Associate of Science in Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses and other health care providers rely on to deliver quality health care. They are experts in:

Managing access to patient health information and electronic health records
Establishing policies to protect patient health data and comply with federal, state and local regulations
Utilizing computer information systems
Coding the diagnosis and procedures for health care services provided to patients
Reviewing medical claims data and managing the revenue cycle.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 22 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages."

Health Information Technology professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry:

Hospitals
Clinics
Nursing homes
Doctors' offices
Home health agencies
Medical coding and auditing companies
Insurance companies
Government agencies
Release of information companies
Health information computer system companies
The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology degree is an AHIMA/CAHIIM accredited 70-credit hour program. The curriculum includes a combination of classroom, laboratory, and professional practice experiences. General Education and some Program Specific coursework may be taken on various campuses but the Health Information Technology core courses are only offered on the Thomas Edison Campus.

There are three professional practice experience (internship) courses in the Health Information Technology Program. Students will be assigned to a specific health care facility or virtual lab simulation for the completion of these experiences. Applicants should note the following in regards to these internships:

Student assignment to facilities or lab simulation is made by the Health Information Technology Program Director and is based upon site availability.

Facilities will be selected from within the Southwest Florida region which includes Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hendry, Glades and Sarasota Counties.

Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from their assigned professional practice sites.

Professional Practice Experiences can only be completed on weekdays.

Graduates of the HIT program at FSW are eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).