arts.

Graduates of the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in the Health Information Technology Program will be eligible to take the national certification examination to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Craven Community College’s Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).

Admission Criteria

Health Information Technology is a selective admissions program. Selective admission into A45360 (Associate in Applied Science, Health Information Technology) requires adherence to the program of study by successfully completing all courses as outlined for progression throughout the curriculum. Please refer to the Associate Degree Health Information Technology Handbook for additional admission, progression and graduation requirements.

Admission requirements into the Health Information Technology Program to include the following:

• General Admission to Craven Community College must be completed before applying for the Health Information Technology program.
• Math – High School GPA must be 2.8 or higher within 10 years of enrollment at Craven CC or complete all developmental requisites to be eligible for MAT 152 & BIO 163.
• English – High School GPA must be 2.8 or higher within 10 years of enrollment at Craven CC or complete all developmental requisites to be eligible for ENG 111.
• Prior to beginning PPEs, students must submit a completed physical examination form signed by a licensed physician and documentation of immunizations.
• Clinical facilities require criminal background checks and drug screening. Any expenses associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student. Pending the outcome, clinical facilities may deny a student the opportunity to complete the clinical portion of the program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of the program will be dismissed from the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate that patient health information is complete, accurate, and protected.
• Effectively use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs.
• Code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures for the purpose of reimbursement, standardization, retrieval, and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning skills in health information management.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities for registered and non-registered health information technicians exist in:

• hospitals
• rehabilitation facilities
• nursing homes
• health insurance organizations
• outpatient clinics
• physicians’ offices
• hospices
• mental health facilities

Contact Information

HIT Program Director
252-638-7316

Health Programs Admission & Advising Coordinator
(252) 639-2025
healthcare@cravencc.edu