Health Information Technology AAS DegreeASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

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.

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.

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.

A certificate in coding prepares the technician to assign a code to a medical diagnosis or procedure. Medical coders consult classification manuals and rely on their knowledge of disease processes to assign codes. After completion of the certificate, students will be certified as a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) after successfully passing the exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

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. 

Job opportunities

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. 

Students admitted to the program will be required to pay liability insurance during the semesters involving off-campus practicums or internships.

Accreditation information

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).

The coding certificate is currently approved by the AHIMA Academic Affairs Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP).

The PCAP approval identifies coding education programs which have been evaluated by a peer review process against national minimum standards for entry-level coding professionals. This process allows academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and private companies to be acknowledged as providing an approved coding certificate program.

Program accreditation allows coding certificate graduates to apply for certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

Admission Criteria:  Coding Certificate and Health Information Technology A.A.S. Degree

In order to be considered for admission to the HIT program, students must meet the Texas State Initiative (TSI) 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 the Admission Criteria by clicking the button below:

   Admission Criteria

    
2. Complete a Lone Star College admission online application. To do so, please visit the Lone Star College admissions page.
3. Review the Statement of Responsibility. You will be required to sign and comply with this statement each semester while attending classes at Lone Star College.
4. REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS from all previously attended colleges and/or universities sent to:  

   Lone Star College – North Harris
   ATTN: Admissions
   2700 W.W. Thorne Dr., Ste. 109
   Houston, TX 77073
   Transcripts must be on file with admissions prior to admission to the HIT program.
   Note: Effective Fall 2012 for all Health Occupations Programs, Math placement scores on Compass, ASSET, Accuplacer, and THEA will be valid for three (3) years.

5. Submit a program application available online March 1 through July 30^th (Apply Now)
6. Applicants seeking admission into the Health Information Technology AAS degree program must successfully complete the background check.  A drug screen may also be required based on terms of our clinical affiliation agreement. Click here for form.

For more information please see the HIT department webpage. 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.

The Health Information Technology A.A.S. Degree and Coding Certificate program applications are available online March 1st through July 30th

Applicants seeking admission into the Health Information Technology A.A.S. degree program must successfully complete a background check and drug screen, as required based on the terms of our clinical affiliation agreement.  The background check is completed through Castlebranch.com, using the package code of HM44BG. For more information, please see the HIT departmental webpage. Students may be required to show proof of immunizations, such as tetanus and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). Students may also be required to document negative results from a tuberculosis test. Applicants must cover the cost of the background, drug screen and immunizations 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)

For careers and median salaries, visit Career Star for more information.