Health Information Technology, A.S.

The Health Information Technology AS degree program is an open access program which means you may begin the program during the Fall/Spring semesters. It is highly suggested to meet with the Business Program advisor and/or program director for guidance. Knowledge and being comfortable working with Microsoft Word, Power Point, Access and/or Excel is preferred for the student’s success.

The following requirements must be completed prior to taking HIM1000:

• CGS1101 or the equivalent as Microsoft applications are used throughout the HIT program (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• • Biomedical courses such as BSC2085 and BSC2086 plus labs and/or HSC 2531 is highly suggested to take prior to taking coding courses or as co-requisites.
• Current CPR card and resume (additional requirements apply for CAPSTONE professional practice experience placements)
• College level math; STA2023 is strongly recommended.
• All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by SF.
• All students who graduate with an A.S. in Health Information Technology and has successfully passed STA2023 will receive the A.S. degree, the Revenue Cycle Management Medical Coder biller certificate, and the Data Management Analytics (DMA) certificate.
• Students can pursue two programs at the same time, such as an A.S. degree and an A.A. degree, or a primary degree and an alternate certificate and/or degree.

Placement testing is optional for students who graduated from a Florida public school in 2007 or after. Placement testing is required for students who graduated from a Florida high school prior to 2007, attended a private high school, attended an out-of-state high school, or earned a GED. Additionally, students who completed college level English and Math courses with a grade of "C" or better or who have earned an Associate in Arts degree or higher are exempt from placement testing.

DRC and Testing Accommodations

Requests for testing accommodations must be made in advance with the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) located on the Northwest Campus. Please be prepared to provide documentation of disability to the DRC when making the request. Contact 352-395-4400v/TTY for further assistance. 

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs:

• Florida Residents:
  • $106.77 per credit hour x 70 credit hours = $7,473.90

• Non-Florida Residents:
  • $382.90 per credit hour x 70 credit hours = $26,803.00

Does not include books, lab fees, etc.

Program Data Elements:

• Required Immunizations, Hepatitis B vaccine* (Cost estimate based upon physical and full immunization/titer panel offered by SF Student Health Center. Costs for other health care providers may vary. Titers available through Alachua Co Public Health Dept. for $20 blood draw fee. Allow 10-14 days for results.)
  • The first shot in the Hepatitis B vaccine series must be taken a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the first semester of professional course work. The second shot should be taken a minimum of 30 days following the administration of the first one. The final shot is taken 5 months after the 2nd injection. HepB series can be declined by signing a declination statement. Up to $300
• American Heart Association BLS/CPR card (2 person infant/child). Health care provider course required; on line BLS/CPR training not accepted. $55
• Flu vaccinations (2) Up to $40
• Level 2 National Background Screening Up to $68
• National Certification Exam (AHIMA) Fee (depending on being a member/certification) Up to $300 depending on certification and/or if taking more than one certification
• SF Health information Technology/Management Programs recognize only current American Heart Association Basic Lifesaver for Health care Professionals BLS/CPR certification (2 person, infant/child). Certification is required by the beginning of the program and cannot expire prior to graduation. BLS/CPR instruction must be from an instructor-led course. Online BLS/CPR certification or training will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to have health insurance in accordance with the Affordable Care Act by the beginning of the program. Up to $55
• Potential PPE site expenses, hotel, meals, transportation Up to $200

For more information, please visit Tuition Costs and Due Dates.

Scholarships:

• Career and Technical Education Scholarships
• There are many other scholarships available for SF students. Please visit the college's Scholarships page for more information and how to apply.
• Check out the AHIMA, FHIMA and NEFHIMA websites for scholarship opportunities.

Financial Aid:

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.

Policies and procedures for withdrawal and for refunds of tuition/fees:

For more information, please visit Petitions to Adjust Student Record 

Student grievance procedure:

For more information, please visit Grievance / Appeals.

