Health Information Technology A.A.S. (Plan 21HM)

This is a limited enrollment program. Students are required to meet the screening requirements in effect at the time of screening. Students who screen and are accepted into a limited enrollment program will be required to complete the curriculum that is in place at the time of entrance into the program. If students who screen are not granted admission, they must rescreen and satisfy all screening and curriculum requirements in place for a future program start. See Joint Agreements section for more information about the CAREERS agreement.

 SCREENING DEADLINE: FIRST WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY

The field of health information provides a wide variety of professional opportunities in the health care industry. Health information is a unique profession that incorporates clinical, information technology and management skills, giving graduates the background to work in a range of health care settings. Courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical science lay the foundation for the program, which focuses on collecting, maintaining, retrieving, and analyzing the health information of patients. Students also learn the legal aspects of health information, statistics, coding and reimbursement methods, health care quality improvement techniques, as well as health records management.

 Graduates of CLC’s Health Information Technology Program include coding professionals, health information department managers, cancer registrars, nursing home consultants, clinical documentation specialists, medical billers, and medical office managers, among others. Work settings include hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, insurance companies, professional associations, nursing homes, and medical billing services.

 For students interested in health care, but not direct patient care, health information technology prepares students for a satisfying and rewarding career in health care and related fields.

To complete an A.A.S., students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Success Advisor to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements.

ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION

The Health Information Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to write for the certification examination of the American Health Information Management Association for the designation RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician).

 ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Many courses are available in the evening; however, to complete the degree some day- only classes are required.

 Interested students may take HIT 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 131, 132, 171, 215 and 271 prior to being admitted to the program; however, the number of students admitted to the Professional Practice Experience (HIT 212 and HIT 213) each year is limited. Therefore, a screening procedure is used to select the academically best qualified from those who request consideration. Preference is given to residents of CLC’s district, or a community college district which does not offer a Health Information Technology program and is a member of the CAREER consortium. Students who live outside of CLC’s district but are eligible for in-district tuition because they are employed by a district employer are NOT considered residents of the district for purposes of selection into the program. Students should seek admission to the Health Information Technology Program the year prior to enrolling in HIT 212. (e.g., If you expect to take HIT 212 in Fall 2025, apply by February 2024.) If you are accepted into the program and do not enroll in HIT 212 as scheduled, CLC will attempt to accommodate the schedule change but there is no guarantee you will be permitted to enroll in HIT 212 in subsequent years. Please review the admission requirements that are listed below.

 To be considered for admission to the Health Information Technology Program, students must complete the following screening requirements prior to the screening deadline.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THE WELCOME AND ONE-STOP CENTER:

1. Student Information Form

2. Official high school transcript with graduation date OR Official GED test scores OR Official college transcripts with graduation date and degree awarded OR Official foreign high school or college transcript evaluated by a NACES approved agency

3. Health Information Technology Program Request for Screening Form

4. If using courses from another college to meet prerequisites or degree requirements, submit an official transcript and a “Request for Evaluation of Prior College Transcripts” form to the Office of Registrar and Records.

MINIMUM SELECTION CRITERIA: STUDENT RECORDS MUST INDICATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. High school graduate or equivalent or high school senior in last term

2. College Reading and Writing Readiness and Basic Algebra Readiness

3. CLC Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above

4. NLN PAX with minimum composite RN percentile rank of 50 (within 3 years prior to the screening deadline)

5. Attendance at a Health Information Technology Information Session (within two years of the screening deadline) 

Note: Applicants may take the NLN PAX exam once every 90 days (approximately three months). NLN PAX exam results that are less than 90 days between exams will not be considered. Scores used for screening into the HIT program will be valid for only 3 years prior to a screening deadline. Scores older than 3 years will not be considered for screening. Visit www.nlnonlinetesting.org for available test dates and times or visit the Health Information Technology webpage at www.clcillinois.edu/programs/hit. Instructions for registering for the test are available on the webpage.

Students who are selected for the program are required to undergo a background check and a urine drug screen. The results of the background check and drug screen may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program. The costs are borne by the student

Students who are selected for the program are required to attend a mandatory orientation session. Failure to attend the mandatory orientation session may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program and the next qualified student on the list will be selected in his/her place.

Students must earn a grade of “C“ or better” in all HIT and BIO courses.