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Health Information Technology (AS)

Where would we be if nobody stood between average people and the often confusing, even scary terminology of specialized medical fields? Every day, there's a new pharmaceutical on the market, a new surgical procedure invented, and a new diagnosis documented. As a result, the medical field is crying out for people to manage and organize the landslide of new information, and keep it connected to existing information.

The Health Information Technology Program* offers preparation for a technical area of service in hospitals, clinics, and related health facilities, and agencies. Graduates are prepared to serve as entry level health information technicians. The health information technician performs technical duties vital to the operation of a medical record department in any health care facility.

A progression policy has been developed to facilitate entry into the HIA Program. The Health Information Administration (HIA) program is designed to provide flexibility for the student. It consists of the Health Information Technology (HIT)* Program plus two years of prescribed work. Students should consult their advisors for evaluation of possible credits earned through successful completion of the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam or previous work experience.

The Health Care Coding Certificate program prepares you to code, classify, and index diagnoses and procedures. With it, you can enter the workforce immediately, or move on into DSU's A.S. in Health Information Technology and the B.S. in Health Information Administration.

*Possible side effects of our HIT program do NOT include some or all of the following: unsightly rash, boils, rickets±, grippe, heart palpitations**, gout, thrush, or Grocer's Itch‡

• ± if your rickets last more than 4 hours, please consult a physician.
• ** except for the moment they offer you the job!
• ‡ Seriously. This is a real disease. We had to google it.

Possible Job Titles:

• Health Data Analyst
• Insurance Claims Analyst
• Records Technician Specialist
• Clinical Coding Specialist
• Physician Practice Manager
• Patient Information Coordinator

Salary Range:

Low to Mid 30's'

Job Outlook:

Excellent

What are the benefits of a DSU Degree?

• Class size/personal attention (Faculty-Student ratio):
  • Classes are limited to 25 per section.
• Cool facts or interesting things about this major:
  • Includes supervised professional practices to give field experiences to the students. Online courses allow distance students to interact with campus students. We utilize an advisory board of professionals to provide input into our programs.
• Faculty's unique experiences or certifications in this major:
  • Faculty are active in professional health information organizations. Program director has been awarded Fellowship status in the American Health Information Management Association.
• Integrated Technology:
  • Health information management specific software that is industry leader is incorporated into classes. Courses are available via distance delivery, webcast videos, and other website resources.
• What type of special opportunities can students take part in?
  • Scholarships specific to HIM are available from the American Health Information Management Association and the South Dakota Health Information Management Associations (and many other states also have scholarships available for distance students in their area as well)
  • Active Health Information Management Club does social, community service, and other professional activities such as projects at health care facilities, professional meetings, tours of facilities.

Alumni Information:

• There are several alumni working in the Avera Health System and Sanford Health System in Sioux Falls.