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Health Information Technology

What is HIT?

Few occupations are growing more quickly than Health Information Technology (HIT) and Health Information Management (HIM). Data that once was collected and submitted as paper documents is now being completed via computer and stored in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Management Systems (EMRs). Medical billing and coding professionals work closely with EHR and EMR systems to ensure accurate data collection and reimbursement for physicians and healthcare facilities.

Location

Online
To learn more about online education: Email pcc-pimaonlineadvising@pima.edu to contact an advisor.

Contact Information

Division of Business and IT
Dean: 520-206-7694
Department Head/Program Director: 520-206-2262

List of Degrees

AAS - Associate of Applied Science

List of Certificates

List of FastTracks

Job Growth

Job growth for Health Information Technicians in Pima County through 2029 is projected to be 37%. The Pima County overall job growth rate is 17%. Source: Arizona Career Information System
37%
Rate of Job Growth
Health Information Technicians and Medical Billers and Coders are responsible for ensuring that data is recorded properly, securely stored, and can be retrieved quickly and accurately, so patients can receive the best-possible care. Critical federal regulations and compliance standards, such as HIPAA and HITECH, are at the forefront of this program’s curriculum so security and privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI) ensure HIT and HIM professional career readiness.
You are a good fit for these HIT programs if you are detail-oriented, interested in healthcare operations, and are willing to learn and understand the complex rules and systems underlying the profession.

The Medical Billing and Coding (MB&C) Certificate program consists of approximately 30 credit hours and leads into the HIT Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree program consisting of 60 credit hours.

Half of the HIT AAS degree is complete after finishing the MB&C Certificate. All students who seek the HIT AAS degree will also earn the MB&C Certificate.

  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) in an office setting
  • Revenue cycle finance practices
  • Privacy laws such as HIPAA and HITECH
  • Health insurance

Yes, degree-seeking students will take part in a 144-hour internship that involves real-world experience through work-site, remote position, or project-based study.

 

These programs prepare students for professional certification exams offered by:

  • American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
  • American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Credentialing exam opportunities include:

  • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through AAPC
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) through AHIMA
  • Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the NHA
  • Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) through the NHA.

HIT professionals can work in:

  • Doctors’ offices
  • Third-party billing service companies
  • Hospitals and healthcare facilities
  • The health insurance industry

Earning a Medical Billing and Coding and/or Health Information Technology Associates of Applied Science Degree qualifies you for positions including:

  • Medical Biller
  • Medical Coder
  • Front Desk Receptionist
  • Scheduler
  • Pre-Access Coordinator
  • Coding Auditor
  • Medical Records Specialist
  • Registration Coordinator
  • Accounts Receivable/Payable

www.pima.edu/hit

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