Health Information Technology

Nature of Work

The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) performs a variety of technical health information functions including:

• Organizing, analyzing, and technically evaluating health information.
• Compiling various administrative and health statistics.
• Controlling the use and release of health information.
• Coding disease operations, procedures, and other therapies.

The career opportunities are endless. Depending on your level of skill and education, you may pursue a middle level management or department director position. Potential employment locations may include:

• Acute Care Hospital
• Long Term Care
• Ambulatory/Outpatient Care
• Governmental Agency
• Insurance Company
• Law Firm
• Physician's Office
• Consulting Firm
• Computer Company

Program Description

The Health Information Technology Program (HIT) is an Associate of Applied Science Degree and is designed for the working student. The majority of students are part time and carry 6-7 credit hours per semester while continuing to work full time. The program courses are generally offered in the late afternoon and evening with some weekends.

The HIT program will transfer into related Health Care Administrative programs or Baccalaureate Health Information Management programs depending on the receiving university.

Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of College of Southern Nevada is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2029.  All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to:

 (CAHIIM)
200 East Randolph Street
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL, 60601
(312) 235-3255
info@cahiim.org
www.cahiim.org

Program Outcomes

• CSN HIT AAS Degree Graduation Rate*
  100% for 2022-2023
• Employment Rate*
  100%
• Student Satisfaction Rate*
  100%
  *Student Surveys sent/received in Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Health Information Technology (AAS) Requirements

• Health Information Technology Advising Sheet
• Health Information Technology Career Guide
• Health Information Technology Selection Criteria

Note: Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these Essential Functions of HIT Students. Students with documented need for accommodation are to meet with the Disability Resources Center.

Admission Requirements

This is a Limited Entry Program. Therefore, an application for admission must be submitted by the application deadline and all prerequisite requirements must be completed by the completion deadline in order to be eligible for consideration. This material is reviewed using selection criteria set by the program. Applicants are notified of their standing by the Limited Entry office.

Find out how to apply to this program through the Limited Entry Office.

Student's First Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Getting Started page. This page provides information on the registration process for new students seeking a Limited Entry Health Science Degree or Certificate.

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.

Nature of Work

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) applies codes to classify medical data and insure proper reimbursement for health care services. A CCS is recognized as beyond entry level in analyzing medical records, assigning and sequencing codes. Some of the responsibilities routinely performed by a CCS include:

• Analyze health records.
• Assign classification codes to diagnoses, surgical procedures and therapies.
• Analyze levels of reimbursement for health care providers.
• Sequence classification codes in accordance with federal and state guidelines.

The majority of Certified Coding Specialists are employed in Acute Care Hospitals.

Program Description

The Medical Coding program is designed for the working student. The majority of students are part-time and carry 6-7 credit hours per semester and continue to work full-time jobs. The program courses are generally offered in the late afternoon and evening with some weekends.

Medical Coding (CA) Requirements

• Medical Coding Advising Sheet
• Medical Coding Career Guide
• Medical Coding Selection Criteria

Note: Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these Essential Functions of HIT Students. Students with documented need for accommodation are to meet with the Disability Resources Center.

Admission Requirements

This is a Limited Entry Program. Therefore, an application for admission must be submitted by the application deadline and all prerequisite requirements must be completed by the completion deadline in order to be eligible for consideration. This material is reviewed using selection criteria set by the program. Applicants are notified of their standing by the Limited Entry office.

Find out how to apply to this program through the Limited Entry Office.

Student's First Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Getting Started page. This page provides information on the registration process for new students seeking a Limited Entry Health Science Degree or Certificate.

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.

Nature of Work

The Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) is a non-hands-on-patient care career. The CHDS is a medical language specialist who is skilled in transcribing medical dictation detailing a patient's health care during an illness. The CHDS performs a variety of functions including:

• Transcription of the medical dictation (such as history and physicals, discharge summaries, consultations, operative reports) recorded by physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other health professionals.
• Text editing of the dictated material.
• Supervision of staff.
• Registration of patients.
• Preparation of medical office correspondence.

The CHDS has many diverse employment opportunities from which to choose. The majority are employed in the following work settings:

• Hospitals
• Physician's Offices
• Transcription Services
• Independent Contractor / Home Based

Program Description
 

The Healthcare Documentation Specialist program is designed for the working student. The majority of students are part-time and carry 6-7 credit hours per semester while continuing to work full-time jobs. The program courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening with some weekends.

Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CA) Requirements
 

• Healthcare Documentation Specialist Advising Sheet
• Healthcare Documentation Specialist Career Guide

Note: Students are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these Essential Functions of Healthcare Documentation Specialist Students. Students with a documented need for accommodation are to meet with the Disability Resources Center.

Admission Requirements

CSNs Healthcare Documentation Specialist program is an Open Entry Program. Therefore, an application for admission is NOT required. Cross reference each required course with the College Catalog to verify any restrictions or course prerequisites before registering.

Students interested in this Certificate of Achievement may contact the program director for further information: Lorraine Brown at 702-651-7497 or email Lorraine Brown.

Student's First Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Open Entry Program Checklist. This checklist provides information on the registration process for new students seeking an Open-Entry Health Science Certificate of Achievement or Completion.

Find out how to Transfer Credits to CSN from other colleges.