Typical Job Titles:

AHIMA Career Map (80+ HIM professional roles that cross all healthcare/business sectors) represented in four categories:  Coding and Revenue Cycle, Data Analytics, Informatics, Information Governance. See featured health information management jobs. Just to name a few:

• Insurance Claims Specialist
• Patient Care Coordinator
• E-HIIM Project Manager
• Information Security Officer
• Office Manager
• Medical Credentialing Specialist
• Mapping Specialist
• Coding Professional
• Release of Information Specialist
• HIM Revenue Cycle Analyst
• Data Architect
• Clinical Information Coordinator

Salary Range:

Department of Labor

• Medical Records & Health Information Technicians - 2021 Median Pay:
• • $55,560 per year  
  • $26.71 per hour     

AHIMA US Salary Survey Report: 

• HIM Professionals in 2019 - Average Salary by Years of Experience:
  • 0-1 years: $44,530
  • 1-2 years: $47,290
  • 3-4 years: $51,110
  • 5-6 years: $52,400
  • 7-10 years: $59,770
  • 11-20 years: $70,080
  • 21-30 years: $81,510
• Salary By AHIMA Credential:
  • CCA - $53,790
  • CCS - $79,060
  • CCS-P - $77,790
  • RHIT - $70,300
  • RHIA - $91,450
  • CHDA - $92,100
  • CDIP - $93,770
  • CHPS - $100,560

The program is thankful for the 40+ industry partners who host SF College Health Information Technology Students.

(Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando)

2018 AHIMA Health Information Management Curricula Competencies

Each academic level is comprised of six common domains representing the areas of mastery important for all HIM students and practitioners regardless of academic degree.

Domain I. Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance 
Domain II. Information Protection: Access, Use, Disclosure, Privacy, and Security 
Domain III. Informatics, Analytics, and Data Use 
Domain IV. Revenue Cycle Management 
Domain V. Health Law & Compliance   
Domain VI. Organizational Management & Leadership 

At the associate degree level, programs can choose one or both specialty tracks which include Data Management and Revenue Management.

Competencies are broadly written to allow for program flexibility and attainment of the required Bloom’s levels regardless of academic program. The competencies represent progression across all academic levels.

Program Learning Outcome (PLO) Summary (AHIMA 38 Competencies across AS curriculum)

PLO1: Students will apply policies, regulations, and standards to the management of information strategies to achieve data integrity.

PLO2: Students will identify compliance requirements through the health information life cycle all while applying privacy and security strategies.

PLO3: Students will apply health informatics/data analytics concepts to the management of health information through the utilization of technologies, databases all while supporting the secure electronic exchange of data to promote quality of healthcare.

PLO4: Students will validate assignment of diagnostic and procedure codes and groupings in accordance with official guidelines, regulatory requirements all while contributing to the revenue cycle management and clinical documentation improvement processes.

PLO5: Students will apply legal processes impacting health information by demonstrating compliance with external forces and identifying the components of risk management related to health information management.

PLO6: Students will demonstrate fundamental leadership skills by identifying the impact of organizational change, workforce training, human resource strategies for organizational best practices by utilizing data -driven performance improvement techniques for decision making and financial management processes.

Supporting Knowledge Courses:

• BSC2085 and BSC2086 and labs Anatomy/Physiology
• HSC2531 Medical Terminology
• STA2023 Statistics (Math)
• CGS1101 Computer Applications
• 5 Gen Ed courses

Lawful and Non-Discriminatory Practices:

All activities associated with the program, including student and faculty recruitment, student admission, and faculty employment practices, must be non-discriminatory and in accordance with federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations.

Program Length:

• Credit hours: 70
• Time to completion: 2 years (full-time), 3-4 years (part-time)

Need C or higher in all coursework including PPE courses to graduate

All students are urged to make an appointment to see Santa Fe's Business Programs Advisor once each semester to ensure that adequate progress toward a degree is being made. All students must apply for graduation upon enrollment in their last semester of coursework.

Format:

• Online

Curriculum:

Academic Calendar:

For more information, please visit Calendar and Critical Dates.

The Health Information Technology Program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Business Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center for determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

HIT Program students should possess the following general qualities: critical thinking, sound judgment, written/verbal professional communication, emotional stability and maturity, empathy, physical and mental stamina, and the ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings. Graduates of the HIT Program must have the minimal skills, essential functions, and knowledge to function in a broad variety of clinical settings.

