Overview

• Two year program
• Enter the workforce quickly
• Credits earned in the Coding Certificate Level II program may be applied to this degree.
• Full program offered at LSC-North Harris
• Partial program offered at LSC-Online
• Health Information Technology Department
• Consequences of Criminal Conviction, Notice of Potential Ineligibility for License

Summary

The Health Information Technology (HIT) associate of applied science degree is designed to prepare graduates for entry level employment as health information technicians.

Registered health information technicians perform technical medical record functions vital to the operation of the organization, including analyzing, coding, and health record evaluation. Registered health information technicians process, maintain, complete and report health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assessment and research. Graduates may be employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, health maintenance organizations, and other health care facilities.

Employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 18 percent through 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is faster than the average for all occupations because of rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and consumers. Technicians will be needed to enter patient information into computer databases to comply with federal legislation mandating the use of electronic medical records. Students admitted to the program will be required to pay liability insurance during the semesters involving off-campus practicums or internships.

The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. Contact a counselor, academic advisor, or faculty member at any of the colleges/universities for specific information and to obtain the recommended sequencing of courses.

To meet graduation requirements for any of the certificate or degree programs in the health information technology department, students must attain a grade of "C" or better in each major and general education course. Courses with grades less than a "C" must be repeated. In addition, students must meet the Texas Success Initiative requirements as established by the THECB for the AAS degree.

Printable Program Flyer

Admission Criteria For AAS Degree

In order to be considered for admission to the HIT program, students must meet the Texas State Initiative requirements.  Students must take the TSI Assessment unless you are exempt.  Please visit the placement testing website for more information.  In order to be part of the program, students must be at college-level placement in reading, writing, and completion of MATH 0306 or higher.

1. Complete a Lone Star College admissions online application.  To do so, please visit the Lone Star College admissions page.
2. Review the Statement of Student Responsibility. You will be required to sign and comply with this statement at all times while attending classes at Lone Star College-North Harris.
3. Ensure that you have met all the requirements for admission.
4. REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS from all colleges you have attended and ensure that they are mailed directly to Lone Star College-North Harris Admissions Office, Attention: Admissions, 2700 W. W. Thorne Drive, Houston, TX 77073. Transcripts must be on file with Admissions prior to admission to the HIT program.
5. When Steps 1 - 3 have been accomplished, submit the completed Online HIT Admission Application, or obtain and submit a paper application to the Health Information Technology Office in the Health Professions Building Suite, 200A at 17200 Red Oak Drive.
6. Provide the department with three professional references (Example: employer, professor/instructor) and their contact information.
7. Submit an essay of at least 300 words discussing the following: (a) provide an overview of the health information management profession, (b) discuss a trend in healthcare or health information management profession, (c) discuss why you are interested in becoming a health information management professional and (d) discuss your plans of being successful in the program. The essay can be sent by email to Viseeta.K.Brown@LoneStar.edu,  drop it off at the Health Professions Building, Suite 200A at 17200 Red Oak Drive, or fax it to 281-943-6854.
8. Complete program FERPA form and either email it to Viseeta.K.Brown@LoneStar.edu, drop it off at the Health Professions Building, Suite 200A, at 17200 Red Oak Drive, or fax it to 281 943-6854.
9. The Health Information Technology AAS Degree online application will be available May 1 through July 30.

Applicants seeking admission into the Health Information Technology AAS degree program must successfully complete the background check. For more information please see the HIT department webpage. A drug screen may also be required based on terms of our clinical affiliation agreement. Information on approved vendors will be provided by the program director. Students may be required to show proof of immunizations such as tetanus and MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella). Students may also be required to document negative results from a tuberculosis test. Applicants must cover the cost of the background check, immunizations and drug screen if required by clinical affiliates.

Program Accreditation

The Associate of Applied Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Program accreditation allows AAS degree graduates to apply for certification examination to become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT).

Program Outcomes

• Graduation Rate: Based on graduate surveys of students completing the program for the 2016-2017 academic year, all students surveyed reported a 100% satisfaction rate. Graduates indicated that the program prepared them with the skills to perform as an HIM professional. Based on employer surveys from 2016-2017, 100% of respondents indicated they are satisfied with graduates from the Lone Star College – North Harris Health Information Technology Program.
• Job Placement: 80% of respondents to a graduate survey indicated they were able to find employment within one year of program completion.
• Pass Rate (8/1/16-7/31/17) (First Attempt): 100% (3/3)