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 HIM/HI Associate Degree Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Heath Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).  Accreditation is not time limited.  Once achieving accreditation, the program’s accreditation continues until there is no cause to change its status.  For more information concerning accreditation standards contact the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor, Suite 2150, Chicago, Illinois, 60601-5800, phone number 312-233-1100, web address www.cahiim.org.

Professional Organizations

Selective Health Program Admission Process

Students may apply to a maximum of three selective admissions programs

Apply for Admission to Owens Community College.

Apply Online Now!

Request Evaluation for Admission to a Health Program.

Applicants must have a complete file in the Records Office by established deadline dates.   If you were previously evaluated and denied, and wish to be re-evaluated for the same program or any other health program, you must submit another Request for Health Evaluation.  To view file status, regularly check “My Required Documents” via Ozone.

- view FAQ’s for Selective Health Admission Process

- view Deadline Dates and Requirements for a Complete File

- Submit a Request for Health Program Evaluation by logging into your Ozone account. Select the Academic Info tab and navigate to the Selective Health portal and select Request a Health Evaluation.

Official transcripts are required from the applicant’s high school, college or university attended.  If you have a GED, high school, or college transcript(s), please request an official copy be sent to:

Owens Community College

Attn:  Records Office

P.O. Box 10,000

Toledo, OH 43699-1947

If you have an official, sealed copy of a transcript to drop off, visit Oserve on the Toledo or Findlay campus during regular hours, found at www.owens.edu/oserve, to submit.

Evaluation does not mean automatic admission to the program.  Results of the Health Evaluation will be sent to your Owens email account approximately 2-3 weeks after the evaluation deadline date.

For assistance with the selective health program admission process, requirements, procedures and final date for receipt of application contact the Pre-Health Advising Advisor.

Admission Requirements

The Health Information Technology Program begins each fall semester.  Applicants will be reviewed on January 15 once the following is complete.  If the program is not filled after the January 15 review, an additional review will be held on May 15 to offer applicants an opportunity to begin the program.  

1. Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED (General Education Development) test is required. High school students may apply, but continuation in the program may be contingent upon submission of an official high school transcript verifying graduation.
2. Official transcripts are required from any college or university attended.
3. A grade of “C” or better in one of the following: one full credit of high school level chemistry, CHM 095 , a higher level college chemistry course or PHY 115 .
4. A grade of “C” or better in one of the following: one full credit of high school level anatomy, biology, anatomy & physiology, BIO 101 , BIO 201 , BIO 202 , BIO 211 , or BIO 212 .
5. Completion of the ACT or SAT. 
6. The first attempt, from any institution, of the most recent version of all four components of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills).
7. Some programs require observation hours.
8. Some programs require an Ohio Department of Health approved Nurse Assistant Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) completed within two years of the beginning of the first SNHP Program clinical course. 

Applicants should view “My Required Documents” in their student portal for a complete list of requirements.

Selective admissions points are earned as described below. A maximum of 50 points can be earned. A rank ordered list of applicants by point total will be developed. The applicants with the highest number of points will be offered a seat the program.  The applicants with the next highest number of points will be offered a seat as an alternate.

Points are calculated based on the following:

1.  Grade Point Average (GPA)  

A maximum of 20 points can be earned based on the applicants most recent GPA:

A. Applicants who have completed 11 or more college credit hours, as specified below, will be reviewed using their college GPA.  Three of the 11 college credit hours must include a math or science course. The only courses included in the calculation of college GPA are:

Math - the one, most recent, college level math course (MTH 101 or higher) which must be at least three credit hours.

Science - the most recent attempt at BIO 211  and / or BIO 212 .

Humanities or Social Science - the one, most recent, college level humanities or social science course which must be at least three credit hours.

Communication - the most recent attempt at ENG 111 . 

B. If a college GPA is not applicable, the high school GPA on file at Owens Community College will be used. 

2.  TEAS Entrance Assessment

A maximum of 16 points can be earned based on the applicant’s first attempt on the most recent version of TEAS in the areas of Reading, Science, English and Math.

Reading and Science - a maximum of five points can be earned in each area for a total of ten points.

English and Math - a maximum of three points can be earned in each area for a total of six points.

3. ACT or SAT Score

A maximum of eight points can be earned based on the most recent ACT or SAT score.

4. Course Completion

A maximum of eight points can be earned based on the first graded attempt of the following four courses. Points are not earned for grades of “C”.

A minimum of 15 points out of a total of 52 points must be achieved in order to be considered for Health Information Technology Program Admission. 

Extenuating, documentable situations may prevent a student from beginning a program for which a seat has been accepted. Students may petition the program manager or chair to explore the possibility of securing a seat in a future semester. Contact the program chair for additional information.

Criteria for a tied score:

The following criteria will be used to break a tie in the event of two or more students receiving the same number of points on the selection criteria tally form at the time of selection in the following order:

1. Highest GPA points.
2. Highest TEAS Entrance Assessment points.
3. Most recent ACT Composite score points.
4. Course completion points.

If two students are still tied after the above determinations have been made, a lottery system will be used to determine the selected candidate.

Progression/Completion Requirements

All students entering or enrolled in the Health Information Technology Program must achieve a “C” or better in all program and general education courses within the plan of study to progress through the program.  A student who fails to achieve a grade of “C” or better in any course within the plan of study must see the program director. A student who earns a grade of “D” or “F” in two program courses or earns a grade of “D” or “F” in one program course twice, is permanently dismissed from the Health Information Technology Program and is ineligible for readmission.  The Health Information Technology Program must be completed within three years from the date of enrollment in the first program technical course.

All program courses listed for each semester must be taken in the semester listed. General education courses listed for each semester must be taken in the semester listed or prior to the semester listed.

Non-Academic Readmission

Students that elect to leave the program prior to completion for other than academic reasons may request readmission and be reaccepted providing there is an opening in the program. The Department Assistant Chair must be notified in writing of the student’s intention to return to the program at least four months prior to the start of the semester. 

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 Oserve Office on each campus. Oserve is the place for you to ask questions related to financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 2387 or (567) 661-2387 Email: oserve@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