A student nurse works on an excel document on a computer

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: Pilita Stevens, pstevens4@pima.edu, 206-4139

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

Health Information Technology - AAS Degree

List of Certificates

Medical Billing & Coding - Certificate

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

Kelly O’Keefe

Master’s in Public Health

“I have more than 20 years' experience in both clinical/non-clinical healthcare and collegiate online education. I have a master’s of science in Public Health and am a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. My top focus is providing personal attention to students so they can succeed.”

Sherry Miller

Doctor of Management, Healthcare Leadership & Management

“After a 30+-year career in healthcare administration and 10+ years in higher education, I enjoy developing leaders for the healthcare industry and the organizations that support healthcare providers. My experience in information systems, medical billing & coding, healthcare compliance and privacy provides a unique overall focus for learners as they prepare for new and expanded careers.”

www.pima.edu/hit