Health Information Technology/Medical Records: A.A.S.

Program Mission

The mission of the Health Information Management/Medical Records Program is to prepare confident, innovative, contributing professionals who can identify and use a variety of information resources and technologies to accomplish the objectives of diverse practice environments. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become self-directed learners who possess critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as communication and interpersonal skills. It instills a commitment to life-long learning and important ethical values. As practitioners, graduates of this program will serve society and the profession through collaborative practice, innovative teaching, and the generation and application of new knowledge about health information management.

Program Learning Outcomes

Maintain health record systems consistent with medical, legal, ethical, and administrative requirements;
Interpret and implement various regulations of the modern health care delivery systems;
Apply scientific standards in analyzing and evaluating health records;
Compile various statistical reports and analyze and validate data;
Code diseases, operations, and procedures;
Design, select, implement, and evaluate departmental operations and information systems;
Monitor healthcare reimbursement systems by analyzing case-mix payment rates to determine reimbursement optimization;
Maintain and utilize a variety of health record indexes, storage, and retrieval systems;
Understand the importance of confidential communications and apply the principles of release of information;
Develop and maintain the electronic health record;
Show proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
Score at or above the national average on all RHIT examination competencies.
Establish and maintain continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

Health information management professionals hold many diverse roles, yet all share a common purpose: providing reliable and valid information that drives the healthcare industry. They are specialists in working with health information systems, managing medical records, and coding information for reimbursement and research. Health information management professionals are uniquely qualified to:

Ensure health information is complete and available to legitimate users
Code and classify data for reimbursement
Analyze information necessary for decision support
Protect patient privacy and provide information security
Enhance the quality and uses for data within healthcare
Administer health information computer systems
Comply with standards and regulations regarding health information
Prepare health data for accreditation surveys
Analyze clinical data for research and public policy

HIT professionals play a key role in the planning, implementation and management of the electronic health record (EHR). As a Health Information Technician, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality of medical records, checking them for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate entry into computer systems in a multitude of healthcare settings. You might specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for billing and reimbursement or research.

The program includes a clinical practicum (professional practice) experience, and is designed for students planning on entering the workforce immediately, as well as for those looking to upgrade skills or change direction. It awards the Associate in Applied Science ( A.A.S.) degree and prepares students to transfer, if they wish to pursue a Baccalaureate Degree in Health Information Management.

Program Notes

There are dedicated faculty members in the department who are credentialed professionals and strive to provide a quality education to our students. We have clinical affiliations with many types of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, long term care and home health care facilities, mental health organizations, and large group physician practices. Our goal as a department is not only to prepare students for their RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) certification exam and to provide the technical basis for employment, but also to mold graduates into the professional health information technician who sees the value, IMPORTANCE, and confidentiality of the patient’s health information and the vital role they play in contributing to quality patient care.

Outcome Measures

The following HIT program outcome measures are for academic year 2017-2018:

RHIT Certification Exam Pass Rate - 81%
Graduate Satisfaction Rate - 100%
Employer Satisfaction Rate - 100%

Course Requirements

100% of this program can be completed online.

Contact Information

New Students:

Contact Admissions +1 (607) 778-5001, admissions@sunybroome.edu

Current Students:

Holly R. Jones
+1 (607) 778-5063
joneshr@sunybroome.edu
Decker Center Room 217

‘The future is open’: Sowmya finds a new career in Health Information Technology Read her story Andy Robertshaw smiling

Andy’s story: Starting his last semester – with a job in HIT Read the full story

Transfer Opportunities

The program includes a clinical practicum (professional practice) experience. This program is designed for students planning on entering the workforce immediately, and for those looking to upgrade skills or to change direction. It awards the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and prepares students to transfer if they wish to pursue a Baccalaureate Degree in Health Information Management.

Many SUNY Broome graduates transfer on to SUNY Polytechnic Institute at Utica.