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Online Associate Degree in
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Historically, patients’ medical histories were recorded and stored in paper files and folders… But now a new government initiative aims to completely replace the outdated paper-based system with new technology. Northwestern College’s online AAS degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) will give you the skills and knowledge you need to code, update, and organize electronic files and records as a Healthcare Information Technician.
You can feel confident that Northwestern College offers quality courses and training: the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Accreditation is required to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam.
What Exactly Does a Health Information Technician Do?
Every time someone gets a physical, breaks a leg, or is diagnosed with a disease, a permanent record is created. This record lists the attending physician’s diagnosis, lab tests, treatments, and notes. The Health Information Technician is a critical link between physicians and this medical administration and history. It is the Health Information Technician who is ultimately responsible for the organization, completeness, and accuracy of all medical coding. The technician assembles, updates, and codes a patient’s medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services into a state-of-the-art database. In addition, the technician has to regularly communicate with physicians to verify accuracy, clarify a diagnosis, or to obtain supplementary information needed to update a file.
A Flexible, Portable Career Choice
With a degree in Health Information Technology from Northwestern College, you have the choice of working at a wide range of professional settings, including hospitals, outpatient care facilities, insurance companies, university health centers, and public health organizations.
The Northwestern College HIT program will prepare you to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam. RHIT credentials help support advancement to management positions. Many Registered Health Information Technicians choose to work part-time. Few professional careers offer you this much flexibility.
Why is Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) Important?
A degree from a school accredited by CAHIIM is a requirement to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). This accreditation signals commitment to the highest standards in health care and quality training on industry regulations. Employers recognize RHIT certification as the sign of a highly trained, well-prepared professional.
Request more information or call us at (866) 491-2195. Our admissions representatives are ready to answer any questions you might have about the online AAS degree in Health Information Technology.
Everything is going great! I’m very happy with the way things are turning out and coming together. It was a little struggle in the beginning but I’ve overcome it with your help and the help of my professors. Returning back to school after 25 years; it’s been great! I’m very happy!
Sherry Williams
Criminal Justice Program
