Health Information Technology Information

Health Information is the profession that focuses on health care data and the management of health care information resources. Health information management represents a continuum of practice concerned with health related information and the management of systems to collect, store, process, retrieve, analyze, disseminate and communicate information related to the research, planning, provision, financing and evaluation of health services. A career in health information technology combines the knowledge of and skills from the discipline of medicine, information management, business applications and computer technology within the healthcare industry.

Graduates of associate degree educational program are known as health information technicians. The tasks or functions performed by the health information technicians are numerous and continually change within the work environment. The job title and work setting will dictate the actual tasks performed by the health information technician. However, in general these individuals perform a variety of technical health information functions including organizing, analyzing, and technically evaluating health information; compiling various administrative and health statistics; and coding diseases, operations, and other procedures for research data bases and reimbursement.

Responsibilities also include maintaining and using a variety of health information indexes, creating special registries for researchers, and storage and retrieval systems; input and retrieve computerized health data, and controlling the use and release of health information. Their task responsibility may also include general supervision.

Department of Health Information Technology Program

Accreditation

The Health Information Management/Health Informatics program accreditor of Owens State Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Management/Health Informatics has been reaffirmed through 2027. 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.

Professional Organizations

Health Requirements

The Health Information Technology Program includes two supervised professional directed practice experiences in the last semester of the Program.  Each HIT student is required to have a physical examination, and specified immunizations, completed prior to their professional directed practice experience. The necessary forms will be provided to the student at the start of their third semester and are to be completed and signed by the examining physician by the specified deadline.  Health information may be sent to the professional direction practice experience sites. 

Background Check Requirements

The HIT Program does not require a background check for admission.  A background check may be required by a professional directed practice site.  The student is responsible for any fees incurred as a result of completing the background check.

The student also is advised that conviction of a felony may prohibit placement in a suitable training site. In addition, some licensing agencies restrict eligibility for licensure and/or licensure examinations based upon an individual’s criminal background.

For more information on background checks by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) visit the following websites: 

The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I), www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), www.fbi.gov

Technical Standards

Technical standards are those considered to be necessary or fundamental to perform a job. In the programs offered through the Health Information Technology Department, the student’s job is to learn and participate in an academic and clinical environment as well. The student, with or without reasonable accommodation, must possess these essential functions:

- view Technical Standards  

Professional Practice Experience

The program requires that the student participate in 96 hours of professional practice experience.  Students gain supervised, hands-on experience enabling them to gain real work experience. Second year students will participate in a fall and spring professional practice experience. Transportation costs, liability insurance, lab coat, etc. are the responsibility of the student.

- view Clinical Affiliations  

Certification

Graduates are eligible to apply to write the national qualifying examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Graduate Satisfaction

Each class is asked to complete a survey 6 months after graduation that asks for their impression of the learning experience they received in our Health Information Technology Program.  The results indicate 100% agreement that the students feel the program has:

• Prepared them in acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform as a Health Information Technology Professional.
• Prepared them to communicate effectively within his/her work setting.
• Prepared them to conduct his/herself in an ethical and professional manner.

Employment Opportunities

Health information technicians perform numerous functions that continually change within the work environment. The job title and work setting dictate the actual tasks performed. Technicians are responsible for maintaining components of health information systems, consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.

These individuals perform a variety of technical health information functions including organizing, analyzing and technically evaluating health information; compiling various administrative and health statistics; and coding diseases, operations, and other procedures for research databases and reimbursement. Responsibilities also include maintaining and using a variety of health information indexes, creating registries for researchers, and storage and retrieval systems; inputting and retrieving computerized health data, and controlling the use and release of health information. Their work also may include general supervision.

The skills acquired through the Health Information Technology Program, as well as successful certification, qualify graduates for positions in:

• Hospitals
• Managed care organizations
• Long term care facilities
• Behavioral health facilities
• Consulting and law firms
• Information system vendors
• Ambulatory care facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Home care providers
• Hospice
• Government agencies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Physician practices
• Insurance Companies

Employer Satisfaction

In surveying the employers of our students and the professional practice site supervisors, results indicate 100% agreement that our students:

• Possess the technical skills and have the knowledge needed to perform in the health information management department.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve problems, and develop appropriate action steps.
• Communicate effectively.
• Conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Owens Community College maintains an Office of Student Financial Services on each campus. The Office of Student Financial Services is the place for you to ask questions related to financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 2387 or (567) 661-2387 Email: studentfinancial@owens.edu.  There are a variety of financial aid programs, scholarships and on-campus employment opportunities available at Owens Community College. For more information, visit the College scholarship website.

Scholarships are available through the following professional organizations:

America Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), www.ahima.org

Ohio Health Information Management (OHIMA), www.ohima.org

Northwest Ohio Health Information Management Association (NWOHIMA), www.ohima.org/reg.associations/regassocnwohima.html