•  Attribute
  • Standard
    • Example
• Critical Thinking
  • Critical thinking sufficient for business, clinical and technical judgment.
    • Interpret medical records, regulations, data analysis, technology in order to process and make better clinical and business decisions.
• Interpersonal
  • Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with internal and external stakeholders from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
    • Communicate and present effectively, appropriately, and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communication
  • Ability to effectively communicate sufficiently with internal and external stakeholders in a verbal and written form.
    • Communicate effectively, appropriately and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders. Gather, manager, analyze, protect and secure information responsible for treatment, operations and payment for organization.  The student must be able to read, write, see, speak, hear and interpret written and verbal communication in English.
• Mobility
  • Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places.
    • Perform complex motor skills necessary to provide sufficient management, security, protection, analysis of information that contributes to clinical, business and technological aspects of organization.  Be able to sufficiently and adequately contribute to the treatment, operations and payment for services rendered.
• Tactile and Motor Skills
  • Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform functions that affiliate with treatment, operations and payment of services provided.
    • Possess fine and gross motor skills to accurately assess, monitor, gather, secure, protect health information for treatment, operations and payment for services rendered.
• Hearing
  • Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health information, business and technology needs.
    • Hear to accurately assess vital signs, monitor equipment, alarms and alerts; communicate verbally with patients, family, staff and other healthcare providers.
• Visual
  • Visual ability sufficient to gather, interpret, manage, secure information for data analysis, medical coding so effectively and successfully perform business and technological practices through treatment, operations and payment of services provided. 
    • Read patient charts, flow sheets and equipment; use visual inspection to monitor and assess business, clinical and technological aspects of treatment, operations and payment of services provided. 

Technical Standards
The goal of the Santa Fe College's Health Information Technology (HIT) Program is to prepare students for the practice of acquiring, managing, analyzing, and securing health information for the purposes of treatment, payment and operations (TPO) of any organization.  The HIM professional is an allied health profession who brings value to any organization. 

Modern allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills, functions, and professional attitudes and behavior. The college must ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical, or emotional functions. Students will be judged not only on their scholastic accomplishments but also on their physical and emotional capacities to meet the full requirements of the college’s curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners.

Students in the Health Information Technology Program must demonstrate the following minimum abilities to:

• Acquire and apply information from classroom instruction, laboratory experience, independent learning, and team projects.
• Communicate effectively in English in oral and written form with colleagues, clerical employees in Health Information Management departments and other health professionals as part of the healthcare team.
• Communicate effectively in English in oral and written form with patients, attorneys, workers’ compensation representatives, insurance companies, and other third-party payers and other individuals and agencies who need information from patient records or databases maintained in Health Information Management departments.
• Computers and complete computer-based assignments in a timely fashion.
• Function (consult, negotiate, share) as part of a team.
• Read, interpret, comprehend material used in HIM settings such as coding manuals, policies and procedures, patient medical records.
• Calculate mathematical information such as hospital statistics, budgets, and productivity information.
• Have the manual dexterity necessary to file medical records and cards as well as assemble paper medical record forms. (E H R and paper medical records)
• Have the visual and manual dexterity necessary to prepare office layouts and to design forms and computer screens.
• Operate equipment, word processors, transcription equipment, electronic movable files, copier, etc. (E H R and paper medical records)
• Synthesize information regarding health care outcomes for formal, verbal and/or written presentation to health care professionals.

The essential abilities listed in this document can be accomplished through direct student response, the use of prosthetic or orthotic devices or through personal assistance, e.g., readers, sign language interpreters, note-takers. Reasonable accommodation in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be provided on an individual basis. Students seeking accommodations should initiate their request with the Disabilities Resource Center, Santa Fe College. Students will then discuss their needs with the appropriate course instructor(s).

Professional Appearance: Students must abide by specific professional appearance requirements while in the program. These requirements have been agreed upon by SF College and its clinical partners. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Completely shaved or bald styles are acceptable; however, not partially shaved or one-sided haircuts are permitted. Visible tattoos must always be covered. Visible body piercings are not allowed, and earlobe gauges must be covered. Earrings are limited to one stud-style pair per ear. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short. Artificial nails, nail polish, jewelry, watches, and perfume are not permitted.  Professionalism is to be maintained throughout the program, professional practice experience and beyond. Remember, you represent YOU, the program, and the college.

2021-2022

98% Healthcare Job Placement Post-graduation
100% Employer Satisfaction
100% Student Satisfaction
100% RHIT Exam Pass Rate (first time takers)
70% AHIMA national average pass rate
100% Graduate rate