Healthcare Information Technology
HIT FAQs
The Health Information Technology Program area has several offerings available. You can work towards any of the following once the student has met the basic admission requirements listed on the right hand side of this page.
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology
- Eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
A credentialed graduate of the Associate degree program earns an average salary of $30-45,000 per year depending on the place of employment and credentials earned.
Health Information Technology Medical Coding Diploma
- Graduates of the diploma program in medical coding may be eligible to write the national certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
- Graduates may also be eligible to sit for the Certified Professional Coder – Hospital based (CPC-H) examination offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
- Certified Coding Specialists typically earn $15.00 – $35.00 per hour.
Health Information Technology Certificate in Release of Information
- Release of Information Clerks or Health Information Specialists typically earn $10.00 – $14.00 per hour.
Health Information Technology Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding
- Graduates of the diploma program in medical coding may be eligible to write the national certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), or Certified Coding Specialist-Physician based (CCS-P) offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
- Graduates may also be eligible to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) examination offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
- Certified Coding Specialists typically earn $15.00 – $35.00 per hour.
Health Information Technology Certificate in Healthcare Informatics
- Graduates of the certificate program may be eligible to sit for the National Certification exam to earn the credential Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) offered by the American Health Information management Association (AHIMA) in the workforce role of Practice Workflow and Information Management Redesign (CHTS-PW)
- Graduates typically earn $12.00 – $20.00 per hour
What will you learn in the HIT Curriculum?
To be a health information professional, a graduate of an HIT program must be competent in a wide variety of subjects. The American Health Information Management Association has developed competencies that graduates of a CAHIIM accredited HIT program must possess in order to be successful on the national certification examination and as a practicing professional. Students should review these competencies to more fully understand what is involved in this profession and the required education that must be attained in order to be an HIT professional.
Students should pay close attention to the CAHIIM curricular competencies to be assured that the subject matter required in this profession meets their educational goals and career aspirations.
Students will complete coursework in supervising departmental functions, such as: classify, code and index diagnoses and procedures; coordinate information for cost control, quality management, statistics, marketing and planning; monitor governmental and non-governmental standards; facilitate research; and design system controls to monitor patient information security.
Applications are accepted continually and you may apply by visiting the MTCC Admissions website for specific instructions.
The maximum number of students the HIT Program intends to enroll is twenty (20) for a total of forty (40) students per year. We do not have a selective admissions policy at this time.
Yes. All students enrolled in the Health Information Technology Associate Degree, Diploma and Certificate in Medical Billing programs will complete a Professional Practice Experience which is the term used for clinical in the HIT Program. There are a variety of locations available and if necessary, we can attempt to obtain a site in the student’s geographical location (dependent upon availability and the meeting of criteria for the site).
The Associate degree program can be completed as a full time program or part time program; however, all students must complete the program within eleven (11) consecutive semesters. The Diploma and Certificate programs are designed for the working individual and can be completed on a part-time basis, but must be completed within seven (7) consecutive semesters.
Each program has a curriculum plan that is provided here on this website. Each student should follow the recommended semester schedule as outlined in the curriculum plan with the realization that coursework should be completed within eleven (11) consecutive semesters for the degree and seven (7) consecutive semesters for the diploma or certificate programs.
Yes, the HIT Program is identified as a hybrid program, meaning you will come to campus one to two times per week depending on your schedule. Students may take the science and general education courses at other colleges and transfer them to MTCC. Professional Practice Experience sites are arranged in the geographical area of the student’s home location, generally within a 40-60 mile commuting distance from MTCC.
While we cannot mandate the taking of this credentialing exam, the student must realize that the passing of this exam certifies the knowledge attained during this program and that most employers require this certification.
Please see the HIT Program Readmission policy to determine if you are eligible for readmission to the program.
Please see the HIT Program Transfer policy to determine if you are eligible for transfer into the program.